Cubs 17-12, -1.5 (2nd)
Cardinals 19-11, +1.5 (1st)
POTG: RP Jon Lieber (3.2 IP, 5 H, K)
Runner Up: RP Bobby Howry (2 IP, 2 H, UER, 0 BB, 2 K), C Soto (2 H, 2B, R), 1B D Lee (H, 2 BB, SB)
I dunno: LF Soriano (gives them away then takes them back)
Does Soriano hitting the game tying home run excuse his miserable performance in the field? Not totally, I can’t think so. It’s a testament to how bad he was in the 7th that we even have to bring this up. Soriano was brutal, bad enough they really should’ve given errors on plays they never give errors. He should’ve gone to the minors to get some practice, he shouldn’t have been let play out in left if he wasn’t ready and he’s not the super star the Cubs and Lou thinks he is.
And he’s here until 2014. YAY.
I thought Lou messed up with Hill. There’s been plenty of blowouts in the last nine days where Hill could’ve gotten in some work (though I didn’t think of it either), which couldn’t have hurt. I also think he should’ve given Hill some rope to work out of his jam. Here again, it worked out for Lou – if Hill has disaster inning, the Cubs might never had a chance – but the long term goal has to be straightening out Hill. Now it seems like that’ll require a trip to Iowa, because Lou’s not going to let it happen here.
Cubs can at least take good performances from the relievers – Wuertz and Howry gave up runs, but they were much improved from recent performances. Lieber was great and deserves the rotation spot if it’s open. I’d send Marshall down to let him stretch out rather than bump him up to the rotation make room for Eyre. It ended badly for Chad Fox, but I’m not quite ready to give up on him yet and I think it’s unfair to expect him to do any more than pitch one inning. It was just a really tough way to get him back in.
They really need Lilly to put up some innings this afternoon. Marmol should be okay and Wood didn’t pitch so much, so they can get make this work if Lilly can give them at least seven.