Superior Pitching Cripples Cubs In A Laugher

After striking out a season high 14 batters last night, the Cubs decided to return the favor to the Brewers by being sat down 15 times themselves.

Zack Greinke was dominant from the get-go, and that frankly was enough to stifle the Cubs offense, who only had 3 hits all game. To their credit, 2 of those 3 were doubles, but clutch hitting was lacking as Steve Clevenger missed a RISP opportunity by taking the first pitch and grounding out. Afterwards, it was Paul Maholm up to the plate after the bases were loaded on two walks, and he was quickly sat down on strikes. You know what they say, never send a pitcher in to do a batter’s job. Welcome to the National League, kids…. sometimes you just get stuck in a nasty part of the order. The baseball Gods have spoken.

Paul Maholm wasn’t terrible today, but got the hook early as he found himself in trouble in the 4th, giving up 4 runs, all earned.

Notably, Maholm was up to 70 pitches in the 4th inning, which is frankly far too many. He worked deep in the count in the early goings of this game versus the Brewer batters, and by the time the 4th came around, they had him figured out and lit him up. Randy Wells came in to relieve Maholm, but didn’t end up faring much better. Again, the baseball Gods have spoken.

Manuel Corpas (Manny for short) hit the mound today after being called up from AAA Iowa to get some work done in a low pressure situation. He was good, striking out 2 and having a clean boxscore otherwise. Neat mechanics, but it seems to work.

Carlos Marmol came in for some work in the 8th inning as well, and did what Marmol does best: gave up 3 earned on a homerun. Sure, the game was arguably out of reach at that time, but it can’t be good for his confidence or his trade value.

Not much else to be said about this blowout, sleeper of a match. The Cubs bats didn’t get the job done, while the Brewers got to the bullpen early.

For one last time, the baseball Gods have spoken.

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