The first hit by a Milwaukee Brewers batter since the fourth inning turned out to be a disastrous one, as a Rickie Weeks double over the head of Alfonso Soriano scored the tying run and led to an eventual Brewers victory over the Cubs on Friday afternoon.
Kevin Gregg, who had the most blown saves last year, showed why, as he blew his very first opportunity in a Cubs uniform, resulting in a 4-3 Milwaukee win.
Gregg was the sixth Cubs pitcher to enter the game with two outs in the eighth. He survived that inning, but wasn't so fortunate in the ninth.
He certainly wasn't helped by shortstop Ryan Theriot, who made a poor decision to make an off-balanced throw home on a ball that appeared to be tailor made for a double play. Chris Duffy clearly was safe at home, despite the protests by Koyie Hill, to end the game.
Theriot had an awful defensive game for the Cubs, committing an error that led to the first Brewer run, and also dropped a popup, though that should have been Soriano's ball.
Meanwhile, though it was only his first save situation of the year, this is something that is sure to spark controversy among the Cubs faithful, many of whom wanted Carlos Marmol to win the closer job.
Gregg pitched better than Marmol (who had an abbreviated spring due to the WBC) did in the spring, so if it was indeed a true competition, it did seem that he won it. But while Marmol is the best set-up man in baseball, some fans are likely questioning the decision now.
The thing is, you have to wonder if there would even have been a save situation if Marmol hadn't pitched in the set-up role tonight. We have to remember that games can be lost in the seventh and eighth innings as well as the ninth.
Still, this was a game the Cubs should have won. The home plate umpire was terrible, but that really isn't why we lost.
You really have to wonder how long Lou will continue using Derrek Lee as his third hitter. I know it's a small sample size, but he's hitting .118 and has stranded eight runners in his last two games.
Koyie Hill, who continues to start in place of Geo Soto, who may be headed for a stint on the DL, homered for the Cubs. But it wasn't enough.
Hey, what would this town be without a debate? For years, Bears fans have debated the QB position. But now that we have Jay Cutler, fans need something else to argue about.
Today, Kevin Gregg gave them fodder for just such an argument, come to think of it.
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