MVN - Most Valuable Network

Wandy Outpitches Zambrano: Cubs Fans Unhappy

Yeah, I definitely believe I need to rub it in to all the Cubs fan in our House. Looked as if there weren’t quite as many tonight - sort of surprising because you’d think they’d be there expecting big Z to win, as usual. Not sure why I think he’s like 30-0 at the Box when he’s really 11-7. Maybe because he’s hit 5 homers here???

But the story is the Wand Man - 6 2/3 IP - think he got a little tired when he had to throw 8 pitches to start the inning to get Fukudome out. He scattered 9 hits, Kd 7 and didn’t walk anyone. He DID give up a homer to the Cubs best hitter, Zambrano, who hit a hanging curve juuuuuust over the RF wall - about 350′ - at least it wasn’t one of those 400′ into the RF bullpen jobs. But except for that hanger, Wandy had the curve working great and he didn’t get upset because the ump wouldn’t call any pitches at the knees. AND he hit a single to right center and scored a run.

Miggy has stayed hot - went 2fer 4 with an RBI and he made a great leaping catch for the last out. Erstad and Pence were both ofer but they both knocked in a run with a groundout. Matsui had 3 of the 6 Astros walks (yes, you read that right, the Astros, the worst team in the NL at drawing walks, had SIX walks) but got caught stealing and didn’t get driven in the other 2 times. The hitters hit 5 singles and PH Newhan hit a triple on the Hill. But it was enough, given Wandy’s ability to shut down the opposition.

Brocail and Valverde each pitched a scoreless inning and Chris Sampson got out the one hitter he faced, stranding the runner.

This afternoon, it’s Ryan Dempster: he’s started 20 games over 124.2 IP: 97 H, 11 HR, 50 BB, 104 K: 3.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a .212 BAA. He hasn’t historically done well at the Box: over 55.1 IP - 8 HR, 32 BB, 39 K: 4.55 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, .262 BAA. So be it and shall it remain.

Brandon this year has been like that little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead - when he’s good, he’s very very good and when he’s bad he’s horrid. Last 2 outings, he was very very good, hope he keeps it down (hahahaha). He gave up 2 ER/6 IP in his last start against the Cubs.

Roy Oswalt was finally put on the DL - and they are hoping he can come back and pitch a few days before the trade deadline.

They are trying to decide who to call up from Round Rock - they could call up Jack Cassel, who won last night giving up 2 ER over 5 IP, needing only 52 pitches - and, in fact, hasn’t lost since April, has a 1.95 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 65.2 IP.

or

Runs Elvys, who pitched 2 innings to start the game yesterday, giving up 1 ER over 2 IP, needing 33 pitches. And he’s 6-4 over 17 GS - 90.2 IP -76 H, 13 HR, 27 BB, 65 K: 4.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.

Jack gives just under a hit/IP, but hardly walks anyone and has only given up 4 homers, and pitches very efficiently.

Cecil is determined to leave poor Sampson in the bullpen, so it will be interesting to see how badly Runs Elvys has to pitch before Cooper gives in…

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 7:22 am and is filed under Wandy Rodriguez. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.