Ryan Theriot is in no way whatsoever to blame for the result of the Cubs and Brewers game tonight

Similar to last night, the Cubs pissed away scoring opportunities most of the night. Derrek Lee and Milton Bradley continue to struggle at the plate and despite the team’s 3/4 hitters struggling as they are, the Cubs are still averaging 5.2 runs per game. Considering the struggles of 2 of the team’s best hitters, that’s impressive. It’s only 5 games and if those 2 continue to struggle the runs per game will come down, but we know both of them will hit. Milton Bradley is still reaching base and has been one of the most patient hitters in baseball, but tonight Mike Fontenot took over for Bradley who failed to reach base. Fontenot was 0-1, but walked 3 times and the at-bat he had in the 8th inning was one hell of an at-bat. He got down 0-2 and battled back and after 14 pitches he had earned the walk. Oh yeah, the Cubs beat the Brewers 6-5 for the few of you who didn’t watch this. There really aren’t that many things to talk about it, but there are a few so we’ll do that here. Carlos Zambrano Coming off his first Opening Day win in 5 attempts, Zambrano was a bit erratic to start the game and it was made worse by the Brewers fouling off seemingly every other pitch he threw. He threw 27 pitches in the 1st innings, but didn’t allow a run. The 2nd inning was a bit easier, but he had 45 pitches after 2 innings. He threw another 25 pitches in the 3rd and the Brewers took a 1-0 lead. he surrendered 2 runs in the 4th and it appeared his night was about over as he was at 88 pitches. Then Zambrano settled in and worked 2 relatively quick and dominating innings to finish his night off. Some people will say 118 pitches is a lot, but Zambrano can handle it. This was discussed a bit in the threads and if Zambrano had a longer 5th inning he probably doesn’t work the 6th, but he finished the night with 6 innings pitched, 7 hits, 3 runs (earned), 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. The so-called quality start, which was pretty good considering how the game was going in the 4th inning. It was a mixed outing for Zambrano, but he finished it on a high note. His velocity remained consistent the whole game. Gameday says his fastball averaged 92.47 mph. He had really good velocity all night and dialed it up to 95 and 96 a few times. Bullpen After getting down 3-0 the Cubs offense tied the game at 3 in the top of the 7th and Lou went to the bullpen beginning with Angel Guzman. Guzman got Weeks out and then walked the next 2 batters he faced and was then yanked in favor of Neal Cotts. Cotts walked the only batter he faced too. Lou was so upset when they showed the dugout. He was yelling at Larry Rothschild and make Larry run out there and take Cotts out. Heilman came into the game and quickly allowed a 2 RBI single up the middle. Thanks to some funny baserunning by Big Prince the Cubs were able to turn a double play and get out of the inning without further damage. Heilman pitched the 8th inning as well. He was pretty good tonight. Alfonso Soriano In the 8th inning Aramis Ramirez hit a home run to bring the Cubs to within a run at 5-4. As the 8th inning ended with Ryan Theriot grounding out on one pitch after Fontenot’s 14-pitch at-bat it was clear to anyone watching that the Cubs only chance in the game was Alfonso Soriano in the 9th. Heilman would have to hold the Brewers at 5 and then Koyie Hill would leadoff followed by a pinch hitter and then Soriano. The Cubs had a chance. Get a runner on in front of Soriano and you can take the lead. Koyie Hill looked rather awful in his at-bat and then Reed Johnson softly lined a single to CF. The Cubs had that chance. first pitch from the Brewers acting-closer, Carlos Villanueva was right down the middle of the plate and Soriano hit it a very, very long way. Cubs lead 6-5. For a player who supposedly never hits home runs that counts, that one seemed pretty important. Carlos Marmol I had speculated earlier in the day that if there was a save opportunity in tonight’s game that Lou would choose to go with Carlos Marmol. Moments after Soriano’s long home run, Marmol was up in the pen getting ready. Hey, sometimes I’m right. It just seemed like something Lou would do. I’m pretty sure he did the same thing last year after Woody blew a save at some point too and for some reason I thought Lou might do it again. You have to be right once in awhile, right? Besides allowing a single, Marmol made each of the Brewers hitters look pretty silly, which is what he usually does. The Cubs won the game behind a huge home run from Soriano. They didn’t score as many as they could have, but Fukudome chipped in with 2 RBI (home run and a double), Fontenot took 3 walks, Ramirez hit a home run and Soriano drove in 3 (drove in a run earlier on a bases loaded groundout). Guzman and Cotts sucked tonight, but Heilman and Marmol were really good. Zambrano got off to a rough start, but settled down and pitched 6 pretty good innings against an offense that is going to score a lot of runs. Pretty fun baseball game to watch tonight.