Mark DeRosa extended his hitting streak to nine games. After his first hit, he advanced to third on a single by Marquis, but he was stranded there. Later in the game, he followed a bunt single by Reed Johnson with a double to put runners at second and third with no one out. Johnson scored on a groundout by Ronny Cedeno. DeRosa scored on a squeeze bunt by Henry Blanco.
Read that closely. Chicago scored two runs in an inning when only one ball left the infield. Two runs by Reed Johnson and Mark DeRosa driven in by Ronny Cedeno and Henry Blanco. Are we missing something? Isn't this the team with Soriano, Lee and Ramirez? Don't forget Soto. I've said it before, this is a team that is deep. They can win with a variety of players and in a variety of ways. Today was small ball.
Who pitched today for Chicago? Couldn't have really been Jason Marquis in that #21 jersey. Seven innings, no runs, no walks and only five hits. That isn't the second half Jason Marquis I have railed against more than once.
Credit these guys when coming up big when the team needs them. It isn't like Johnson and DeRosa are bench guys....no, they play most every day. And they come up with big hits frequently. But Cedeno and Blanco....and Marquis! If this isn't the year.......
Speaking of the year...it was 1945. The last time Chicago played in a World Series. Also the last time Chicago was 33 games above .500, until today!
It gets harder from here on out. Other than a weekend series against the Reds, all of the remaining opponents are .500 or better. So we won't start talking magic number yet. I want to, but I won't. The Brewers aren't going anywhere and we have them six times in the last two weeks. Chicago is 18-6 in August and the Brewers have a chance to match that record with a win tonight against St. Louis. They won't go away!
One win in the series against Philadelphia secures Chicago's best month of 2008. They'll get at least two, probably three. That would put them at 35 games over .500. It would also set the stage for a 100 win season.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
8/27/08 @ Pittsburgh; W 2-0; (83-50)
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2 comments:
Even though the Brewers won't go completely away, at least they aren't right in our rearview ... and you know they are way more frustrated than we are. Winning 18/24 in a month and still being five games out has to be about as appealing as a kick in the nuts.
I didn't think about it that way. You are right, looking in the rearview mirror saying we can't shake them is much better than being the guys doing the chasing. They are running out of time.
At this point, if Chicago finishes 15-14 (98 wins) Milwaukee needs to finish 21-8 to tie with us.
I would love nothing better than to gain one more game before the Brewers get to Wrigley. Then a sweep clinches it.
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