The Cubs demolish Scott Linebrink, Part II

Will someone please tell Scott Linebrink to stay at home when the Cubs come to The Cell next week? Yeah, none of the Cubs' runs in the 8th inning Thursday were earned thanks to a Chris Getz error (talk about an up and down game defensively), but we've seen this movie before. Last year, it was Aramis Ramirez's walk off at Wrigley that ruined my day - and, subsequently, Linebrink's season (he was great before, awful after). Now it's back-to-back shots by Lee and Soto, two guys who haven't hit for power all season (especially Soto).

It sucks, of course, to blow a four run lead in the bottom of the 8th against the freaking Cubs at Wrigley, but I can't say I'm too surprised the first installment of this series ended at 1-1 after the first game was rained out. It seems to always work out that way when these teams play an even number of games, you know?

 I surely wasn't nearly upset as the Hawkeroo, who will probably be talking about that non-strike call to Soriano for the rest of the year. He was so visibly upset that Comcast's Pat Boyle even joked (joked?) "Hawk's gonna need a hug after that one," to start off the post-game show.

Other notes from Game 2...

More Hawk: I've heard a lot of Hawk home run calls during my day, but I think his call of Alexei Ramirez's two-run homer in the 7th was one of the most excited I've ever heard him. He let out a "HELLL YESSS" so passionate it was boarderline violent. Hawk had so much adrenaline going through him that I think he actually turned into Michael Duncan Clark for a second. 

I said in my series preview post that smart people don't like the Crosstown Classic. I think it's say to say that a) Hawk probably had a lower ACT/SAT score than most people who read this site (remember, he was a baseball player, arguably the dumbest group of athletes), and b) he loves nothing more than watching his Sox beat the Cubs. Good man. Hawk Harrelson, not so different from you and I.

- Speaking of Alexei, if you had to bet on one guy to take the 'Cubs Killer' mantle from Carlos Lee, Jose Valentine, Paulie and JD into the next decade, it's gotta be him, right? Something tells me last year's grand slam against the Tigers in Game 162 was only the first the many memorable moments from Alexei before his career is over. That is assuming he doesn't destroy his back trying to Matrix his way out of fastball headed at his chin.

- Gordon Beckham's best day in the majors? I'd say so. If not for Linebrink's Mike MacDougal impression, this post would have been all about Becks. Even so, let's not let an ugly loss overshadow the first real good day of Beckham's pro career.

He reached base all four times he went to the plate (two hits, a walk, and a HBP), drove in a run and scored a run.

After a slow start, Beckham now has a modest four game hitting streak going. It doesn't look like he let the early slump get him down too much, which is always something I worry about when a can't miss, super stud prospect gets his first dose of reality in pro sports. Think about it: these guys (Beckham, Rose, ect.) have dominated at every level they've ever played at. A guy like Beckham has (probably) always been clearly the best player on his team since he started playing the game.

I was curious to see how he'd handle starting off 0-13 or whatever it was, and I'm pleased to say it looks like he passed the FAIL test with flying colors. Like The Cheat wrote earlier today, no need to worry about Beckham, he'll be just fine.

- Tweet from ChicagoNow head honcho, TTCS big brother, and noted Cubbie Blue bleeder Jimmy Greenfield live from Wrigley during the 6th inning:

Soooo glad I left. #cubs are unwatchable, done for the year and I'm ready for #chicagobears to start training camp

As soon as I read that, I knew the Sox were going to blow it. Thank a lot, Jim.