I was so happy.
The tiny crowd was so happy.
Then... the 9th.
I don't care who it is, when there's a new pitcher that the Cubs haven't seen before, that pitcher will pour ice down their shorts so they forget how to bat.
First-time-pitching-in-the-bigs-ever Astro rookie guy Jordan Lyles completely confused the Cubs thru seven, and the Cubs weren't smart about being confused either.
Like, Pena was out twice swinging at first pitches - with Castro standing on 3rd with 2 out in the first, he swings at the first pitch and flies to left.
Anyway, whatever.
It was a gorgeous night, the Cubs rally in the 8th, and like I said I was sooo happy.
Soto's double was really the only solid-sounding hit off Lyles, and you sensed a shift.
Colvin bunts, and the rookie pitcher throws it into left field - whoever ran for Soto scores and Colvin's on 2nd.
Tied.
Astros bring another guy.
Fukudome sacs Colvin to 3rd.
Astros bring another guy.
Barney damn near hits one out.
It goes over Bourn and off the vines.
They intentionally walk Castro to get to Aramis. Hmmm...
Aramis says "BITE ME".
Cubs up 3-1.
And now it's victory time, only that didn't happen since Marmol got smacked around for 6 runs.
Cubs 3 Astros 7.
It was the worst regular season Cubs home loss since that freaking AJ Pierzynski hit the 3-run dinger in the 9th off Dempster in '06.
And besides us, it was Carlos Zambrano who got completely hosed.
He was brilliant, giving up one run over 8 innings even though it took him two swipes to break a bat over his knee as he risked having the Men In White Coats whisk him away after the game.
On the way out, I'm taking a leak at the trough in a silent men's room.
Guy at the end goes, "When's the last time Marmol actually threw for a save anyway?"
Another guy goes, "Couple months at LEAST!"
Everyone laughs.
