Come to Think of it...Cubs' Brain Cramps Costly Vs. Rays

The Cubs lost a ballgame tonight versus the Tampa Bay Rays.

I understand that  the Cubs have the best record in baseball, so losing is news. Yet it's not that they lost, it's how they lost that's news to me.

The Cubs usually do the little things right. Not blessed with the league's top slugging, nor the best speed, they use solid pitching, a strong bullpen, and a patient offense that scores runs by getting on base and hitting doubles (they lead the league in two-base hits).

Except tonight in Tampa Bay, where the Cubs suddenly played stupid baseball and it cost them a game.

Who were the culprits? Let's start with normally heads-up, reliable Reed Johnson. He tried to steal third base with two outs in the seventh and was thrown out easily. Theriot was up with three balls, with Lee on deck. Not smart.

When Jason Bartlett stole third base for the Rays in the eighth inning, circumstances were different. There was only one out, the Rays had the lead and Iwamura struck out swinging, indicating it may have been a busted hit and run play.

And what about Neal Cotts? I mean, what about him as in why is he on this team?

Hendry should just consider this trade with the White Sox a washout and quit trying to find a diamond in the rough. David Aardsma did nothing for the Sox, though he is enjoying a slight resurgence with the Red Sox this year.  And Cotts has done nothing good for the Cubs.

How a pitcher who was so damn solid in 2005, the year of the Sox World Series triumph, could suddenly turn into Dave Otto is a mystery.

But it is what it is and Cotts sucks. His two-base throwing error in the seventh tonight was another brain cramp as he should have eaten the ball.

Hopefully, this is just one of those games that you forget and go get 'em next time. But the Cubs don't normally beat themselves like this.

In the ninth inning, the Comeback Cubs gave the faithful a glimmer of hope against Troy Percival. First, DeRosa singled with one out. Kosuke Fukudome pinch-hit next. Hitting just .222 in 45 ABs this month and only .205 away from the friendly confines, he promptly doubled to left, though DeRosa didn't score.

Hoffpauir then pinch-hit for Blanco, and a passed ball allowed DeRosa to score, closing the gap to 3-2.  But he struck out swinging, leaving the Cubs down to their last bullet in Jim Edmonds, who was pinch hitting for Cedeno.

Edmonds, hitting .375 this month, walked. You could cut the tension with a knife.

Reed Johnson was next.  With a chance to make amends for his earlier baserunning gaffe, he couldn't do it and the game was over.

In a close game like this, every play matters.  Including brain cramps.  Come to think of it, especially brain cramps.