May 3, 2008...10:32 pm
Game 30
- Saturday May 3rd – Busch Stadium
- Cubs 9 - Cardinals 3
- Record (18-12) – 2nd place in the NL Central
The skinny: Thank goodness Ted Lilly came through this afternoon (7 IP, 3-R, 6-H, 1-BB and 4-K). And, the line-up did its part too, scoring nine runs and providing Lilly a comfortable six to nothing lead in the fourth inning.
Specifically, hats off to Mike Fontenot who posted a career-high 4 RBI day going 1-for-3 with a three-run shot in the fourth.
Yesterday I posed a question asking how long before Rich Hill was replaced in the rotation? As it turns out, it took less than a day as the left-handed (five starts: 1-0, 4.12 ERA and an unhealthy 18-BB in 19.2 innings) was demoted to Triple-A Iowa.
The Cubs have been expecting Hill to establish himself in the rotation since his last demotion in May of 2006: four starts, 0-4, 9.31 ERA.
However, after that particular demotion Hill was called back to Chicago and finished strongly going 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA.
Then, last year Hill completed his first full year in the majors while managing an 11-8 record while also leading the team in strike outs (183). So, the Cubs had every right to believe this was the season Hill would break through. Now this.
Anyway, the Cubs and Piniella are still convinced Rich can get it done in the bigs; Lou says he’ll even hold a rotation spot for Hill if he pitches well enough in Iowa to return.
Replacing Hill on the roster is 25-year-old top-prospect Sean Gallagher. The right-handed starter went 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA in Iowa, but he’ll work out of the bullpen for Chicago.
For the past several seasons Gallagher has made 43 starts with the big club going 13-17. Recently, Sean’s name was often mentioned as trade material in the Brian Roberts talk.
Although the trade talks have quieted down, I still think Marshall’s work in Chicago will be an ongoing showcase for teams interested in dealing come July.
Rounding this move out, and, as I expected, Jon Lieber moves into the rotation and Sean Marshall turns into the long bullpen arm.
Also, it’s scary to see Aramis out of the line-up with a swollen wrist; the result of being hit by a pitch yesterday. Ramirez has averaged just 137 games during the past three seasons due to injuries. Thankfully though, the x-rays were negative and the third baseman is expected back tomorrow night.
Although, how sweet is it to have a Kosuke Fukudome filling-in the clean-up spot!
W: Lilly (2-4)
L: Lohse (3-1)
- Notes: Ted Lilly on his head first slide after doubling against Kyle Lohse in the seventh.
“I’ve been catching a lot of heat for it,” “It was fun, and the first time I had a chance to do it.”
- Today’s game was played in front of a record setting crowd of 46,792 fans at Busch Stadium.
- For the 14th consecutive game the Cubs have had at least one plate appearance with the bases loaded.
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