Cubs lose Zambrano and fall to the Astros in 11 innings
It was a bad night at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night as the Cubs lost starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano after five innings and then lost the game to the Houston Astros in 11 innings. Zambrano told the head trainer that it was his arm but that was all that was said and the Cubs hope to have a report about the injury before Wednesday’s game.
As for the game iteself, Kerry Wood gave up a two run home run in the 11th inning to Geoff Blum and the Cubs lost 7-5. The Cubs hit four solo home runs in the game and added a two run double and rbi single in the game but still lost. Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa, Geovany Soto, and Jim Edmonds all hit one solo blast each. Ryan Theriot had the two run double while Mike Fontenot added the rbi single.
Once again Derrek Lee had chances to put the Cubs on top in the game and as usual he grounded into a double play. Lee is really struggling at the plate and he actually showed a little bit of emotion by slamming his helmet down when grounding into the double play in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Cubs had the bases loaded with one out.
Back to Zambrano who took himself out of the game after five innings. Through five innings he had given up five hits and three runs. He walked three and struck out three others. I expect a trip to the disabled list for Big Z and Sean Marshall filling in his spot in the rotation.
This race just might come right down to the wire, but if we have to sit Zambrano for 2 weeks then so be it. I’d rather have a healthy Zambrano out there then one that is a 75% every fifth day. Let’s hope that the injury isn’t to serious and all he needs is some rest.
The Cubs are still up 4.5 games on the Brewers who also lost. Ryan Dempster will take the mound on Wednesday night as he tries to stop the Cubs four game loosing streak. The Cubs hope to salvage one game out of the series as they also seen their 11 series winning streak snapped on Tuesday night with the loss.
Stay positive Cubs fans!
Staying positive will NOT be easy. Z is obviously hurt and has not pitched like an ace for 9 or 10 weeks; he might be our #4 but is no way higher than #3. Harden is out, for how long we really do not know. Where would we be without our true ace, Dempster?
D.Lee is killing us offensively. Enough singles to keep a decent average, but it is not just the lack of HR power. He can’t hit doubles; he can’t drive the ball. He can’t hit a Sac Fly when it would win a ballgame. He should not be #3 in any case. Aramis should be there now. Perhaps Soto could go #4, Lee might be #5. Most of his singles are hard grounders and he is among the league leaders in DPs. Not many big hits from anyone during the past four games — glad to see the HRs back, though.
At least we can get out of Wrigley — are we just 8-7 the last 15 games? We need to get on the road where we are 13-1.
This could be a disaster to top 1969. We are happy to lead by 4 1/2 games now. We lead by 5 games at this point in 1969. The Mets got hot, sure. But the Cubs lost that title. They lost 8 straight and all the “if we just go .500 we will . . .” went right out the window. That window is open right now.
One final note: The White Sox were looking worse off in 2005, losing games and losing ground. They righted the ship and won a title even though few people thought they were the best team. They got hot late. The Cubs could get hot late. Hell, Sean Marshall might win 2-3 games and be a major hero around here.
Somebody better be.