MLB Throws Wet Blanket (Tarp?) on Cubs ‘Victory’

August 21, 2014 @ admin →

Thursday thoughts (or as close as we generally get to such things around here): The Chicago Cubs lost a victory Wednesday. And then they went out and played a game against the San Francisco Giants. Which they also lost.

Video of Samantha Rodriguez posted below. What some of us call work.

* On the bright side, the Cubs still have a chance to win Tuesday’s game. The contest initially was called after 4 1/2 innings because the Wrigley Field infield was unplayable after rain — combined with the problem of covering the field with a tarp. Consequently, the umpires called the contest after waiting 4 hours and 34 minutes. Major League Baseball upheld the Giants’ protest. So rather than a 2-0 victory, the Cubs have a 2-0 lead with the contest to resume at 4:05 p.m. Thursday. Any way you look at it, the Cubs are still in last place in their division and the Giants are still fighting for first place in theirs.

* And then there was Wednesday night’s game. Edwin Jackson started for the Cubs and former White Sox Jake Peavy started for San Francisco. Neither finished, although Jackson was finished far earlier than Peavy. Jackson was gone after 2 2/3 innings, while Peavy lasted seven innings in an 8-3 Giants victory. Jackson allowed seven runs,as his earned-run average rose to 6.09 (or about double that of a good pitcher’s ERA).

* On the bright (?) side for the Cubs, second baseman Javier Baez went 1-for-4 without striking out. Yes, this is considered a positive by some in Cubdom.

* After a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox are a season-worst nine games under .500. Or what the Cubs might call a good season.

* On the bright (?) side for the Sox, Avisail Garcia drove in all the team’s run. Yes, it’s time to look for consolation prizes (as if it hasn’t been for a while).

* Speaking of the Sox, former catcher A.J. Pierzynski — who recently joined the St. Louis Cardinals and took jersey No. 35 to honor former teammate Frank Thomas — has his old No. 12 back, thanks to a trade of numbers with infielder Greg Garcia. Meanwhile, another new Cardinal, pitcher John Lackey made a deal with Pat Neshek to have his jersey No. 41. Lackey gave Neshek a Babe Ruth autographed baseball. Don’t expect A.J. to come close to matching such generosity, although he might be willing to give Garcia an autographed baseball signed by A.J. Pierzynski.

* Derrick Rose has body fatigue. But his knee is fine, even if there is mild soreness. Or so the story goes with the Chicago Bulls guard and Team USA. Coming back from surgery that had the former NBA Most Valuable Player miss most of the 2013-14 season, Rose sat out practice for the second consecutive day. No big deal. Unless perhaps you are a Bulls fan, Bulls coach or Bulls management. Or a television network that has signed on to showcase the 2014-15 Bulls.

This is Lynda Carter, not Roman Gabriel.

* If it’s Thursday (and the chances of that seem exceptionally good, especially because yesterday was Wednesday — provided that today is Aug. 20, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time once again for the weekly wonder known as “Sports & Torts.” That the 60-minute interview program co-hosted by David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. This week’s show features former NFL quarterback Roman Gabriel, who played for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. Before that, he was a college star at North Carolina State. Among Gabriel’s football accomplishments was winning the 1969 NFL MVP award. Among his non-football accomplishments was appearing in some movies and television shows. Among his TV appearances was a role on “Wonder Woman.” The series starred Lynda Carter in the title role. Which explains why we have decided to run her photo rather than one of Gabriel. Anyway, the “Sports & Torts” episode featuring him also will be available later Thursday via podcast on the Talkzone.com web site.

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