Record: 3-4 (1-3 vs. Reds, 2-1 vs. Mets)
The week started with the Humongous Maroon collection of Gears & Widgets extending their winning streak at Wrigley Field to about 300 games (Reds manager Dusty Baker is now responsible for as many Cub losses at Wrigley as a Reds manager as he is on the hook for when he managed the Cubs).
Mercifully, Julio Borbon knocked a game-winner in the 14th inning Thursday to salvage one win in the series. Derrick Rose participated in pregame warm-ups and took batting practice but Dale Sveum did not play him in any games. Rose was unavailable for comment.
After escaping with their heads intact vs. Cincy, the boys headed to New York to take on the Mets. Edwin Jackson won the first game of the series (his second straight “W”) and lowered his ERA to a microscopic 5.40, followed by a typically dominant “Feldmania” performance in the Saturday tilt (a win and two-run single). The Cubs completed the sweep with a 3-0 win Sunday as Carlos Marmol pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save.*
*Just kidding. Those that watched the horror unfold know Marmol served up two Met homers in the ninth to blow the game 4-3. Let’s try and pretend this didn’t happen.
According to Stats, Inc., Cub pitchers set a major league record by driving in 19 runs in May (and with Feldman’s two RBI performance vs. the Mets, we can assume they’ll break that record in June). Cub pitchers are now more of an offensive threat than Cub hitters, the Blackhawks power play and the Chicago Fire offense.
MVP: Nate Schierholtz – He continued his hot hitting with two long balls this week and remained one of about three guys in the Cub line-up that caused any opposing pitcher to worry (Cody Ransom & Ryan Sweeney being the others).
LVP: Right Field wall at Citi Field – Knocked out Mr. Excitement David DeJesus with a bone-crunching hit. DeJesus was placed on the D.L. but vowed revenge on the wall.
Ask the Magic 8-Ball: Is batting Darwin Barney leadoff the solution or is the problem a roster largely filled with incompetence?
Magic 8-Ball says: “Concentrate and ask again”
