Impressive

I don't know what was more impressive yesterday -- Rich Harden's seven innings, the Hawaiian little leaguers victory at the LLWS, or the big flying cheese wheels at the Olympic closing ceremonies. You'll have to forgive me, but I turned off the Olympic closing ceremonies about ten minutes in. I just don't care about that kind of stuff. I'm not big on ceremonies. Maybe after the WS this year I will be. Hope so.

Big deal. Fukudome hits a pinch hit homer. Guy comes in and somehow accidentally throws a fastball right onto the barrel of the "bailers" bat and suddenly he's fine? Even Brenley said that nothing had changed in the swing. The ball hit the bat. Unfortunate news for Fontenot, who will now sit for another week or two while Funkodome goes into his patented 1 for 14 run. Fontenot hit the ball for an opposite field double yesterday right on the screws, too. Why wasn't that a headline?

Pirates load the bases with none out yesterday in the top of the eleventh (or whatever) and could not score against G. Mota. How pathetic is that? Naturally, the Brewers came out and immediately scored the game winner after that to sweep the Pirates. Now we have to sweep the same stinking Pirates. Milwaukee moves on to play St. Mary's School for the Blind.

DeRosa is on a roll. He's a great guy. Great interview after the game. Ivy Leaguer. Okay, I'll say it. I'm so glad we didn't trade for Brian Roberts.

Marquis Marks: guy pitches great. Except for one inning every time out. What's that all about? He is pitching well...but he's pitching himself off the offseason roster. And possibly out of the starting rotation. He seems to be a good guy, too, and a good teammate. I would like to see him come around and quit falling apart once a game.

We get a second chance at Karstens today. No excuses this time to get shut down by this kid. Last time it was: "we'd never seen him" -- that won't work again today.

Personally, with or without DLee in the lineup, I like Aramis is the three spot. Lee hasn't been a bonafide 3 hitter since May.

Edmonds is slumping -- 0 for some time, but at least he's still patient. Gets a walk or two a game. Young guys need to learn from that. That said, he needs to drop in the order a little until the bat comes around. Seven might be a good spot for him for now. DeRosa can and should be hitting five while he's this hot.

Hoffpauir should hit fourth. Oh, wait. He's still in the minors. Another four hit game for him the other day.

The Felix Pie "era" was a short one.

Let's get Ted Lilly some run support tonight. He deserves it after his last outing.

Go Cubs.

best to cb

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