Now or never....Live action 9-19

It is getting old to say, but tonight is the biggest game of the year....Well, it may not be, but it is pretty big.


Bottom 1st:
Just as I start to blog, Alfonso Soraino takes a ball to the bleachers to gives the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Which is important after Ted Lilly got out of a major jam in the first inning.

Too bad the Cubs can't do any more damage against Tom Shearn. After 1, Cubs 1-0. Astros-Brewers 0-0.

Top 2:

I could not see Edwin "Don't call me Juan" the rest of the year as he tied the game 1-1 in the Top of the 2nd. The key for Lilly is to limit the damage.

In Houston, Brewer go 1-2-3 to end the top of the second. WOW!! Aramis Ramirez might not get a gold glove, but he has played really well this year and after that catch against Joey VOtto, he should get a web gem tonight on ESPN.

Lilly settles and it is 1-1 after 1 1/2.

Bottom 2:

After a Ramirez grounder, Mark DeRosa gets a walk that might have been a gift. Maybe it can lead to something. Right on cue, Jones doubles down the right field line.

Big AB for Soto here with Lilly on deck, and Soto strikes out on a looping curve. Lilly does the same and the game is still 1-1 after 2. In Houston, it remains 0-0 after 2.

Top 3:

Brewers do nothing in the top of the third, and Lilly sets down Shearn to start the Reds' third.

Damn, Norris Hopper doubles to left-center. I can't wait not to see him either. The same goes for Jeff Keppinger, but Lilly gets him. That leaves only Cub-Killer Ken Griffy Jr.

In Houston, Round Rock goes down 1-2-3 against Milwaukee. Opps, my bad, I meant the Astros.

Wow, Lilly goes high and strikes out Griffy to keep it 1-1 after 2 1/2. 0-0 in Houston after three.

Bottom 3:

Wouldn't you know, Prince just went yard for the Brewers to make it 1-0 in the top of the fourth. Make it 2-0 after a sac fly.

Ryan Theriot singles, but Derrek Lee continues to struggle a little. Cliff Floyd flies out and it remains 1-1 after 3.

Top 4:

DUNN HR and the Cubs trail 2-1 after 3 1/2.

Bottom 4:

The bad news is the Cubs trail, but the Astros cut the lead to 2-1 after a Carlos Lee HR.

Double play and the Cubs are out of the inning.

Bottom 6:

Soto baby. Way to get us back tied.

Top 6:

Ted comes back and really shuts down the Reds. Now let get the offense in gear.

Bottom 6:

Key inning here and Lee gets a leadoff walk, but Floyd pops to second for the first out. ARam seems to find a way to come through in these situations and we need a big hit. Instead, we hit into another double play to end the inning. 2-2 after six.

Top 7:

Lilly gets squeezed and Dunn walks. Terrible way to start the inning. Big-time pitching for Lilly as he strikes out Edwin. Now lets get a double play and call it an inning. Damn, a single instead as Lee can't come up with a ground ball. Big spot here for Lilly and the Cubs.

HUGE strikeout for Lilly, two down with a pinch hitter coming up with two down.

In Houston, Corey Hart just robbed Berkman of a double and maybe a triple and the Brewers still lead 2-1 after six.

Back to Chicago, Alex Gonzalez (no, not that one) is up. A sigh of relief as Gonzalez slices a ball foul. 0-2...............................................................................and he just gets a piece. GOT HIM!!!!!!! What a game from our ace.

Bottom 7:

As much as Jones has helped this team the last two months, that was an awful bunt attempt. No reason to give up outs at that point. Soto can't be the hero twice and he lines out to left. Well, it is up to Craig Monroe now, but he waves a fastball to end the inning.

Top 8: Up to the bullpen now and the Cubs need a quick, clean inning.

In Houston, Dave Borkowski got Ryan Braun to get out of a jam in the top of the 7th to keep it 2-1 Brewers.

Howry in for the Cubs and DeRosa commits a costly error to allow Hopper to reach. That might come back and haunt us. Unlike the Cubs, Keppinger puts down his sac-bunt to move Hopper to second.

Big strikeout for Bob right there to get the second out. One more out to get. 1-2 to Phillips.........Come on Bob.......................WOW what a play by Alfonso to gun Hopper out at the plate to keep the game tied at 2-2.

Ninth Inning Magic

What can I say, but I was on the phone with Scott Lange, of the Northside Lounge. Scott, who is now in Law School, needed some play by play, because his internet is always behind my MLB Extra Innings feed. I'm not sure he understood a word except CUBS WIN!!! (Of course does he really need to hear anything else?)

Well, the Cubs keep 1 game up of the Brewers with 11 games left (Magic #12). Big Z is coming off three days rest tomorrow, so lets hope his arm is ready against Aaron Harang, and the Astros find a way to win 1 game.

Also lets check out the elimination numbers of the NL CENTRAL.

1. CUBS N/A
2. Brewers 12
3. Cardinals 5
4. Reds 2
5. Pittsburgh Already Done
6. Astros Already Done

Back in first

The Cubs needed a big win and got one today against the suddenly less HGH'D Cardinals. The Cubs, on the other hand, finally brought the big sticks to the tune of 12 runs.

The really good news.....the Brewers got slammed by the Pirates. So, the Cubs and Brewers are tied again with 19 games left. I'm heading to Cincinnati for the final weekend of the year, and I hope it means something.

Next up...Cubs vs. Astros for 3, Brewers vs. Pirates for 2 (Mil. off on Thursday).

Labor Day Updates

I could think of no better way to spend the day than keeping a look at all the games today. So, throughout the day I will comment on the Brewers, Cubs and Cardinals.


The Cubs have a 1.5 game lead over the Brewers and a 2 game lead over the Cards. The Magic Number stands at 27 entering today.

2:25 p.m.: Pirates take an early 1-0 lead. How great it would be to have the Brewers and Cards lose before we start?

3:07 p.m.: Well, things are off to a good start. The Cards are down to 4-0 to the Pirates. The Brewers trail 3-0 with their "Ace" Sheets on the mound. So far, so good.

3:54 p.m.:
The Cards have chosen to fold today and give up as the Pirates have taken a 10-0 lead in the fourth inning. In the other game of interest, the Brewers have cut into the Astro lead and it is 3-2 now in the bottom of the sixth inning.

4:16 p.m.: The Cards are still down 11-0, but the Brewers have tied the game against the Astros. Not a good sign for them, but Big Z sits down the Dodgers in the first. So, the Cubs have a chance to at least gain on the Cards today.

4:20 p.m.: Just as the Cubs start, the Brewers take a 5-3 lead on the Astros. But to take away the sting, Alfonso Soriano homers to start the day. Cubs 1-0, Brewers 5-3, Pirates 11-0.

5:06 p.m.: What started as a very promising day has changed a little bit. The Brewers are about to finish off the Astros 7-4. The Cards are still going to lose, but Big Z continues to struggle with his command.