WaitingForNextYear

I had to watch yesterday’s game on WGN, and deal with their home announcers.  One thing they brought up was the fact that when he left town, Kerry Wood took out a whole page ad (much like our boy CC) in the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times thanking Cubs fans for the support over the years.  I don’t really know why I’m pointing this out, but I just wanted to do so.

Anyways, about the game.  Bright spots: Luis Valbuena.  The setup guys pitched really well for once.  That’s right – they did well!  6 scoreless innings.  Wowza.

The bad: pretty much everything else.  Vic the Stick was 0 for 6.  Kelly Shoppach embarrassed us all.  Tribe batters were 10 for 46.  Also known as a .217 batting average for the game.

What’s worse is the false hope that we were given, once again.  In the top of the eighth the Cubs walked the bases loaded, only to have Kelly Shoppach strike out on three straight pitches.  Finally in the 13th the Tribe got a run from Luis Valbuena via his second home run of the day.  I, like many of you, was foolish enough to get excited about this.

In came Kerry Wood for a save.  He immediately gave up a hit to Fukodome.  Fukodome stole second and advanced to third after Kelly Shoppach put the pickoff throw into center field.  A single into center field scored the runner.  Boom – tie ballgame.  Another single pushed the winning run to third base.  Then came the wild pitch that is still replaying in my mind.  Ballgame over.  Not on a hit, just on horrible, horrible pitching.

Best part?  Hearing all about the “Cardiac Cubbies” who have come from behind to win three games in a row.  One more game today.  I feel sorry for the folks that made the trip to Chicago for the games, only to sit through two heartbreaking losses.  Here’s to you folks – have a safe trip home.