Having rallied from a 6-2 deficit, the Cubs were ahead 7-6 in the eighth, on the verge of winning 8-in-a-row. Then this happened:
Marshall, one of the most dependable relievers in the game, made a good pitch on Joey Votto leading off the eighth and got Votto to pop the ball into short center field.
Shortstop Starlin Castro initially called for the ball, but center fielder Byrd raced in and called Castro off, only to slip and fall. The ball dropped for a double. Marshall got a strikeout but gave up 2 hits and a walk, and the Reds went ahead for good this time.
“It hurts, it hurts,” Byrd said. “We didn’t lose on that ball, but that inning completely changes if I catch that ball, if I don’t slip.
“It’s one of those things where if you get the out, it’s two outs. When there’s a guy on second base, everything changes. It didn’t happen for us today. I liked the way we played all game long. We didn’t give up.”
The field was soaked by a heavy rain before the game. And the outfield has been on the mend since last week’s Paul McCartney concerts.
“I don’t think it’s OK,” said Byrd of the field. “But you had the concert. You had the rain the last couple days. That didn’t help. When I landed — obviously, I slipped — I went a good three feet.
“It’s one of those things that you try to get the field ready, but when it’s raining every single day, what can you do about the outfield?”
“There’s no straight-line graph that takes you without some pitfalls,” said manager Mike Quade, who has gotten on Castro about careless play from time to time. “But he’s made progress in a lot of areas. He’s stealing a base here and there. I think he’s been better at short. And he continues to swing the bat.
“A developing young player, you’d like to see get better, and he’s done a real good job at this point.
“The thing I’ve been impressed with is he’s gotten hot and probably has had less rest than anybody and continues to motor. There’s still a lot of baseball left, so we’ll keep an eye on him the rest of August and September.
“That’s another thing you like to see. Not just a guy that’s good, but he’s grinding through a tough time of the year and still playing with energy and playing successful.”
“There are definitions of certain players in the game,” said hard-nosed center fielder Marlon Byrd. “Campy’s a gamer. He’s one of those guys who’s coming up here and learning and getting better. He plays the game the right way.
“That’s the easy part. You don’t have to ask him to hustle. You don’t have to ask him to be in the right place at the right time. He knows how to play the game.”
![fiveonfive[1]](http://aeryssports.com/a-league-of-her-own/files/2011/03/fiveonfive1.jpg)
Glad we have a player that plays they game the right way. I hate when some of these big leaguers start running the wrong way around the bases and such. What a stupid saying.
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Another big decision today…that company that I turned down for a job a few weeks ago came back to me and asked me to reconsider with a slightly nicer offer.
ugh!
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They must want you bad. You said that you would not take another job unless it gets you back to Chicago. Does this company have offices in Chicago? You never know, this position maybe a step closer to getting back to Chicago. Never know.
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They had an office in Chicago…until 2008.
Looking at things right now, the company might be in for some bad times again. The decision will be made by noon tomorrow.
I’ve been going back and forth on this.
I should just say “screw it” and quit my current job, forget about the new job and go and open up the restaurant I’ve always wanted to start.
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I would normally complain about Campanarama being Sam Fuld, Redux, and how it’s stupi that Cubs fans like teeny tiny players who slam into walls more than guys who play well every single day.
But, since Campanarama was my catcher, and because he was funny and awesome to talk to, I won’t.
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During the 29-hour Yankess-Red Sux game last night, the subject of Campana came up and both Orel H. & Valentine had high praise for him. Valentine then stated that for non-competing teams this is an golden oppertunity to see how their younger players can perform,especially in hot weather….
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Hmmmm. Yes. Indeed.
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too bad quade won’t get that memo.
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Reed needs to see his share of lefties.
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*ack*
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I just wish Campana could get on base more.
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Happy Birthday to our very own baturkey!
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Yet another reminder about the meetup on Wednesday. Everyone is welcome!
http://twtvite.com/o3iwt2
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Check out this story on Zambrano being awesome:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/carlos-zambrano-and-the-all-time-homer-list-for-pitchers/
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Haha, you just implied the cubs won 7 in a row before yesterday.
Not falling for your shenanigans.
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It happened in the alternative universe,along with the Cubs pitching not actually causing them to lose, and the Cubs actually hitting the ball…
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I wonder if Paul McCartney knows that he ruined the Cubs?
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I think Sir Paul is known as a Yankees fan,so it would not upset him to hurt the Cubs,if he even knows who the Cubs are….
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GD, its after the trade deadline, the Cubs need a decent stretch or 2 to justify not doing anything over the off season
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If George is an MBE, then Paul is just an MBE as well, IMO. Paul is the most overrated Beatle.
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dammit paul! us old goddam longhair hippie freaks could have been singing “number 9, number 9, number 9″. and don’t bogart that…..
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So another game that I can’t watch tonight, its like the Cubs are hoping I won’t pay attention to the season
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I think they feel they can limit the damage to the fan base by restricting the number of games non-Chicagoland Cubs fans can see…..
And by “they” I mean THE MAN…..
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“Damn the Man. Rave on. Rave on.”
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i’m not doing a game thread until I know whether or not we’re playing. Currently in a rain delay.
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Game postponed, to be made up thursday at 1:20 pm CT.
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