Strong return by Harden helps Cubs take series

Ever since the Cubs decided to give Rich Harden a 12-day rest between starts, the oft-injured right-hander has responded to questions about his shoulder with a question of his own: "What's the big deal?" As it ...

[Dulcinea]

No bellyaching, no woulda shoulda coulda. Strong Harden, sparkling defense and a bit of luck won us a big game. I know we will see the predictable nightly infestation of bashers who feel like D-Lee isn't trying, that Soriano's salary is coming out of their own pockets, etc. Boring as these know-nothings are, they're not likely to go away. I just skim over them and look for Mac the Knife, Cubbie Blue, et. al.--guys who make insightful contributions. Next up (eventually) the streaking Astros. Maybe we can cool them down.

[John David]

This team needs to start hitting, hitting, hitting, hitting. Score runs, excute, and play smart baseball. Man, I'm sick and tired of Derrick Lee's crappy hitting. He's lucky if he wasn't a excellent fielder Lou would of benched him long ago. Now, take a two day break and get those bats rolling and beat Houston. Prepare for our big three game series against the Brewers next week. If the Cubs sweep the Brewers next week then they will for sure take the National League Central Title.

[CubbieBlue]

Ok, so Harden looked like his usual stingy self. And we've seen a few times now that he doesn't need to rack up 10 K's/gm to be dominant. All this while keeping the best hitter in baseball to just 1 hit. That alone is impressive.

On to next topic: Big Z. Could he be a probable for game 1 of a potential double header on Sunday? And how cool would it be to have Dempster and Z-man pitching back to back? All this on a day the Bears will also be playing. Looks like I'll be glued to my sofa all day! Sunlight?? Bah, who needs it!

[Clifton Clowers]

SOIO BUNTING

[jim]

I said earlier, although mired in a 261 hitting slump, Fukutome is valuable for his defensive play and pinch running, albeit a bit, burp, expensive at 40M over 4 years, or is it 5?
Then Kerry Woods almost loses another, but the big word is almost. At least Lou lets him finish. What else is he going to do, bring on Howry? This losing games in the 9th is also happening to other teams if you pay attention. That's MLB, and it wouldn't be exciting any other way. Ah, but a win is a win. Cubs magic down to 11.

[Royer]

Clifton Clowers wrote:

SOIO BUNTING

Your schtick got old 20 posts ago, and wasn't especially droll to begin with. Find a new line.

[The Truth]

Eat it LaRussa!

[John]

One question:

Did Fukudome have that wicked spin move in Japan?

[ga cubs fan]

A good but scary win last night. I fear the ASTROS way more than anyone else in the NL right now. They have a cupcake schedule (from what I heard..Reds, Pirates and Braves) coming up as well.

[jim]

To John in Mexico. Fukudome's career began quite well, out of a famous high school, he signed with the Chunichi Dragons and played shortstop while hitting 3rd or even 4th I believe. He was always a pretty good hitter, but as often happens when they get burned out through the system, he started losing steam from the age of 28 or so, and fell out of favor with the manager.
The year before the Cubs offered the huge contract for him, he was hobbled by injuries and rarely played, if my memory serves me well. Chunichi had a good season without him in the line-up, hence his wanting to sign outside the organization if the chance arose.
Lo and behold, your friendly Chicago Cubs, on the block to be sold, hoped to up the franchise value by tapping into the Japanese market the way the Yankees, Seattle and Boston, did by signing their superstars.
Only thing is, Fukudome, at 31, is what you see. Great sometimes, but seems to be too streaky as a hitter. Rest him for a week and maybe he finds his grove for a while. I don't know. I really hope he still has productive years ahead of him. As I've mentioned before, never discount the Japanese work ethic. I hope he has the pride of his country men still at heart, and works his way back into and performs like a real top flight major leaguer again. We'll see.

[The Bulter Did It]

The Cubs still up by 5 1/2 after there recent losing skid is amazing.

[Marshall]

Another game down, two days rest will be nice. Magic number is 11.

SorryAno makes a nice catch with his first dive of the season, lucky he didn't break his arm.

Hitting in the clutch...still needs work.
DLee! SorryAno! FUKU!

When you have guys on base, I expect this team to get them in...it's gotta happen.

[Mac the Knife]

What a game! That is real baseball. Really good teams seem to bounce back when they need to; there is a kind of destiny or karma or providence that surrounds them. These Cubs have that. I have never enjoyed a season more.Did you see Henry Blanco encouraging teammates in the dugout? Maybe the players decided to leave the worrying and the downers to the posters on this site.

[CORONADO CA DIE HARD]

Take the win. remember this is the best tem in the league. Stop griping about Lee who will get his numbers. Just let the go out there, play and have fun and break this drought. I've been waiting 53 years.

[joebagadonuts]

who's kicking themselves harder for not going .500 the last 2 weeks: the cubs, who could have put the division out of reach and rested some guys, or milwaukee, who could have actually been winning the division?

classic cubs/cards nailbiter last night. that's what baseball's all about.

[Dunder Mifflin Employee]

With only one day open on the schedule, does anyone know - weather permitting - if they would try to play two on Monday in Houston?

[sugmag]

Dulcinea wrote:

No bellyaching, no woulda shoulda coulda. Strong Harden, sparkling defense and a bit of luck won us a big game. I know we will see the predictable nightly infestation of bashers who feel like D-Lee isn't trying,

D-Lee is not producing. He is the #3
hitter with runners on 1st & 3rd & nobody out (1st inn) & he K's. DP Lee would have at least produced an RBI. Now a K makees him K-Lee. Hit a freaking fly ball for pete's sake! That lost run in the 1st almost came back to haunt us. Then in the 5th after Theriot walks in a run with Wellmeyer
having trouble throwing a strike, Lee
swings at the first pitch & grounds it
for an RBI. Thanks for the RBI but the pitcher just walked two guys! Take a hint. Oh then his buddy after him Ramirez swings at the first pitch also (inning over).
Let's go to the 9th, another chance for Lee to help out his team with runners in scoring position again. He
grounds out leaving it up to Kerry Wood who is having trouble lately.
I am not saying to bench the guy, but I'd rather have De Rosa #3 right now.
Switch him & Lee to send Lee a message
and maybe he can return to the Lee
we had in April & May.

[Mark]

I don't think Lou's rant did anything for the team nor am I sure that any rant can make a hitter "hit". The Cubs on Wednesday only scored in one inning and last night scored in only 2 innings. There still not hitting. Lee came up to the plate after the Cards walked two batters in a row and he swung at the first pitch grounding out (did get an RBI) and Ramirez comes up and pops up on the FIRST pitch. The bull pen after a great summer has picked a bad time to become human. Hopefully this team will start playing well.

[dabearsrule86]

John David wrote:

This team needs to start hitting, hitting, hitting, hitting. Score runs, excute, and play smart baseball. Man, I'm sick and tired of Derrick Lee's crappy hitting. He's lucky if he wasn't a excellent fielder Lou would of benched him long ago. Now, take a two day break and get those bats rolling and beat Houston. Prepare for our big three game series against the Brewers next week. If the Cubs sweep the Brewers next week then they will for sure take the National League Central Title.

FINALLY someone sees the same things I see in Derrick Lee. This guy is pathetic!! When he comes to bat I change the channel. I'm sick of all the ground balls to third. STOP pulling the ball all the time!! WATCH some film of Ryan Theriot. There is a true hitter. And lets kick some Astro butt before we worry about the Brewers. One day at a time boys!!!

[dabearsrule86]

MARK and SUGMAG bring about two thoughts I had last night. Do we even have a take sign anymore???? You don't swing at the first pitch after a pitcher just walked two guys. make him throw a strike!! and I totally agree-Lee should be dropped down to maybe six or seven. He only hits when noone is on base.This guy should have 140 rbis. Edmonds might not have the best average, but he is patient. How many times has he walked to start an inning or a rally? And CORONADO-didnt we say that about the hitting in general at the start of the postseason last year?? Did it come back then?? What team will show up in October this year??