Cubs Are Wild

The Sox pitching staff was dismantled by the Chicago Cubs lineup. Generally, I enjoy afternoon weekday games, as I get to turn gameday onto my work computer. This time, however, it was less than a pleasure.

The good: Tito recognized that an eight-run deficit is an appropriate place for Alan Embree to pitch. David Ortiz hit two homers. Millar had a pinch hit, Olerud a pinch walk. Bellhorn stroked one out of the park.

The bad: Manny went 0-for-4, dropping his average below .250. Sox batters saw 3.25 pitches per plate appearance. In the innings when the game was still within reach (4th, 5th, and 6th), Maddux threw 9, 9, and 8 pitches to 4, 3, and 4 batters, respectively. With an eleven-run lead, Tito brought in Mike Timlin. He probably needed work, but if he had gotten into an extended inning it could have taken out for tomorrow, which the Sox need to win. In the third, Arroyo didn't even attempt to lay down a bunt with a runner on third and one out. Instead, he looked at two strikes, and swung at a third.

The ugly: Bronson Arroyo. John Halama. Alan Embree. Will this pitching staff ever turn it around?