Come To Think of It...Houston, We Have a Problem: Cubs Lose Again

Has anyone seen our ace? I mean, there was a guy in a uniform with the name Carlos Zambrano, but once again, the guy sure didn't pitch like Zambrano. He could only pitch five innings, giving up three runs. That computes to an ERA of around 5.00.

Then, to add insult to injury, this unknown pitcher's manager brings in Bob Howry, who just sucks. Let's face it, Cubs fans, the guy has been terrible all season (albeit better of late) and yet Lou brings him into an important game.

Yes, I say "important" because the Cubs had just lost three consecutive home games and Cubs fans needed a victory so that some of them could come in from the ledge, if nothing else.

Why is Howry still on this team? All I can figure is he must have pictures of Piniella or Hendry in compromising positions. He didn't even retire a batter.

Looking for bright spots? Well, at least the Cubs broke their 28-inning streak without an extra-base hit, hitting four home runs, the last of which tied the game at seven. The tying home run was by Jim Edmonds, who was removed from the game afterwards.

Apparently, you hit a homer and you grab some bench. It would have been nice to see what he could have done as an encore but, alas, we'll never know. But who needs a veteran when you have a rookie you can throw into such a stressful situation. And yes, in the ninth, the mighty Casey struck out. 

Overall, despite seven runs, the hitting was once again spotty early, against a very hittable Astros pitcher, as we squandered too many chances. The lack of clutch hitting extended into the late innings, as "DP-Lee" hit into yet another double play with men on base in the eighth.

In fact, "DP-Lee" strikes so much fear into opposing teams that Cecil Cooper kept a lefthander in there to face him with men on base in the bottom of the 10th. Of course, he struck out.

This guy looks too damn comfortable to me; someone ought to take him aside and tell him he'd better pick up his game, or we'll put Micah Hoffpauir in there. That won't happen, of course, but I wish it would. Remember, Lee is the guy who agreed with Obama that Cubs fans don't know baseball. Neither one gets my vote.

And the defense was lacking, as Soriano missed a flyball that a good left fielder would have caught, and Theriot inexplicably held onto a ball too long on what should have been a routine groundball out. Aramis Ramirez was brutal, committing three errors.

Speaking of being too comfortable, there seems to be a difference between how badly Milwaukee wants it versus how badly the Cubs do. Big Z had to be pushed back two days and could only go five innings, and all he had was a "tired arm." 

Rich Harden won't pitch for 11 days, yet supposedly nothing is wrong. Contrast that with Milwaukee's Ben Sheets, who has an actual groin injury, yet isn't even going to miss his next scheduled start for the Brewers. Who seems to want it more?

I know that many Cubs fans like to live in a bubble world where only positive thoughts are allowed, and anyone who dares question the results can't be a true fan and should just go away. 

But hey, it's OK to be critical, it doesn't mean you don't love the Cubs. And this team is simply too damn good to lose four straight at home.

Come to think of it, I'd rather not think about it. Hey, at least the Brewers lost. There you go, one for the bubble. Let's go get 'em tomorrow.