After going 14 innings last night in a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, you, I, and the Cubs team are likely ready to put this game down, and move on. There's a 12:35 getaway game this afternoon to boot, so I hope no one spent too much time dwelling on this loss. But it did have a little bit of everything to offer.
The Good
Marquis cobbling together something that resembled an effective start, going 5.1 innings, with three runs allowed.The bullpen pitching eight innings of two-run ball. Kosuke Fukudome going 2-4, with two BB. And the Cubs coming back from behind in typical 2008 form with three runs in the 8th, to take a 4-3 lead.
The Bad
Cub 1-4 hitters going 5-24 for the night. Reed Johnson 0-5. Every reliever save Ascanio made an appearance. Another caught stealing by Ryan Theriot, who is proving by the day that he's a much more appropriate 8th hitter than lead-off type.
The Ugly
Kerry Wood, botching his 4th save attempt of the season. I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't need to start warming up at the top of the 8th if the team is even sniffing a save situation. He hit Doug Mientkiewicz to start the inning, and then allowed a Nady single before settling down. This has happened often, where it appears that he's needed more time to warm up, come into a game shaky, and finally settle down after 10 more pitches or so. It will be interesting to see shakes this as the season wears on, but right now, it's just maddening.
Anyway, I've said enough. On to this afternoon, and hopefully another series win.