LIVE: Opening Day
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks4:06 PM — This is my first chance to watch the Len Kaspar/Bob Brenly duo in the broadcast booth, and while they're efficient and professional, they just don't have the rapport of Chip and Steve, or even Pat and Ron. I suppose I'm just biased. Plus, Brenly used to coach the D-Backs, for cryin' out loud.
4:10 — Zambrano will start for the Cubs against ex-Yankee Javier Vasquez. This is a tremendous honor to be bestowed upon young Carlos, given that Greg Maddux could just as easily have started.
4:13 — First pitch: strike to Patterson.
4:14 — Base hit for Corey and an early hit-and-run attempt with Walker. I like the aggressiveness. No more waiting for the three-run poke, fellas.
4:18 — Wild pitch, sac fly by Walker, groundout by Nomar: Cubs lead 1-0 on a fine job of manufacturing the run.
4:20 — Base hit by Ramirez, who today inked a 4-year re-up for his contract. First AB by Burnitz, now. Amazing stat by Kaspar: the last Cubs Opening Day RF who wasn't Sammy Sosa? Andre Dawson.
4:21 — Base hit! Nickel-and-dime 'em, Cubbies!
4:23 — Base hit by Lee, and the carousel continues. Let's see if Zambrano hits before he pitches.
4:27 — Vasquez gets Holly on the high cheese and the inning ends.
4:29 — They talked about what a great year Zambrano had last year, and how impressive his spring was, and his first pitch: well wide of Michael Barrett's glove. But after running 3-0 on Craig Counsell, he popped out.
4:34 — Luis Gonzalez strikes out looking and the D-Backs go in order in the first.
4:38 — Zambrano gets the first XBH of the year. Way to go, hoss!
4:40 — Patterson rips a single to right center and Zambrano wheels all the way home, 3-0. Let's get a big inning and get the kid some rest, eh?
4:43 — Nomar bloops one into center and Patterson comes home. 4-0, four straight hits by the Cubs. This is starting to remind me of the 15-2 shellacking the Cubs put on the Mets a couple years ago. The bullpen's already seeing activity.
4:45 — Ramirez goes off the wall and Walker and Nomar score. 6-0.
4:47 — Double for Derrek Lee and the Cubs are up a touchdown. Here comes the hook for Vasquez. His line: 1 2/3 IP, 10 H, at least 7 ER.
4:52 — Some geezer took a dive after a foul ball. I think he's related to Steve Bartman. Gonzo gave him the ball and he got an ovation.
4:53 — The inning ends unspectacularly, but 5 in the second for the Cubs. Let's have some of that all year.
5:01 — Zambrano cruises through Glaus and Green but Jose Cruz, Jr. goes yard. Fine. See if you can get six more.
5:04 — Carlos K's the side but the Cruz homer makes it 7-1.
5:18 — Have I mentioned my favorite play in baseball is a 4-6-3 double play? That was a nice rally-killer.
5:19 — Gonzo wrecks the shift by dragging a squeeze bunt. I don't know why players who have that shift put on them don't do that every time.
5:20 — Oops! Glaus' excuse-me swing ends the inning. Cubs up 7-2.
5:26 — Ramirez' run-scoring double play reestablishes a six-run cushion.
5:35 — I HATE MY JOB. I've just been called in to cover for somebody. But with the Cubs up six, I was starting to feel silly tracking the game minute-by-minute, anyway. But still.
posted by Marsh @ 5:06 PM
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