Another Stinker

Does anybody here no how to play this game? I guess not. The Cubs wasted another good start, this time from Zambrano. Everybody wants to hit a home run. After a promising start of mostly working the count the first time through the order (with the exception of Ramirez who hasn't a clue at all lately), the Cubs settled into their old ways and the result was a night of utter futility. Hard to imagine them ever scoring again. So far this season they have had maybe three competent offensive innings. Forget about scoring as a result of homers, I mean actually playing baseball, stringing together hits, etc., all that old-fashioned stuff.

Under Piniella, the Cubs have played good ball consistently for half of 2007 and most of 2008. That's been it, so you have to wonder whether the core of this team is really as good as they think it is. You know they are not as smart as they could be. In fact, they usually play dumb baseball most of the time. An example: men at first and second, one out, Zambrano attempts a bunt (don't ask why, I suppose we are playing for a tie on the road or something, it doesn't matter) he misses and Fontenot is picked off. Fontenot, playing SS to rest Theriot had earlier thrown to the wrong base on Reyes' triple.

Grabow worked his usual eighth inning magic, allowing a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis, who must be like sixty years old by now, to put the game out of reach. There is a report the Cubs gave a tryout to Braden Looper yesterday. Looper, who gave up 39 homers last year for the Brewers, should fit into the pen just fine.

There was a good interview on WSCR with Bob Brenly Tuesday morning, in which Bob is pretty outspoken in his criticism of Alfonso Soriano. I forgot to mention Soriano's actions Monday evening, when he stopped to admire his long double long enough to make what should have been a stand-up triple and close two-base hit. After the game, Soriano thought he had played a terrific game, two hits, no errors, several hops that were supposed to stop. He did just fine. Brenly characterizes Soriano as pretty much disgusting to watch and one of the most selfish players he has ever seen. I should add he is possibly one of the dumbest, but since he got a hit and actually took a base on balls tonight, Lou will just pencil him in again on Wednesday.