Boxscore

With the Cubs leading 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th, you would think this game was over. Heck, I thought it was over long before that, having stopped watching after it was tied. I know the Reds, and once the Cubs tied, I figured it was good as over. Besides, I had a heapin’ helpin’ of lawn work to do.

Imagine my surprise when I found time to relax in front of my computer hours later to find that the Cubs had managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And to the Reds, no less! Dusty Baker’s Reds.

Crazy. I guess even a crappy, incompetent baseball buffoon like Baker can swing blindly into a win once in a while. Of course, it helps that the Cubs are in the midst of a free fall that’s drawing comparisons to their collapse in 1969. Gotta love the unnecessary, additional pressure that silly curses place on players.

How far down the rabbit hole will they go? We’ll just have to continue to watch as Chicago travels to St. Louis. Until, then, buy a t-shirt.

View image.

The Red Hot Store now features a brand new t-shirt design. This one lacks the wit and subtlety you’ve come to expect from Red Hot Mama in favor of a little straight up player hatin’ on the Cubs.

They’re in first, after all. It’s only natural to spew a little jealous vitriole. Plus, I’m happy to finally be doing my part for all the people who hit the site on searches for “Cubs suck t-shirts.”

Buy the shirt.

Now, I’m a big Lou Piniella fan. He’s the last great manager the Reds have had, and he cleaned up the pile of crap Dusty Baker deposited in Chicago more quickly than I ever could have imagined. But the symbolism of Piniella getting lost are very delicious.

As I write, the Cubs are down 9-0 to the Reds. That’s right, 9 to nothing. Should Cincinnati hold on, Chicago will have lost its 6th game in a row. Apparently, Piniella’s not the only one taking a nap.

Boxscore

The Reds celebrated elimination day yesterday by showing the world that the rebuilding Pirates are a better team than them. I wish they would have celebrated by firing Dusty Baker, but perhaps the club’s saving that for wild card elimination day next week.

I won’t get my hopes up.

Edinson Volquez wasn’t so good for the Reds, allowing 4 runs in 7 innings. He hasn’t been as good since the All Star break, either. Hopefully it has to do with not ever pitching at this high level of competition before. I’d hate for Cincinnati to have another Jack Armstrong.

Boxscore

The Cubs lost their 5th game in a row and were swept by the Astros, all in the same game. One could jab at the Cubbies for collapsing down the stretch, but it’s not like the Brewers or Cardinals have taken advantage of Chicago’s losses. The Cubs remain 4.5 games in 1st place.

Of course, with Carlos Zambrano facing an MRI and an indeterminate future for the rest of the season and the lack of a pulse from the once-mighty offense, perhaps it is time to worry. After all, if you lose 5 games in a row in the playoffs, you’re toast.