Friday, June 18, 2010

Cubs do the unthinkable (win a series)

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Before Thursday's walk-off win:

Last time the Cubs won a series: May 25-27 against the Dodgers
Last time the Cubs won back-to-back games: May 22-25
Last time the Cubs won in their last at-bat: May 27

I guess we should have enjoyed the hell out of that Dodgers series.

Through seven innings yesterday, the Cubs offense looked like the offense we've become resigned to watching this year. They wasted prime scoring opportunities in the first and second and opted not to create any more opportunities for the next five innings. Yes, Dallas Braden threw a complete game earlier this season, but he had been awful in the six starts since. Nevertheless, he held the Cubs to just one run on five hits through six.

But the Cubs were able to get to the A's bullpen, loading the bases against former Cub Michael Wuertz and tying the game on a sac fly by Xavier Nady. Nady's RBI came against closer Andrew Bailey who had to be replaced in the ninth because manager Bob Geren failed to make a double switch when replacing Wuertz. Somebody didn't study their NL rulebook ...

So Jerry Blevins had to come into the game, and the Cubs utilized the power of cheese--oops, I mean the power of the walk (I've got that giant noodle on the brain). Three straight free passes set up Fukudome's game-winner through a drawn-in defense, and the Cubs celebrated their third walk-off of the season.

It was nice to see Randy Wells go deep into the game for once. Here are his innings pitched in his last four starts:

0
5
5.1
5

But he went seven yesterday and allowed just two runs, bucking a couple negative trends--a 6.47 home ERA and a 7.01 daytime ERA this season. He didn't get the win because of the Cubs' late rally, but he dropped his ERA below five and started off what he called his "new season" in solid fashion.

Though Theriot drew one of those ninth-inning walks, he went 1-for-13 in the series. Whatever happened to that one guy, what's his name, uh ... Fonso ... no, um ... Fontenot! It's hard to remember given that he's started once since June 8. He's batting .293 on the year and deserves some starts at second in light of Theriot's struggles. I know the Cubs faced a lefty yesterday, and will today too, but in general, Lou needs to get Fontenot some at-bats.

1 comment:

  1. They've got their one series win per month out of the way; now there won't be any high expectations for the rest of the month. I feel better.

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