Cubs Start Home Winning Streak by Getting Blown Out by the Nationals

Not exactly how Lou hoped things would go. Big Z returned, racked up 95 pitches in under five innings, and the bullpen (recently augmented by Tom Gorzelanny) didn't fare any better. In the end, it was 15-6 Washington. Eegads. So much for getting back on track in the Friendly Confines. Josh Willingham (five runs, six driven in on four hits, including two home runs) sure found it friendly.

Piniella went through five relievers, starting with Aaron Heilman, who let in all three inherited runners on one swing. Sean Marshall was next, survived the sixth but couldn't escape the seventh without the help of Angel Guzman.

Next up was Gorzelanny, taking the ball in the eighth. With Zambrano off the DL, Gorz was pushed to the pen while Esmailin Caridad was optioned back to Iowa. Keving Gregg, demoted within the bullpen this past week, worked the ninth inning. Not nice, a taste of honey is worse than none at all.

Their final lines (from cubs.com):

pitcher      IP   H   R  ER  BB  K  HR
Zambrano    4.1   7   8   8   3  4   1
Heilman     0.2   1   1   1   0  1   1
Marshall    1.1   3   3   3   1  2   0
Guzman      0.2   1   0   0   0  0   0
Gorzelanny  1.0   2   3   3   1  1   1
Gregg       1.0   0   0   0   1  0   0
Total       9.0  14  15  15   6  8   3

Yea, not good.

As I noted on twitter a few days ago, Gregg has ditched the splitter in favor of a cutter. His splitter is not a very good pitch, yielding a run value slightly in favor of the hitters, so we'll see if the cutter is any better. Gregg also threw a two-seam fastball (or sinker), which, oddly, could be his most effective pitch.

Zambrano came out throwing the ball hard, but his velocity declined each inning.



Hopefully Rich Harden can beat the freshly inked Livan Hernandez. J.D. Martin and end this hideous run. Even if for a day. Here's more on Martin, a rookie.