Back to the Action, the Cubs slip and slide

The Colorado Rockies, ladies and gentlemen. A frustrating opponent, given their ability to scratch out wins even though their win-loss record would say otherwise. There is power there, and a little luck, and the Cubs had no response. Nothing.

Jason Jennings, 2-6 on the season with a 6.37 ERA (Career: 45-40, 5.15), tossed 7 innings of 1-hit, 1-run baseball, stifling the Cubs and giving them the game. The Cubs stranded 8 on base, just looking awful with the bat.

The Cubs sole run came from a Todd Walker RBI (welcome back, Hot Rod), scoring Barrett from 2nd. In contrast, the Rockies scored 5 runs and left 6 on base, with the cold Preston Wilson (not cold anymore, it would seem) being the main destroyer - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI.

It was just bad bad bad from the Cubbies - with several chances to jump back into the game, we were impotent. The best example came in the 8th, against nervy Jay Witasick. After relieving Jennings who allowed a Neifi single to right and walked Walker, Witasick faced runners on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs and the meat of the lineup ahead. Derrek Lee popped out to first on his FIRST PITCH, Burnitz grounded out to second on his THIRD PITCH, and Ramirez grounded out to first on his SECOND PITCH. There you go Witasick - we get ourselves out, so you don't have to.

I don't feel like talking about this game much longer given the outcome, although Mr. Computer Carlos pitched reasonably well. After all the media brouhaha surrounding his email sessions, he threw 110 pitches in 7 innings of work - 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K - not his best, but not his worst either. Carlos took the loss, and fell to 3-3 on the season so far.

Today should be better, with Prior on the mound. 2.20 PM ET start, let's get our shit together.


Starters:
COL: LHP Joe Kennedy • 3-4, 6.56 ERA in 2005 • 0-0, 3.60 ERA in 2004 vs. CHC
CHC: RHP Mark Prior • 4-1, 2.95 ERA in 2005 • 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 2004 vs. COL