Falling

The Cubs always seem to find inventive and imaginative ways to lose games and last night was no exception. The theme was set in the first inning when the irrepressible Alfonso Soriano started back, then forwards on a weakly hit ball, eventually diving to the turf, rolling over, and dropping the ball in an evident effort to convince everyone that he had made a great play. Give the Brewers one run as the next guy singled home the run. Soriano managed to go 0 for 4 and strike out twice, killing several rallies, but it was hard for anyone to top his first inning heroics.

The evening was also notable for Derrick Lee falling over first base after lacing a sure double to drive in Starlin Castro, the only guy on the team who seems to be playing something that resembles baseball these days. Castro also had his share of bad luck when he grounded a single to center to knock in a run in the bottom of the ninth. He rounded first aggressively and it looked as if this tactic forced Jim Edmonds to bobble the ball. Unfortunately, Castro almost fell down changing gears to hustle toward second and was cut down, killing the Cubs comeback chances.

The night also saw the long-delayed major league debut of Thomas Diamond, whose career had been plagued by injuries until yesterday. I'd have to say the jury is still out on the rookie. He pitched well enough, but he threw 122 pitches in just six innings. Looks like he has a decent but not overpowering fastball and a good changeup. I wonder if he has a good enough breaking ball now to succeed as a starter at the major league level. He didn't really have an out pitch last night despite the ten strikeouts. His future may be in long or middle relief if he can improve his control, but he is worth another look, especially in what has now become a lost season.