Cubs got Wood; But not in Bats

Another great performance by Cubs pitcher  Travis"The New Kerry" Wood, only to be wasted by an errant pick off throw, and another poor performance by our bullpen and specifically Shawn Camp, who was the goat and the loser in Sunday's loss to the Giants as well.  We are too busy beating ourselves in these games.  There was another passed ball where our 'Misser' Wellington Castillo couldn't turn his glove around in time which resulted in a runner advancing, and then scoring.  The aforementioned wild throw to first, and then of course, a 2 run homer to put the Rangers up 4-0.  The Cubs managed only 6 hits.  Half of them in the 9th inning, where we managed to scratch out 2, and it could have been more if Darwin Barney's (welcome back buddy!) sinking line drive had gotten down for a hit.  But alas.  We lose.  Game over.  Another one got away.  Another one bites the dust.

I would like to suggest that Cubs fans should have a song to sing when we lose.  I mean we only got to sing 'Go Cubs Go' 38 times on the North Side last year.  Seems we should sing more, even at the losses, to keep our voices in shape.  I suggest Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".  First of all, it's a great song, and will nicely bookend with "We Will Rock You" when our new giant monstrosity of a scoreboard blasts us with ads and ways to cheer.  I'm sure "We Will Rock You" will be blasted at us too.  Boom Boom Chick Boom Boom Chick.  I suggest that after every Cubs loss, we sing as well.  I mean the best songs are sad songs anyway.  We should sing our pleasure and our pain!  Beer na bow bow bow....Another One Bitse the Dust!!

So what else happened?  We finally got rid of the Leprechaun Lillibridge, thank god!  And Dar Bar came back from his knee gouge to play second and almost win the game last night.  In addition we picked up some bullpen help from the castaways at Gilligans Baseball Island.  With Fujikawa on the DL, Marmol in yipsville, and Clevenger on the 60 day DL with "Crumbling at Home Plate-itis", we needed a little help.  And a "little" help is what we got.  We picked up Cameron Loe a righty who had some decent years with Milwaukee.  Seattle released him.  We got him.  He did well last night anyway.  1 scoreless inning pitched.  We also picked up Kevin "goggles" Gregg.  For those of you that remember 2009, he was the guy who blew a bunch of saves for the Cubs and typically has an ERA between 4 and 5.  I watched Kevin Gregg blow a 4 run lead in the 9th against the Mets once in NYC.  Classy!  Hey while we're at it, lets bring back all our failed closers from the past.  Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster.  How about Goose Gossage?    Not excited about this move, but whatchoo gonna do?  At least we can spread the blame around the bullpen for these late inning losses.  We also picked up veteran infielder Cody Ransom, who basically sucks at hitting and spends a fair amount of time under the .200 Mendoza line.  We are his 8th team.  But I welcome him with open arms because Lillibridge is gone and off the Cubs.  Goog riddance to bad rubbish.  When's Ian Stewart coming back?  Who the hell knows or cares.  Does he even exist?  Either way, I don't like his attitude.  I'd rather see the ghost of Ron Santo out there at third.    Or if we get Goose Gossage to close.  Why not get Ron Cey?  Penguin!!!!

Well, Lou Sears said in the last podcast that we will get swept in this series.  And looking at the radar map and the giant ass storm headed our way, there is a good chance it will be a one game sweep.  I hold tickets for tonights game, yet am doubtful about its playability.  I have even less hope for tomorrow.  Thunderstorms!!!!! Hell, it might do us good.  The new guys can get to know each other, and maybe Shawn Camp can watch a bunch of video to see what the hell he's doing wrong.  I of course will be lamenting my decision to live just north of 3 graveyards.  Graceland Cemetery, Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery, and Wrigley Field....

Go Cubbies!

Cubs Try to Lose; Win Anyway!

If there was any question as to how "Marmol" is spelled in japanese, I looked it up, and it's "F-U-J-I-K-A-W-A".  In a dismal 9th inning appearance, trying to preserve Carlos Villanueva's 2-0 gem, Kuji-Fuji, as he will be referred to from here on in, stank up the joint,  allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, plus a wild pitch, and he hit a batter (Buster Posey).  I was really hoping the plunked Posey would charge the mound ala Carlos Quentin vs Zack Greinke (video of melee in link), and break Kuji-Fuji's collar bone too.  At least I could have forgiven the 2 more runs he gave up, as I imagine it's tough to pitch with a broken collarbone.  But alas, cooler heads prevailed, and Posey trotted down to first, giving the Giants one more chance to go ahead.  And go ahead they did. Eventually,leading 3-2 going into the Cub's half of the 9th inning.

What is it with Cubs closers this year?  I've talked on the podcast with the lovable Lou Sears about  how these pitchers trying to close out the game, put extra pressure on themselves to wrap it up for a win.  That unnecessary extra pressure results in mistakes, thus runs, thus blown saves, and thus losses.  Granted, the fans in the stands are all a titter about going home with a win, standing, drunkenly chanting, and clapping randomly, but the closer, whoever it is, needs to just pretend it's the 3rd inning, and approach it as the routine 1-2-3 we Cub fans long for.  Maybe the fans could help set the scene by getting up to take a leak and buy a hot dog.  Let's all just pretend it's the third inning, and listen to the "W" from the bathroom, standing shoulder to shoulder singing "Go Cubs Go" from the iconic pee troughs of the Wrigley Field men's bathroom.  (Ladies, if you don't know what I'm talking about, find out by grabbing any random man in a Cubs hat and just say "Wrigley trough". Actually don't do that, it's weird... ).  So what changes in the 9th?  The only thing I can think of is that they stop selling beer, so many alcoholic fans have retreated to the Captain Morgans club, or one of Wrigleyville's many watering holes to watch the end of the game.  Maybe the absence of the constant chatter of "Beer here!", and "Get your Old Style", is unnerving to the pitcher.  It may be breaking the law to sell beer after the 8th, but I feel like we have to think outside the box for solutions.  I, Son Ranto, for one would be happy to 'take one for the team' and buy beer from vendors in the 9th.  Hell!  I'll even make the sacrifice to buy and drink beer  in extra innings.  Yes.  I love the Cubs that much.  It's all about sacrifice.

OK.  Ranto Rant over.....We won the game!!!!  And I was there!!!!

I took a little time off of my busy schedule of complaining about everything, procrastinating and drinking at home, to ride my bike the mile or so down to the Friendly Confines.  I was feeling generous, so I gave a scalper 10$ for a Box Seat and got to the game around the 5th inning.  Might I add, I decided to go down there in the 15 minute period where the sun was out.  I had been listening on the radio, as my poverty lacks Comcast Sports net and  It was 1-0 when I got to the stadium.  I heard Castro's homer from the roar of the crowd and Captain Morgan's amplified broadcadst, and found me a scalper.  2-0 is where it stayed until the fiasco 9th.  And I was like "Just great!  I come down here to sit in the cold rain to watch the Cubs blow another one. 2 damn days in a damned row".  I was truly questioning my purpose on earth, along with my horrific life choices, when the Cubs came to bat in the 9th...and from the ashes rose the phoenix!

The 9th started wonderfully with Dionner Navarro, who's aversion to running the bases, gives him extra incentive to hit home runs, did just that.  At 5'9", and 205 lbs, he prefers a trot as opposed to a full out sprint.  But it's fine by me.  Trot away Dionner!  So tie game, and I'm figuring extra innings, basically, because I don't have a whole ton of faith in this team to score twice off  Romo, the Giants closer, who was lights out the day before.  My pessimism was briefly vindicated by watching Valbuena and "Oh God!  why is this guy still on the team?" Brent Lillibridge strike out.  So two outs, and DeJesus doubles, Castro singles.  We win!!!

I must admit, I welled up a bit while singing "Go Cubs Go" with my drunken brethren.  To steal a victory from the jaws of defeat with my fellow inebriated Chicagoans was just as sweet as any thing that's happened to me ever.  Seriously.  Ever.  There are few better feelings for a baseball fan than a walk off win.  Of course I prefer it happen in a 4 game sweep of  the World Series (don't think my heart can take a 7 gamer).  But I felt great walking out of there!  Seriously wonderful!  The fans were still singing on the streets.  The atmosphere was jubilant!  Hopefully, this walk off win can carry the team with confidence into the weekend and beyond.  Especially Starlin Castro, who has failed miserably to be the hero all season until yesterday.  Way to go Starlin!  You acted the champion we all hope you'll be!

So, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend todays 12:05 start.  I'm going to watch some little kids play soccer in the burbs, and hang out with my Michigan cousins.  But I'll be back in the Friendly Confines tomorrow.  Up in the FC!  Got tickets?  Cause I don't.  Hit me up at sonranto@gmail.com, and of course http://www.sonranto.com.  Don't forget to check out the podcast here!

Let's go get a W today!  It's Madison Bumgarner (who I understand garners bums for the Giants) vs.  Our very own ace Shark Samardzija.

Let's go Cubbies!

PS.  Clevenger looked good at 3rd.  Get rid of Lillibridge!