DENVER. August 8, 2009. If you read my prequel to tonight’s game you will know that the Cubs had their work cut out for them. Rox pitcher Marquis is a former Cub and Dempster doesn’t have much of a record here having lost both games pitched.

First up Theriot for the Cubs led off but was caught out at right field. Bradley then got his 10th double but Lee grounded out and Ramirez struck out. Smith, Gonzalez and Helton were up for the Rockies and Dempster started well to get them out in 11 pitches… two fly balls and a strike. It was 0-0.

In the 2nd Marquis was even more efficient. Seven pitches had Fukudome, Soriano and finally Soto out with unassisted double play by Quintinilla at 2nd base. Dempster took a few more pitches to take out  the next 3 up for the home team, Tulowitzki, Hawpe and Stewart. Still 0-0.

The 3rd came and went and both teams were still looking to take a zero off the score board. The deadlock was broken at the top of the 4th when Lee started with a walk. Ramirez struck out and Fukudome got a double (24) to bring home Lee. At first Marquis held his nerve and got Soriano out on a popped ball to1st base man. But then walks started. Soto and Miles got walks to load the bases. Marquis then gave walk to his opposite pitcher Dempster to send Fukudome home for a second run.  It was tense. The bases were still loaded but Marquis got Theriot out. Cubs inning over but they had 2 runs.

Just as everything looked rosy for the Cubs their defense tripped and spluttered and fell. It didn’t look at all pretty. Gonzales and Helton got singles and the bases were loaded after an error by Ramirez. A Hawpe single got Gonzales home. Stewart then grounded out but Helton got home. Two home. Then a Quintinilla single got RBI’s from Tulowitzki and Stewart. I was 2-4 at the end of a bizarre 4th.

The 5th started with a Bradley out for the Cubs but next in D Lee closed the gap with a home run (25) to right field. Ramirez didn’t look too happy when grounded out softly to the 2nd base man. Fukudome got a walk but their inning was over when Soriano was out on a fly ball to Left field.

At the start of the bottom of the 5th Ramirez was replaced by Jake Fox at 3B. That is a real worry for the Cubs. Smith got a single but was out on a double play with next up Gonzales and the same again happened when a Helton single was negated by a nice double play to take out Tulowitzki as well. It was 3-4.

This was one of these games with loads of action and it just looked as if there was more to come. And so there was in the 6th. A Miles triple set things up nicely and he was in for a run when Theriot got a single. With two out Theriot got home for a run on a Bradley single and got in just before Bradley was tagged out at 2nd to end the innings. Hawpe got a single for the Rockies but the next 3 outs left the score at 5-4.

Chacin replaced Marquis at the top of the 7th  and Barmes was substituted in to man 2nd base. Lee and Fox struck out and Fukudome got a homer to right field. He was the man of the game and a glance at the stats will prove it. The Cubs inning was over when Soriano struck out. Barmes replied with a homer of his own for the Rockies. Guzman replaced Dempster and got the next 3 out.  The 7th over and it was 6-5.

This was anybodies game. Chacin pitched 10 nice pitches to get the Cubs out.  Marmol replaced Guzman for the Cubs. He is good but he is scary… he can strike them out quickly or he can give walks and tonight he was in strikeout mode. He struck out 3 of the 4 up  and the Cubs were still a run to the good at 6-5.

The weakness of the Cubs night was their defense. But at least they were getting bat on ball and I was feeling confident for them when they went into the 9th. Betancourt replaced Chacin pitching for the Rockies. Theriot started with a single and he was advanced with a sac bunt but a walk for Lee didn’t help as Fox and Fukudome grounded out. If the Cubs could take out the next 3 Rockies their night would end successfully. There were some strange plays but it ended up going the way of the Cubs way. Marmol was replaced by the closer Gregg and he came thru with some nice stuff to take the Rockies out of the game. It ended up a close 6-5.

The worry of the night was Ramirez. At least as far as St. Louis was concerned it was no change… they won their game too.

A.L.

Chicago Cubs Baseball Insider