Reds 69-83, -10.5
Cubs 80-73, +1.5
POTG: SP Ted Lilly (7 IP, 2 R, 5 H, BB, 8 K)
Runner Up: RP Bobby Howry (2 IP, 0 R, H, 2 K, W [6/35]), LF Alfonso Soriano (HR [28/236], 2H, OF A [16/38]), SS Ryan Theriot (2 H, R), 2B Mark DeRosa (2 H, BB)
I need to invent a time machine so I can go back and find time to do this yesterday when this game was still vivid in my mind.
Lilly was really sharp, as good as he’s been, and on three days rest. It’s something they can file away to use later on, if they get the chance. The bigger point is Lilly’s been well worth the contract handed out to him this season, probably the best of an otherwise weak class. This performance was above and beyond expectations and few comparable guys have done that this year.
Norris Hopper has to be one the fastest guys in the league, and he was still gunned down by many steps. How can anyone still be running on this man? Not that I mind, because it’s saved the Cubs from quite a few tough innings. It does help no one believes he’ll field the ball correctly in the first place, which seems to have caused a good third of his outfield assists this year.
Mark DeRosa is really going to miss the Reds: 533/593/711 in 54 ABs. Three more games! That’s also above and beyond.
There’s no way they could manage to pitch Howry for two innings if not for this goofy off day. And Marmol being a successful closer would’ve caused some sort of revolt, so it really worked out for the best.
NINE TO GO.