Even though I'm recovering from one of my worst ever hangovers, I'll give this live blog a go. This game is a makeup game for the game that was rained out June 4th, so the Cubs are just in Atlanta today. They'll head to Detroit immediately after the game for a 3-game series there.

Game: Chicago Cubs(34-31) @ Atlanta Braves(32-36)
Game Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV: CSN

Pitching Matchup:

Cubs- Ryan Dempster(4-4, 3.92 ERA)
Braves- Javier Vazquez(4-6, 3.51 ERA)

Lineups:

Cubs
1. Ryan Theriot, SS (.280, 6 HR, 26 RBI, .760 OPS)
2. Kosuke Fukudome, CF (.270, 5 HR, .822 OPS)
3. Jake Fox, LF (.286, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .749 OPS)
4. Derrek Lee, 1B (.287, 11 HR, 36 RBI, .860 OPS)
5. Micah Hoffpauir, RF (.261, 5 HR, 19 RBI, .759 OPS)
6. Geovany Soto, C (.225, 5 HR, 19 RBI, .698 OPS)
7. Mike Fontenot, 3B (.230, 6 HR, 26 RBI, .700 OPS)
8. Andres Blanco, 2B (.224, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .582 OPS)
9. Ryan Dempster, P (.100, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .290 OPS)

Braves
1. Nate McLouth, CF (.260, 12 HR, 43 RBI, .814 OPS)
2. Kelly Johnson, 2B (.226, 5 HR, 20 RBI, .672 OPS)
3. Chipper Jones, 3B (.297, 8 HR, 31 RBI, .902 OPS)
4. Brian McCann, C (.325, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .936 OPS)
5. Garret Anderson, LF (.280, 3 HR, 24 RBI, .698 OPS)
6. Casey Kotchman, 1B (.268, 2 HR, 26 RBI, .707 OPS)
7. Jeff Francoeur, RF (.245, 4 HR, 30 RBI, .614 OPS)
8. Diory Hernandez, SS (.129, 0 HR, RBI, .318 OPS)
9. Javier Vazquez, P (.077, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .265 OPS)

Top of the 1st

1st pitch to Theriot is outside, and same with the 2nd, 2-0. Now a fastball in for a strike. Theriot hits a groundball up the middle that a diving Hernandez can't get, so it's a single.

Fukudome hits a groundball on the 1st pitch right to the 2nd baseman Johnson, and the Braves turn the double play.

Fox hits a hard groundball to the left side of the infield, again past a diving Hernandez for a single.

Derrek Lee takes a strike, and another. 0-2. Lines a single into center, giving him a 19-game hitting streak, and a 29-game on-base streak. It's the longest hitting streak of his career.

Hoffpauir tries to check his swing but went around apparently. 2-1 on Hoffpauir. It rained a bit earlier apparently, but more rain is not anticipated tonight. Full count now, the runners will be going with 2 outs. Hoffpauir swings through a slow curveball in the strike zone to end the inning. Cubs get 3 singles in the inning but no runs. That double play really hurt.

Bottom of the 1st

1-1 on McLouth. 1-2 as McLouth loses his bat into the stands, now a ball to even the count. Ball outside. Nasty slider but it would've been ball 4 swung at and missed by McLouth.

1-0 on Kelly Johnson, now a foul ball. 2-seamer with lots of movement across the inside corner for a strike. Grounds out to Mike Fontenot.

2-0 on the future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones. Be careful to him with 2 outs and nobody on. Ball 3 now. On a 3-1 count, Chipper draws the 2-out walk.

McCann flies out to right to end the inning.

Top of the 2nd

Soto grounds out to 3rd.

1-0 on Fontenot, foul ball. 1-2 count. Even at 2-2. Stays on a slow curveball and lines it into center. The Cubs are getting nice swings off a very good pitcher early on.

Mets lead the Cardinals 2-0 in New York.

I'd like to see a hit and run here with Blanco at the plate. 1-0 count. Slices it into left awkwardly and actually hit it pretty hard, Anderson has to make a basket catch and it appeared he basically smothered it against his chest.

2 down, Dempster at the plate, swings and misses at the 1st pitch. About the worst swing you'll ever see on a slider 3 feet outside, 0-2. Now takes a fastball on the corner for strike 3.

Bottom of the 2nd

I watched Chicago Tribune Live before the game on CSN. Steve Stone, currently the White Sox color commentator, thinks this Cubs team is going to get a lot better. He said, "They're going to hit, and they're going to hit a lot." He also said what I've been saying all along: "If these hitters just have average seasons, they're going to win this division easily." He thinks that the wind blowing in a ton early on at Wrigley has effected the hitters and that they're going to get some more confidence and production in the coming months.

2-0 on Anderson. Ball 3 now. Fastball strike. Full count and Anderson swings at a slider that looked high, fouls it off. Chases ball 4 again, flies out to Fox in left.

Kotchman hits a liner right on the money but Fontenot had him played perfectly at 3rd, snags it, 2 outs.

Francoeur hits a high bouncer to short on the 1st pitch, Theriot waits back on the hop, has time, but throws it in the dirt, and another outstanding dig by Derrek Lee. It's incredible how many errors he saves.

Top of the 3rd

Theriot is 2 for 2 as he drills a single into center. He's shortening up his swing lately and doing what made him such a valuable part of this team last year. 5th hit already for the Cubs, hopefully they can start getting some runs off these hits.

Fukudome bunting for a hit, fouls it off. Swings through a slider, now barely gets a piece of a changeup. He's not seeing Vazquez well. Vazquez shows Fukudome about his whole arsenal and Fukudome has to be impressed, as he swings and misses at a high fastball. Vazquez leads the league in strikeouts with 115.

Fox takes a curve for a strike. Now flies out to right.

Would be nice if the Cubs could get some runners in scoring position for Lee. Takes a fastball low and outside, same as the next pitch, 2-0. Now a curveball that just misses low, 3-0. Vazquez throws him a 3-0 slider, wow. It's in for a strike. Now Lee absolutely drills one into deep right-center and I, along with Len thinks it has a chance to leave the yard, but McLouth catches it on the run on the track. That's gone at Wrigley the last few days with the wind blowing out for sure.

Bottom of the 3rd

3-1 on Hernandez. You don't want to walk this guy. But that's what happens.

Vazquez leads the majors in sacrifice bunts, and executes it to perfection here. 1 out, Hernandez at 2nd.

0-2 on McLouth. McLouth lays off a well located changeup on 0-2. Now another one that was strike 3, but the umpire disagrees. Cubs got jobbed. Sure enough McLouth singles when he should've been out, Braves take a 1-0 lead. Gameday has that pitch called a ball pretty much right down the middle, as it was.

Johnson takes a fastball for a strike. Ball outside, McLouth runs, and as usual, he's successful. Very close at 2nd. Fastball just misses inside, 2-2 count. Full count. Johnson walks, 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

2-1 on Chipper Jones. Takes a slider for a strike. Full count, and Dempster gets him swinging at a fastball. Additionally, the runners were going, and Soto threw out McLouth at 3rd, something that is quite a feat to one of the best percentage base stealers of all-time. 1st time McLouth has been caught this year. Soto has thrown out 7 of the last 11 attempted base stealers I believe Len just said. 1st time since April of last season that McLouth was thrown out.

Top of the 4th

Hoffpauir grounds out to 2nd.

0-2 on Soto, doesn't like the last strike call. He's probably telling the umpire how Dempster didn't get that call to McLouth. 1-2 now. Strikes out swinging at some high gas.

Fontenot fouls off an 0-2 offering. Bounces out up the middle.

Bottom of the 4th

1-1 to McCann. On 1-2, McCann can't hold up his swing on a pitch in the dirt, 1 out.

Anderson with an effortless swing on a pitch outside, pulls it for a double on a bounce against the wall in right. Hoffpauir made a great effort and almost caught it, I thought he had no chance.

0-2 on Kotchman. Bounces a changeup back to Dempstser, Dempster does a great job to look at Anderson and catches him too far off the base, they get Anderson in a rundown. 2 outs.

Francoeur slices one into right-center and Len thinks Fukudome is going to get to it, but it gets down for a double, 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs.

I know Hernandez has awful numbers, but be careful here with the pitcher on deck and 1st base open. 1-1 on Hernandez. However, as Len points out, Vazquez can handle the bat. 1-2 on Hernandez. One more good slider and that should be it. Goes with it, but too far outside, count is even at 2-2. High and inside heat, Hernandez barely makes contact on a check swing, foul ball. 70th pitch of the game from Dempster is fouled back. Fastball just misses outside. Don't give in to him here with the pitcher on deck. Throws the slider and it's right down the middle, but Hernandez was likely looking fastball on the 3-2 count. Inning over.

It's really hot and humid, and Dempster's labored through 4 innings. I think he'll go 6, but maybe not. He's gone at least 6 innings in 13 of his 14 starts this year.

Top of the 5th

Doubtful the Cubs score this inning with Blanco, Dempster, and Theriot.

0-2 on Blanco. Blanco bloops a single into left.

Like Vazquez is this year, Dempster led the majors in sacrifice bunts last year, and he'll definitely be asked to do that here. Pops a bunt up and McCann chases after it, slides, hits off his glove, and he slides hard into the wall. He's hurting, his knee likely. He's going to try to stay in though. Now Dempster gets the job done, Blanco to 2nd, 1 out.

Well Theriot singled his last 2 at bats. Another of those and the Cubs would likely tie this up with good speed at 2nd base. Vazquez starts him with a curveball this time after Theriot ripped his fastball last at bat. 0-1. Slider low and outside, 1-1. Fastball low, 2-1. Pickoff throw at 2nd but Blanco is easily back. Slider in the dirt, 3-1. These are the Ryan Theriot at bats I've missed. Well, that's not the 3-1 pitch I'd like to see him swing at. Rolls a groundball to 2nd base. Blanco to 3rd, 2 outs. Theriot angry at himself.

Fukudome seems to have no chance against Vazquez tonight. Swings and misses badly at a slider, 1-1 count. Now takes a curve right down the middle, 1-2. Fouls off an 87 mph slider or cutter. Fastball barely outside, 2-2. The Braves fans are angry. Fastball just high and outside, Fukudome checks his swing, 3-2. A 3-2 curveball, and Fukudome flies out to right. I thought he hit that a lot better.

Bottom of the 5th

Vazquez strikes out swinging on 4 pitches.

McLouth hammers one the other way with home run distance, but foul. Now he grounds out weakly to Dempster.

On a full count, Kelly Johnson walks.

Sooner or later Chipper is going to really make you pay when you walk hitters in front of him. Does here, as he drills a double into right-center field. Johnson probably couldn't have scored, but he appeared to be limping a little bit as well. 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs for McCann. I'd put him on here.

Slider dug out by Soto in the dirt, 1-0. Seriously, just put him on. Swings for Jamaica but misses, 1-1. Fastball barely inside, 2-1. 88 pitches for Dempster. Filthy slider causes the worst swing you'll ever see McCann take. 2-2. Soto does a good job of blocking the slider again. I'd throw it again and if you walk him, that's just fine. Don't groove anything. Well he does, and McCann hits it about as hard as you possibly can but right at Derrek Lee. He absolutely that. The camera didn't even get to Lee until he was running back with the ball. McCann understandably frustrated as he should've just driven in a couple of runs, and slams his bat down. It was a stupid decision to pitch to him and proved to be, just got lucky.

Top of the 6th

Fox takes a fastball down the middle, something I've never seen him do. Lays off the next pitch as well that is outside, 1-1. Takes a curve in the dirt, 2-1. Now he chases a slider way outside. High fastball fouled straight back, Brenly said, "He was trying to leave earth" with that swing. Hanging curve and it looks very good off the bat, but it doesn't go anywhere. Anderson easily catches it.

Lee swings and misses at a slider. A huge swing and he fouls it back. Now 2-2. 3-2 count on a slider in the dirt. 7th pitch of the at bat is a curveball bounced foul. Another foul ball. Grounds out to shortstop on the 9th pitch.

Hoffpauir grounds a single up the middle with 2 outs.

Bobby Cox and the trainer come out to see Vazquez. He looks exhausted out there. Staying in though.

0-1 on Soto. And another single. The Cubs have 8 hits tonight, all singles. Hopefully they can get another one here.

2-0 on Fontenot. Cubs fans are getting loud, Braves fans booing them. 3-0 count. Slider in for a strike on 3-0. Walks.

Bases loaded for the Cubs' #8 hitter, Andres Blanco. No doubt the Cubs will pinch-hit for Dempster next, whether it be this inning or next inning. Breaking ball just high, crowd really loud. Fastball strike, 1-1. The very important swing pitch just outside, Braves fans hate the call. 2-1. The 2-1 pitch is driven to center, but McLouth doesn't have to go back too far and that's the inning.

The Cubs are really getting good swings tonight and driving some right at guys. You can't fault Blanco there, he put a good swing on that ball and drove it to center.

Bottom of the 6th

This will be Dempster's last inning. Kevin Hart's been warming up in the bullpen.

1-0 on Anderson. Theriot playing Anderson up the middle and Anderson hits it where he would usually be positioned, dives, can't get there.

Dempster should be on a short leash earlier. He's just at 96 pitches, but has had to work very hard to get through some of these innings, along with a humid night, so I consider it about 110 pitches.

2-2 on Kotchman. Grounds to 2nd, Blanco makes a very quick spin and throw to 2nd to get the force. Theriot tried to get the double play but the ball was hit too slowly to do so. Great job by Blanco.

Dempster gets away with a meatball to Francoeur, who will hit one of those a mile if you keep it up. 0-1 count, Kotchman on 1st. Fouls off a slider without much bite, 0-2. Dempster's stuff isn't what it was a few innings ago. Lou better not leave him in too much longer. And there's a single up the middle, 1st and 2nd.

Well I'm glad he stayed in. Gets Hernandez to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Top of the 7th

I'd guess Milton Bradley will pinch-hit for Dempster here.

Wow, Dempster batting. This is incredibly stupid. You need runs here. All he can go is MAYBE 1 more inning anyway. Strikes out looking.

2-1 on Theriot. Theriot grounds out to Prado, who came in earlier for Kelly Johnson at 2nd.

Fukudome has a 2-1 count. Ball 3. A walk would be nice in front of Fox. And that's what happens. Fukudome on 1st with 2 outs.

Now would be an ideal time for Fox's 1st homer of the season. Takes a curveball in the dirt for ball 1. This will be Vazquez's last inning, and possibly batter. 2-0 now. A check swing for a strike on a curve out of the zone, don't like to see that. Another breaking ball down. He's yet to see a fastball here. Now another one out of the zone and he swings and misses, sigh. Infield single, barely, on a grounder to shortstop. 1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Derrek Lee's had great at bats tonight and owned Vazquez in his career. With that in mind, along with 116 pitches thrown, Bobby Cox takes Vazquez out. Sidewinder Peter Moylan in to face Lee.

Moylan is going to be a tough matchup for Lee. He's a sidewinder. Lee is 0 for 2 in his career against him, but he's red hot so it might not matter who he is facing right now. 1st pitch is a fastball and Derrek fouls it off his foot. That's the pitch you want to hit against Moylan, not the slider unless it hangs. Lee flies out to right to end the inning.

Cubs have left 10 on base tonight.

Bottom of the 7th

3-0 count. Dempster shouldn't be in the game still, this is all on Lou, even if Dempster talked his way back in. Full count now. High slider called strike 3.

Changeup in for a strike to McLouth. McLouth crushes a double into right that bounced off the wall.

1-1 on Prado. 1-2 on a foul ball. Single into left, but McLouth holds at 3rd.

Lou comes out and it appears he's taking out Dempster, but is leaving him in. I really don't understand the decision-making of these last 2 innings.

Chipper drives one near the wall in center, but Fukudome makes the catch. It's a sacrifice fly though and gives the Braves a 2-0 lead.

NOW Lou's taking out Dempster. Sean Marshall coming in.

Curveball from Marshall is taken for a strike by McCann. Rips another one but again right at somebody, to 2nd base this time. Blanco bobbles it in the outfield grass but has plenty of time with the catcher running.

Top of the 8th

Hoffpauir, Soto, and Fontenot due up. I'd like to see Bradley or Soriano bat for Blanco and bring in Miles to replace Blanco defensively.

Very good lefty Mike Gonzalez in to pitch for Atlanta. 2-0 on Hoffpauir. Good 2-0 hack, but fouls it back. Full count and Hoffpauir gets good wood on it, but hits it too high and McLouth catches it about 30 feet short of the wall in center.

1-1 on Soto. Soto hits one with home run distance but just foul. Now he strikes out.

0-1 on Fontenot. Grounds out to 2nd.

Bottom of the 8th

I want to see Bradley pinch-hit for Blanco to leadoff the 9th, and have Soriano bat for the pitcher right after that. Will it happen though? I highly doubt it with the managing decisions we've seen tonight. I bet it will go Blanco then Miles.

Kevin Hart in to pitch. 91 mph sinking fastball for a strike to Anderson. Slider to the backstop. Anderson grounds out to Fontenot, 1 out.

Kotchman up. 92 mph sinking fastball again, he didn't throw a sinking fastball quite like that in the past. Mainly a 4-seamer at 94-97 and a cutter. Another slider to the backstop, this looks just like the last at bat. 89 mph changeup upstairs. Pitch high and outside, 3-1. Ball 4.

1-1 on Francoeur. 2-1, and Francoeur chases a breaking ball down low, 2-2. Slider taken in the dirt, full count. Doubt we'll see Kotchman running. Well he is, popped up into shallow right, Hoffpauir makes a diving catch. Nice play, 2 outs.

Hernandez hits a flyball deep to right, caught by Hoffpauir near the track to end the inning.

There's been a bunch of flyballs I expected to go further than they did tonight. The ball is not carrying.

Top of the 9th

Sigh, Blanco is batting. Rafael Soriano in to close for the Braves. 0-1 count. 2-1 now. Please walk him. Takes a cutter for a strike, 2-2. Grounds a single into left! He fell down but thankfully for him it went into the outfield. Glad I was wrong.

Bradley pinch-hitting. Big swing on a 93 mph fastball, misses, 0-1. Takes the same pitch in the same spot this time, ball just outside. 1-2 as he hits a foul ball. Bradley swings and misses at a slider down low, 1 out.

0-2 on Theriot. Strikes out swinging.

Blanco takes 2nd on fielders' indifference as Fukudome takes a ball. Takes another, 2-0. 3-0 now. Takes a walk.

1st and 2nd with 2 outs for Fox. Hit one a mile, Jake. Cutter for a strike, Fox doesn't like the call. Yikes, a hanger and Fox swings through it. That was the pitch to crush. 0-2 count. Takes another questionable strike, but you have to protect with 2 strikes. Game over.

Frustrating game, but not too mad. The Cubs hit the ball hard all night but couldn't come through with runners in scoring position. Badly managed game as well.

Cardinals lost, so the Cubs stay 2.5 back in the division. Off to Detroit, hopefully the Cubs can take at least 1 of 3 there.


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