Cubs win, Cubs win

What a great game today as the Cubs beat the Astros 7-1 to pull within a half game of 1st place. Hee Seop Choi got the hitting started off in the 1st inning with a 2 RBI double to left centerfield. And Clement was shakey but yet effective, pitching out of numerous jams as he went 5 2/3's innings.

The highlight of the game was when Alex Gonzalez hit a 2 run HR in the 8th inning. Right afterwards the Airforce Thunderbirds from the local airshow seemingly buzzed Wrigely Field as a thumbs up for putting the nail in the coffin of the Astros. The crowd at Wrigely was probably the loudest i have heard it in years as they were all standing up and cheering as Sosa went bat.
Clark & Addison points to the Zambrano Game in propelling the Cubs to the playoffs, but i think i am gonna pick today as the whole stadium and team were electric after that HR by A-gonz, more so than usual.

I dont know if you can call it the A-gonz game, because the United States Airforce had a nice little assist after that to pump up the crowd and team. Even if it did scare the crap out some of our players in the dugout, lol.

In other news Estes thinks he is just a tad better than he really is, from the Daily Herald...

Estes didn't seem surprised that Baker was so supportive.

"Why wouldn't he be?" Estes asked. "Other than today, I've thrown the ball pretty well my last 3 starts. I'm not here for a tryout. You're going to have bad games. He understands. I've thrown the ball a lot better than the results have shown this year, so I don't think there's any reason he shouldn't stick by me."

Sureeeeeeee you have Mr. Estes. Whats it at now 6 quality starts out of 24 starts? You may not be here for a tryout but you have been pitching like it is tryouts for the local softball team for most of the season.

More news from the Daily Herald about Kenny Lofton.

Lobbying for Lofton: With Corey Patterson expected back in center field next year after recovering from season-ending knee surgery this season, there would appear to be little room for Kenny Lofton.

That doesn't mean Dusty Baker doesn't value Lofton, who helped Baker's Giants get to the World Series last year after his trade from the White Sox during the season.

"Kenny's helped us a lot," Baker said. "This guy knows how to play - when to swing, when not to swing, when to bunt, when to run. It's hard for me to understand why he can't land a job someplace for an extended period of time.

Yep i agree Kenny Lofton has come in and done exactly what he is supposed to do. Great job Kenny! Though i wont go as far as saying, Kenny Lofton: 2004 everyday centerfielder, as Ivy Chat did. Or some of his more unflattering comments about Patterson.

1st off what if we did sign Lofton for 1 year as our everyday CF for 2004. What about next year? And the year after that? Are we only playing for 1 year and throwing away the future? So after Loftons 1 year we go back to signing Darren Lewis's, and Damond Bufords to patrol centerfield?
Yeah Lofton does alot of things better than Patterson, and on the other hand Patterson can do alot of things better than Lofton. Hey if Alou wasnt coming back next year i would say Lofton can play LF all he wants. Otherwise we have no need for him in 2004.

Also remember before Patterson went down he was on pace for a 30 HR, 30 steal season to go with 100 RBI, 100 Runs scored and a .300 average. Ohh and Patterson plays a very good CF also, lets not forget about that.

Corey Patterson: 2004 everday centerfielder.