"We played a good baseball game"

That, astonishingly, is what Lou had to say after the game. Now, granted, they won, and it was nice to see them win, but a good game? They left 17 men on base and batted 3 for 16 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded twice and left two men on base in each of the first seven innings. They were fortunate to score the first run when Soriano's popup dropped between three Reds in the 6th inning. Fortunately, Soto followed with a solid double to give Wells some breathing room.

Not to take anything away from Wells, who pitched a really good game, carrying a no-hitter into the 7th inning and lasting almost 8 innings before giving way to Carlos Marmol who picked up a four-out save. This is really the only kind of game the Cubs win anymore, one in which they get an outstanding start and manage to leave two or fewer innings for the bullpen, so that Piniella can use Marshall and Marmol to finish the game. Realistically, that happens about 1 in 3 or 2 in 5 games and that's why they are hovering around 10 games under .500.

Cueto, the Reds pitcher, walked a tightrope throughout the game, but it was interesting to see how the Reds played against the Cubs batting order. Lou always seems to pack the middle of the order with certain outs or at least with guys who never seem to drive in key runs. His lineups generally alternate dangerous hitters with certain outs, and the Reds survived as long as they did holding the Cubs scoreless because whenever he got in trouble, Cueto was able to pitch around hitters who might produce and bear down on guys who pretty nearly never produce in the clutch. It was only when Baker took Cueto out after five shaky innings that the Cubs were able to break the deadlock against a fairly shaky Reds bullpen.

So, a good game? Not really. More a typical game. I'm often surprised no one challenges Lou on these pronouncements of his. The only way we are going to get some changes for the fans is if the media really gets on Piniella and maybe he gets embarrassed or just pops off and embarrasses the organization.