Lilly continues generosity on the mound as Cubs get blown out by Reds

Reds 9, Cubs 2
At Wrigley Field, Chicago
Thursday, April 17

Dusty Baker left town Thursday afternoon in better spirits, as his Reds team blew out the Cubs 9-2 thanks to the continued suck-fest that is Ted Lilly's early season performance on the mound. The North Siders must have out-hit themselves from Wednesday's night's action, in which the Cubs scored 12 runs off Cincinnati.

Cubs at the plate
Mike Fontenot filled the void Alfonso Soriano left as leadoff man by stranding seven runners at the plate. The North Siders were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, which must have pleased Dusty seeing his tradition not taking advantage of offensive opportunities continuing well after his departure.

Reds at the plate
Joey Votto, who isn't known outside of the Reds clubhouse, had a big day for his club, driving in three runs on a double and another two on a home run off of Ted Lilly. Ken Griffey, Jr. added a three-run shot of his own for his 596th career homer.

Cubs on the mound
Did I mention so far that Ted Lilly sucks? He really, really sucks. The left-hander gave up five runs in total and inflated his ERA to 9.16. Jon Lieber, which recent evidence shows he is in fact "older than dirt," gave up that three-run shot to Griffey in relief.

Reds on the mound
Edinson "Who?" Volquez did what rookie pitchers usually have no problem doing to Cubs hitters by holding them down to one run in five innings of work.

Next up for the Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates come to Wrigley Field for a three-game set this weekend and the Cubs would like to remind you that plenty of tickets are available for the series, which has been priced as a "prime game" since Pittsburgh is just that exciting of a team to watch.

Quote of the game
"I wonder if I did a little hop like Alfonso would get me on the DL," Cubs starter Ted Lilly said, after another embarrassing pitching performance from the $40 million man.

Number of the game: 2
Former 2003 Cubs players on Dusty Baker's Reds who got playing time Thursday, including Corey Patterson, who should really run away from Dusty as if his house was on fire.

By Steve Howard