Game 49 Recap: Dodgers 8, Cubs 2

It’s not a good sign when your team is playing Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, but you find yourself flipping to the MTV Movie Awards during the game itself. That’s exactly the situation I found myself in after the Los Angeles Dodgers pounced all over Sean Marshall and the Chicago Cubs for 5 runs in the top of the 1st inning.

It was really a game that felt a lot like the playoffs last year. Cubs fall behind early, Cubs play poor defense, Cubs sustain no consistent offensive rhythm, Cub fans try to convince themselves they can come back, but it never happens.

For me, it didn’t take much convincing myself to think the Cubs had a chance even after the Dodgers put up 5 1st inning runs because Eric Milton was on the mound. I have seen Eric Milton put up some epic stink bombs against the Cubs when he pitched for the Reds, so I thought the Cubs could rally against him.

Instead, he worked around plenty of Cub baserunners to work 5 scoreless innings before the Cubs finally broke through in the 6th. The Cubs loaded the bases for Reed Johnson with 2 singles and a HBP, then Reed Johnson chased Milton with a 2 run double. However, Ronald Belisario shut the door, striking Geovany Soto and coaxing a harmless deep fly ball by pinch hitter Micah Hoffpaiur.

The first 5 Dodgers reached base with singles to start the game before Sean Marshall finally struck out Matt Kemp. Journeyman infielder Mark Loretta then knocked in 2 with a double and Jamie Hoffman finished things off with a sac fly.

Even after the 1st inning, the Dodgers had Sean Marshall’s number. Marshall put up a quick scoreless 2nd inning, but Matt Kemp bomber a homer to left center to make up for a his 1st inning strikeout. The Dodgers chased Marshall with a walk and a double in the 5th and scored one more unearned run that was Marshall’s responsibility.

The Cubs bullpen tried to give the Cubs offense a chance to rally, turning in 4.2 scoreless innings and striking out 8. Jason Wadell was one of those relievers, tossing a scoreless 6th in his Major League debut, giving up a hit and K’ing 2 along the way. If he can step in Neal Cotts spot and throw strikes, this will make the Cubs a MUCH better team.

At the plate, the Cubs best performer was Reed Johnson, who has thrived of late in his first shot at consistent playing time. Starts for Reed have been hard to come by since the Cubs have faced righties almost exclusively, but he has gotten 5 starts in the past 8 days. He has responded with 10 hits in 22 AB’s. He also has 3 homers and 8 RBI’s. Lou Piniella needs to find ways to get him some more chances, because he has been really hot.

The Cubs get an off day to start June before heading on the road for a 9 game trip to Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Houston. Look for a preview of the Cubs-Braves series late tomorrow night.