As I sat in the freezing shade of the upper deck, during the 6th inning of Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Giants, I had no idea I was witnessing history. Edwin Jackson and Michael Bowden combined for a record 5 wild pitches in a regular season game during a single inning. The only time this pathetic feat was matched was during a playoff game when pitcher Rick Ankiel got the yips and couldn't pitch anymore. He eventually became an outfielder. The video's pretty awesome if you've never seen it and hate the Cardinals. But the video of yesterday's 6th inning is not awesome. I think they need to change the name of the 'catcher' position to 'misser', because that's what's been happening. The Cubs have combined for 13 wild pitches and 2 passed balls this season in only 12 games. That passed balls wild pitch number would be higher if there were men on base at all times, luckily there aren't. Combine these wild pitches with the 6th worst walk totals in the league (44), and what you got are opposing players getting triples without touching the ball. We are beating ourselves with these stupid mistakes. And there is blame to go around for certain. Castro makes an error, Feldman can't cover first. Result 4 runs. Wild pitches and passed balls yesterday resulted in all of the Giants early runs yesterday, and they barely even have to swing. It's a problem. I believe Navarro and Castillo could have blocked many of these wild pitches. They simply don't look good back there, Like there was a crossup with the pitcher or the wrong pitch called for. If you you are going to call for a pitch to bounce in front of home plate, you've got to be ready and able to block that pitch. These errors result in runs, tougher game situations for the pitchers, and unnecessary, frustrating losses. You leave each game thinking, "If only that one thing didn't happen, we would have won." That one mistake that opens the flood gates.
So the Giants take 3 of 4. We had a chance to win all of these games. Castro's error sunk us thursday. Fujikawa's pitching tried to sink us Friday, but we won in walk off style. On Saturday, The Cubs don't hit or score when The Shark is pitching. 0-7 with runners in scoring position. They fail to move lead off doubles to third. They strike out with bases loaded and no one out. It's just horrific. Then yesterday, they are one strike from victory, and the game is tied with a last minute Hunter Pence blast, only to have the go ahead run balked in in the 10th. Awful.
I'm not totally certain how to feel about all of this. Should I be excited that we almost beat the World Champion Giants, and even though we lost, at least we played them tough and made all the games close? Or should I feel that these guys that we are rebuilding the team with are just not very good, And will always be a day late and a dollar short. Only time will tell ultimately. I for one am thankful for this Monday off day before we play the Rangers this week. Maybe these guys can get their heads together to stop making the stupid mistakes. Giving teams 5 outs an inning along with free bases. Let's hope.
It's better to get beat fair and square playing a good clean game, than to beat yourselves with mental and physical errors. Confidence. Execution. Team spirit. All currently lacking. Is this poor management? Or just a young team trying to figure it out? Too early to tell, but the cracks are showing.
Hey. At least I didn't have to watch Lillibridge suck yesterday....
Enjoy your off day.
Go Cubbies!!
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