Braves 5 Cubs 1
Taking a chance that this game won't be resumed (I'll probably be sorry)...
If you'd given a casual fan the pitching matchups for the last two games, and asked what the likely outcome would be, the answer would come quickly -- Cubs win, Cubs win. Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux are infinitely more famous and accomplished than are Kyle Davies and Roman Colon -- it's our little secret that the difference in ability at this point is not that great.
Then consider the lineups. Other than Lee, who left the game with a shoulder injury, and Ramirez, there was nobody on the field for the Cubs tonight that I would trade for their Brave counterpart. Neifi Perez? Corey Patterson? Henry freaking Blanco? Please, please, please.
So, in retrospect, the outcome was not all that surprising. However, props must be given to Colon, who was in command all evening, repeatedly getting the Cubs to hit weak groundballs with runners on base. Even in the seventh, when he was tiring and the rain had begun, he managed to wriggle out of a bases loaded jam. Sutton said he's pitching with a purpose now -- I'm not sure what that means (the purpose is always the same, or so I thought), but it's the type of sentiment I'm inclined to agree with while watching him.
As was the case yesterday, one well-timed inning by the offense provided ample support. Considering the weather forecast, this may well be the final game in the series. Nats won yet another one-run game -- enough already!
By the way, Kelly Johnson's choice of music in the first inning: "Suicide Is Painless". Hey, whatever works....
If you'd given a casual fan the pitching matchups for the last two games, and asked what the likely outcome would be, the answer would come quickly -- Cubs win, Cubs win. Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux are infinitely more famous and accomplished than are Kyle Davies and Roman Colon -- it's our little secret that the difference in ability at this point is not that great.
Then consider the lineups. Other than Lee, who left the game with a shoulder injury, and Ramirez, there was nobody on the field for the Cubs tonight that I would trade for their Brave counterpart. Neifi Perez? Corey Patterson? Henry freaking Blanco? Please, please, please.
So, in retrospect, the outcome was not all that surprising. However, props must be given to Colon, who was in command all evening, repeatedly getting the Cubs to hit weak groundballs with runners on base. Even in the seventh, when he was tiring and the rain had begun, he managed to wriggle out of a bases loaded jam. Sutton said he's pitching with a purpose now -- I'm not sure what that means (the purpose is always the same, or so I thought), but it's the type of sentiment I'm inclined to agree with while watching him.
As was the case yesterday, one well-timed inning by the offense provided ample support. Considering the weather forecast, this may well be the final game in the series. Nats won yet another one-run game -- enough already!
By the way, Kelly Johnson's choice of music in the first inning: "Suicide Is Painless". Hey, whatever works....
posted by Sam Bass | 9:45 PM
6 Comments:
Carrie Muskat? Was she reporting from Appomattox?
thankyouverymuch...
:O)
watch out for kolb. he'll be closing again before you know it. i know of what i write.
I think Reitsma will have to lose the closer job first, which he is eminently capable of doing.
In my midseason report I supposed that Kolb would get another shot, but he'd better make it soon because we have some guys settling into roles right now. Gryboski 6th, Boyer 7th, Brower 8th, Reitsma 9th. Foster to face lefties. Also, if/when our starters return, we've got to find places for Sosa and Colon, both of whom deserve continued playing time. So it'll be tough, but someone will probably falter.
In Kolb's last nine games, he's allowed just 2 runs in 10 innings, 9 hits, walked only 3, and struck out a Kolblike 4 batters. During this stretch, his ERA has dropped nearly 2 full runs while not allowing a single home run.
In Reitsma's last nine outings, he's pitched 9 innings, allowed 13 hits, 5 ER, 3 walks, and he's struck out 6.
I should clarify my previous comment and say Reitsma is eminently capable of losing the closer job.
Kolb has improved greatly, as you say.
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