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Cubs Whiff on Another One Against Cardinals in St Louis
Patrick GaddyMay 20, 2009
For the second consecutive night, Cubs starting pitching was very good and the bats were absent. Ryan Dempster had a great start and the Cubs made a small comeback in the top of the ninth only to come up short, falling 2-1 Wednesday night against the Cardinals and Chris Carpenter who was making his first start since coming off the disabled list.
Alfonso Soriano, mired in a mini slump as of late, started the game off with a strike out on three pitches. After Kosuke Fukudome drew a walk, Derrek Lee singled to center sending Fukudome to third.
That brought up Milton Bradley, who promptly grounded out to first ending the inning.
Ryan Dempster looked sharp most of the night and if not for a single to left by Albert Pujols in the bottom of the first, wouldn't even have needed any of his fielders.
Dempster took care of all three outs in the inning on his own, getting Colby Rasmus on strikes and inducing both Skip Schumaker and Yadier Molina to ground out back to the mound.
Pujols returned the favor in the top of the second inning when all three Cubs outs were ground-outs to first. Geovony Soto did manage to single in the inning, however Mike FonteNOT continued to struggle hitting one of the three on the ground to Pujols.
In the bottom of the second, Dempster set the Cardinals down in order. Chris Duncan grounded out to first, Nick Stavinoha struck out swinging, and Joe Thurston grounded out to first.
Soriano grounded out to third leading off the top of the third inning for the Cubs. Theriot then doubled to right, putting a Cub in scoring position for the third consecutive inning.
Fukudome then flied out to left on the first pitch and Lee struck out looking to end the inning and leave Theriot stranded at second base. The Cubs are now 0-4 with runners in scoring position at this point of the game—something that would come back to haunt them.
Dempster had another good inning in the bottom of the third, giving up just a bloop single to shallow center by Skip Schumaker.
Milton Bradley led off the top of the fourth with a walk and then continued the theme of Cubs mental mistakes, getting doubled off first base on a fly ball to left by FonteNOT.
Alfonso Soriano, mired in a mini slump as of late, started the game off with a strike out on three pitches. After Kosuke Fukudome drew a walk, Derrek Lee singled to center sending Fukudome to third.
That brought up Milton Bradley, who promptly grounded out to first ending the inning.
Ryan Dempster looked sharp most of the night and if not for a single to left by Albert Pujols in the bottom of the first, wouldn't even have needed any of his fielders.
Dempster took care of all three outs in the inning on his own, getting Colby Rasmus on strikes and inducing both Skip Schumaker and Yadier Molina to ground out back to the mound.
Pujols returned the favor in the top of the second inning when all three Cubs outs were ground-outs to first. Geovony Soto did manage to single in the inning, however Mike FonteNOT continued to struggle hitting one of the three on the ground to Pujols.
In the bottom of the second, Dempster set the Cardinals down in order. Chris Duncan grounded out to first, Nick Stavinoha struck out swinging, and Joe Thurston grounded out to first.
Soriano grounded out to third leading off the top of the third inning for the Cubs. Theriot then doubled to right, putting a Cub in scoring position for the third consecutive inning.
Fukudome then flied out to left on the first pitch and Lee struck out looking to end the inning and leave Theriot stranded at second base. The Cubs are now 0-4 with runners in scoring position at this point of the game—something that would come back to haunt them.
Dempster had another good inning in the bottom of the third, giving up just a bloop single to shallow center by Skip Schumaker.
Milton Bradley led off the top of the fourth with a walk and then continued the theme of Cubs mental mistakes, getting doubled off first base on a fly ball to left by FonteNOT.
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What are you thinking Milton? Which property to put a hotel on?
"I'm running on 3-1, running, stealing the base, I don't peek in, I don't pick up the coach, I don't pick up the ball, I get doubled off," Bradley said. "That's just inexcusable. I don't like making mistakes. I'm a perfectionist.
"When you're not swinging the bat, you can't make base running errors, you can't make defensive errors. You have to be on point, and we're just not on point."
"When you're not swinging the bat, you can't make base running errors, you can't make defensive errors. You have to be on point, and we're just not on point."
Soto then ended the inning with a fly ball to left.
The Cardinals scratched against Dempster in the bottom of the fourth.
Pujols led off the inning with a ringing double to center. After being sacrificed to third by Molina, he scored on a single to right by Chris Duncan. Dempster avoided further trouble in the inning getting Stavinoha to hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
It was more of the same theme for the Cubs against Chris Carpenter in the top of the fifth. Dempster, of all people, was the only batter to hit the ball—still grounding out the short stop. Bobby Scales and Soriano both struck out swinging.
St Louis would muster nothing against Dempster in the bottom of the fifth, going down in order. La Russa pulled another one of his head scratchers, sending Adam Wainwright in to pinch hit for Carpenter.
I know Carlos Zambrano pinch hits, but it's because he can hit. Wainwright is a .190 hitter.
K McClellan relieved Carpenter to start the Cubs' half of the sixth inning and things didn't get any better for Chicago. After Theriot grounded back to the mound on the first pitch (New pitcher, maybe you wanna take one, Ryan), Fukudome was hit by the first pitch.
Lee and Bradley would promptly kill the inning striking out. Lee of the swinging variety and Bradley looking.
The Cards would get something going against Dempster in the bottom of the sixth. Rasmus doubled to right with one out and Pujols was intentionally walked. He then got Yadier Molina to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
McClellan made easy work of the Cubs in the seventh. FonteNOT grounded out to second. Soto popped out to second and Scales flied out to left.
Dempster got into quick trouble in the bottom of the seventh, giving up what would turn out to be the game-winning run.
After getting ahead of Duncan 0-2, Dempster gave up a lead off double. Brian Barden then sacrificed Duncan to third, where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Khalil Greene.
Miles led off the top of the eighth for the Cubs with a single to left. Soriano then struck out swinging for the third time this game. Theriot flew out to right and Fukudome struck out to end the inning.
Carlos Marmol replaced Dempster to start the bottom of the eighth. Marmol set the Cardinals down in order, ending with Pujols popping out to Soto.
Ryan Franklin came on to start the ninth inning for the Cardinals.
Lee flew out to right leading off. After Bradley bunted foul trying to find anyway to get on base, I think Lou put a "don't ever do that again" sign out there and Bradley doubled to left. FonteNOT then flied out to center, making things look bleak for the Cubs.
They wouldn't die though. Soto drew a walk and Lou sent Micah Hoffpauir up to pinch hit for Scales. Hoffpauir singled to right scoring Bradley and sending Ryan Freel (pinch running for Soto) to third as the tying run.
However the Cubs' hopes died with Reed Johnson, flailing at pitches way out of the zone, struck out to end the game.
Final Score: Cardinals 2, Cubs 1
The Cardinals scratched against Dempster in the bottom of the fourth.
Pujols led off the inning with a ringing double to center. After being sacrificed to third by Molina, he scored on a single to right by Chris Duncan. Dempster avoided further trouble in the inning getting Stavinoha to hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
It was more of the same theme for the Cubs against Chris Carpenter in the top of the fifth. Dempster, of all people, was the only batter to hit the ball—still grounding out the short stop. Bobby Scales and Soriano both struck out swinging.
St Louis would muster nothing against Dempster in the bottom of the fifth, going down in order. La Russa pulled another one of his head scratchers, sending Adam Wainwright in to pinch hit for Carpenter.
I know Carlos Zambrano pinch hits, but it's because he can hit. Wainwright is a .190 hitter.
K McClellan relieved Carpenter to start the Cubs' half of the sixth inning and things didn't get any better for Chicago. After Theriot grounded back to the mound on the first pitch (New pitcher, maybe you wanna take one, Ryan), Fukudome was hit by the first pitch.
Lee and Bradley would promptly kill the inning striking out. Lee of the swinging variety and Bradley looking.
The Cards would get something going against Dempster in the bottom of the sixth. Rasmus doubled to right with one out and Pujols was intentionally walked. He then got Yadier Molina to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
McClellan made easy work of the Cubs in the seventh. FonteNOT grounded out to second. Soto popped out to second and Scales flied out to left.
Dempster got into quick trouble in the bottom of the seventh, giving up what would turn out to be the game-winning run.
After getting ahead of Duncan 0-2, Dempster gave up a lead off double. Brian Barden then sacrificed Duncan to third, where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Khalil Greene.
Miles led off the top of the eighth for the Cubs with a single to left. Soriano then struck out swinging for the third time this game. Theriot flew out to right and Fukudome struck out to end the inning.
Carlos Marmol replaced Dempster to start the bottom of the eighth. Marmol set the Cardinals down in order, ending with Pujols popping out to Soto.
Ryan Franklin came on to start the ninth inning for the Cardinals.
Lee flew out to right leading off. After Bradley bunted foul trying to find anyway to get on base, I think Lou put a "don't ever do that again" sign out there and Bradley doubled to left. FonteNOT then flied out to center, making things look bleak for the Cubs.
They wouldn't die though. Soto drew a walk and Lou sent Micah Hoffpauir up to pinch hit for Scales. Hoffpauir singled to right scoring Bradley and sending Ryan Freel (pinch running for Soto) to third as the tying run.
However the Cubs' hopes died with Reed Johnson, flailing at pitches way out of the zone, struck out to end the game.
Final Score: Cardinals 2, Cubs 1
Game Notes
The Cubs have scored four or more runs in all 21 of their victories, but have plated three or fewer runs in 14 of their 17 losses—Chicago is hitting under .200 (.199) compared to its victories (.291)—Chicago is 19-6 when playing error-less ball, and 2-11 when committing an error—Ryan Dempster is now 6-6 against the Cardinals in his career, including 0-1 this season in three starts—Mike FonteNOT was 0-4 and is now in a 2-26 slide—Cubs are now 14-4 when drawing at least four walks in a game and 7-13 when they draw three or less—The Cubs are now 11-6 in May after staring the month 11-3—Derrek Lee had another hit and is now 7-15 his last four games—After a hot start Bobby Scales is now 0-9 over his last three games—The Cubs only have three regulars hitting higher than .230, excluding the hurt Aramis Ramirez.
The Cubs have scored four or more runs in all 21 of their victories, but have plated three or fewer runs in 14 of their 17 losses—Chicago is hitting under .200 (.199) compared to its victories (.291)—Chicago is 19-6 when playing error-less ball, and 2-11 when committing an error—Ryan Dempster is now 6-6 against the Cardinals in his career, including 0-1 this season in three starts—Mike FonteNOT was 0-4 and is now in a 2-26 slide—Cubs are now 14-4 when drawing at least four walks in a game and 7-13 when they draw three or less—The Cubs are now 11-6 in May after staring the month 11-3—Derrek Lee had another hit and is now 7-15 his last four games—After a hot start Bobby Scales is now 0-9 over his last three games—The Cubs only have three regulars hitting higher than .230, excluding the hurt Aramis Ramirez.
Cubs at the plate
Alfonso Soriano went 0-4 with three strikeouts, all swinging. Sori is in a mini slump the in these last few games, but we have always known he is a streaky hitter. The Fonz is hitting .272 with 12 HR and 25 RBI.
Ryan Theriot went 1-4 with a double to right. Theriot appears to be slowing as of late and could probably use a day or two off, but injuries have limited Lou's chances to do so. Theriot is hitting .287 with 5 HR and 18 RBI.
Kosuke Fukudome went 0-2 and was hit by a pitch. Fuku appears to be struggling a little bit as of late. Then again who hasn't in this lineup. Lookout for the "Kosuke is fading again just like last year". I don't think that is the case at all. Fukudome is hitting .319 with four HR and 17 RBI.
Derrek Lee was 1-4 to keep his mini four game hitting streak going. Lee is 7-15 during the streak. He did have a couple of rough at bats tonight, though, striking out twice. D Lee is hitting .230 with four HR and 18 RBI.
Milton Bradley went 1-3 with a walk and scored the Cubs' only run after doubling to left in the top of the ninth. Bradley had a Moises Alou moment, though, and was doubled off first on a soft fly ball to left. Bradley is hitting .193 with four HR and nine RBI.
Geovany Soto was 1-3 with a walk. His walk kept the ninth inning alive, giving the Cubs a chance to tie or even win the game. Soto is hitting .202 with one HR and ten RBI.
Mike Fontenot was 0-4 at the plate and just continues to slide. Is this proof he isn't an everyday player? Or is there something with his slump coinciding with having to play so much at third base? Font is now just two for his last 26 and is hitting .200 with five HR and 17 RBI.
Bobby Scales went 0-3 and is struggling a bit at the plate after his hot start. Scales is now 0-9 over the past three games. Is the major league pitching starting to catch up to him? Scales is hitting .296 with one HR and five RBI on the year. Still one more home run and one more RBI than Aaron Miles who has been on the roster all year.
Alfonso Soriano went 0-4 with three strikeouts, all swinging. Sori is in a mini slump the in these last few games, but we have always known he is a streaky hitter. The Fonz is hitting .272 with 12 HR and 25 RBI.
Ryan Theriot went 1-4 with a double to right. Theriot appears to be slowing as of late and could probably use a day or two off, but injuries have limited Lou's chances to do so. Theriot is hitting .287 with 5 HR and 18 RBI.
Kosuke Fukudome went 0-2 and was hit by a pitch. Fuku appears to be struggling a little bit as of late. Then again who hasn't in this lineup. Lookout for the "Kosuke is fading again just like last year". I don't think that is the case at all. Fukudome is hitting .319 with four HR and 17 RBI.
Derrek Lee was 1-4 to keep his mini four game hitting streak going. Lee is 7-15 during the streak. He did have a couple of rough at bats tonight, though, striking out twice. D Lee is hitting .230 with four HR and 18 RBI.
Milton Bradley went 1-3 with a walk and scored the Cubs' only run after doubling to left in the top of the ninth. Bradley had a Moises Alou moment, though, and was doubled off first on a soft fly ball to left. Bradley is hitting .193 with four HR and nine RBI.
Geovany Soto was 1-3 with a walk. His walk kept the ninth inning alive, giving the Cubs a chance to tie or even win the game. Soto is hitting .202 with one HR and ten RBI.
Mike Fontenot was 0-4 at the plate and just continues to slide. Is this proof he isn't an everyday player? Or is there something with his slump coinciding with having to play so much at third base? Font is now just two for his last 26 and is hitting .200 with five HR and 17 RBI.
Bobby Scales went 0-3 and is struggling a bit at the plate after his hot start. Scales is now 0-9 over the past three games. Is the major league pitching starting to catch up to him? Scales is hitting .296 with one HR and five RBI on the year. Still one more home run and one more RBI than Aaron Miles who has been on the roster all year.
Cubs on the mound
Ryan Dempster had his second consecutive successful start going seven innings and giving up just six hits, two runs, two earned runs, two walks and two strike outs. After struggling over a few starts, Dempster has thrown 14 innings and given up just four runs in his last two outings and is now 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA on the season.
Carlos Marmol pitched the eighth and had a perfect 1-2-3 inning on just 12 pitches. Carlos is 0-1 with three saves, 11 holds and an ERA of 3.79 on the season.
Series Record 0-2Ryan Dempster had his second consecutive successful start going seven innings and giving up just six hits, two runs, two earned runs, two walks and two strike outs. After struggling over a few starts, Dempster has thrown 14 innings and given up just four runs in his last two outings and is now 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA on the season.
Carlos Marmol pitched the eighth and had a perfect 1-2-3 inning on just 12 pitches. Carlos is 0-1 with three saves, 11 holds and an ERA of 3.79 on the season.
Season Record 21-17
Road Record 9-10
Home Record 12-7
Next Game: 05/21 in St Louis @ 7:15 pm CST
LHP Sean Marshall (2-2, 4.02) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (3-2, 3.83)
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