What did Meatloaf say..."two out of three ain't bad?"
That's exactly what the Cubs end up with against the Reds in this series. It is also what they are averaging in their last twelve games.
Ted Lilly started out better with just one walk and one hit through the first three innings. However, in the fourth inning a walk and a base hit, followed by another walk loaded the bases for Joey Votto. He didn't leave them loaded. He hit a bases clearing double. He followed that up in the sixth with a two run homer. Those five runs batted in were the only runs given up by Lilly. Granted, they were five total runs, but on only two hits. The margin between success and failure is so small in the major leagues.
Besides Votto, Ken Griffey drove in three runs for the Reds. He must love hitting in Wrigley with the wind. Since 2004 he has only hit more than two home runs at an opposing park twice...IN A SEASON! He hit two in this series!
There were some positives for the Cubs in this game...at least individual Cubs.
- Michael Wuertz pitched three whole outs without giving up a walk or a hit, much less a run.
- Reed Johnson, after struggling on Wednesday, went four for four.
- Derek Lee extended his hitting streak to six games...just barely. With two outs in the ninth he hit a slow grounder to Encarnacion at third. As he fielded the ball, his feet came out from under him and Derek just beat out the throw he made while seated on the field.
Low points for the Cubs, besides the loss itself:
- Aramis Ramirez committed another error
- Kosuke didn't get a hit, and actually ended the game on a strikeout looking
- Mike Fontenot got another chance to lead off but didn't get a hit in five at bats. See more on this on bleedcubbieblue
There is also a great argument regarding the Cubs bringing up Eric Patterson instead of Matt Murton. I tend to side with the Matt Murton apologists. I think he should have been on the major league roster from day one.
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