GAME THREAD: NL: CHICAGO CUBS (83-75) at FLORIDA (68-90)

NL: CHICAGO CUBS (83-75) at FLORIDA (68-90)

<h3>Cubs searching for answer to Marlin riddle</h3>



Chicago Cubs (83-75) at Florida (68-90) 4:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are at the top of the NationalLeague Central but are struggling with the NL Eastcellar-dwelling Florida Marlins.


On Thursday, Cubs look to halt a nine-game skid to the Marlinsas the teams conclude their three-game set.


Florida guaranteed itself a series win on Wednesday as theydowned the Cubs, 7-4. However, Chicago was able to hold ontoits slim two-game lead over second-place Milwaukee (81-77),which also lost. As a result, the Cubs were able to reducetheir magic number to three.


To get a much-needed win, Chicago will call on Steve Trachsel(1-2, 7.62 ERA), who will pitch for the first time in exactlytwo weeks and will be looking for his second straight win afterdropping three straight decisions over four starts from August23-September 9.


He allowed two runs and seven hits over five innings in a 6-2victory over the Houston Astros on September 13.


In 29 career starts against the Marlins, the righthander is10-12 with a 3.78 ERA.


The Marlins will counter with Scott Olsen (9-15, 5.88), who willbe looking to snap an eight-game winless skid, going 0-6 with a7.46 ERA in that span. His last outing on Friday was adisastrous one for the lefthander and his defense, as theMarlins committed six errors, leading to Olsen surrenderingeight unearned runs and seven hits over five frames.

The 23-year-old has yet to record a decision in three lifetimestarts against the Cubs despite maintaining a 3.94 ERA.

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS (83-75) at FLORIDA (68-90)

<h3>Cubs searching for answer to Marlin riddle</h3>



Chicago Cubs (83-75) at Florida (68-90) 4:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are at the top of the NationalLeague Central but are struggling with the NL Eastcellar-dwelling Florida Marlins.


On Thursday, Cubs look to halt a nine-game skid to the Marlinsas the teams conclude their three-game set.


Florida guaranteed itself a series win on Wednesday as theydowned the Cubs, 7-4. However, Chicago was able to hold ontoits slim two-game lead over second-place Milwaukee (81-77),which also lost. As a result, the Cubs were able to reducetheir magic number to three.


To get a much-needed win, Chicago will call on Steve Trachsel(1-2, 7.62 ERA), who will pitch for the first time in exactlytwo weeks and will be looking for his second straight win afterdropping three straight decisions over four starts from August23-September 9.


He allowed two runs and seven hits over five innings in a 6-2victory over the Houston Astros on September 13.


In 29 career starts against the Marlins, the righthander is10-12 with a 3.78 ERA.


The Marlins will counter with Scott Olsen (9-15, 5.88), who willbe looking to snap an eight-game winless skid, going 0-6 with a7.46 ERA in that span. His last outing on Friday was adisastrous one for the lefthander and his defense, as theMarlins committed six errors, leading to Olsen surrenderingeight unearned runs and seven hits over five frames.

The 23-year-old has yet to record a decision in three lifetimestarts against the Cubs despite maintaining a 3.94 ERA.

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS AT FLORIDA -- LINEUPS

CHICAGO CUBS FLORIDA
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Alfonso Soriano LF .293 31 65 Hanley Ramirez SS .332 28 79
Ryan Theriot SS .270 3 44 Dan Uggla 2B .247 31 86
Derrek Lee 1B .318 21 80 Jeremy Hermida RF .293 17 61
Aramis Ramirez 3B .307 26 100 Miguel Cabrera 3B .321 34 115
Mark Derosa 2B .295 10 72 Mike Jacobs 1B .271 17 52
Geovany Soto C .378 3 7 Todd Linden LF .247 1 11
Craig Monroe RF .227 1 4 Miguel Olivo C .237 16 60
Jacque Jones CF .275 5 62 Alejandro De Aza CF .212 0 6
Steve Trachsel RHP .200 0 0 Scott Olsen LHP .180 0 3
(1-2, 7.62) (9-15, 5.88)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA
WARMUPS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL (1-2, 7.62)
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN (9-15, 5.88)

UMPIRES: HP - JEFF KELLOGG
1B - ERIC COOPER
2B - ANDY FLETCHER
3B - MIKE REILLY

WEATHER: 88 Degrees, partly cloudy
WIND: 6 mph, out to right</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA
STARTING BATS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL AND GEOVANY SOTO
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN AND MIGUEL OLIVO

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: A SORIANO (.293, 31 HR, 65 RBI)
R THERIOT (.270, 3 HR, 44 RBI)
D LEE (.318, 21 HR, 80 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY ARAMIS RAMIREZ SCORED RYAN THERIOT.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A RAMIREZ ON FIRST, D LEE ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 1
FLORIDA 0 TOP, 1ST

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: M DEROSA (.295, 10 HR, 72 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 1 2 0
FLORIDA 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: H RAMIREZ (.332, 28 HR, 79 RBI)
D UGGLA (.247, 31 HR, 86 RBI)
J HERMIDA (.293, 17 HR, 61 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (1) VS FLORIDA (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292
R Theriot ss 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .270
D Lee 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .320
A Ramirez 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .308
M DeRosa 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
G Soto c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .370
C Monroe rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S Trachsel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200

Totals 5 1 2 1 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (42, S Olsen). RBI - A Ramirez (101). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - G Soto 1. Team LOB - 2.


FLORIDA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Ramirez ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .332
D Uggla 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
J Hermida rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
M Cabrera 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
M Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .271
T Linden lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
M Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
A De Aza cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
S Olsen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .180

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 1 -- 1
FLORIDA - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.62

FLORIDA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Olsen 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 5.90

Pitches-strikes: S Olsen 22-14. Ground balls-fly balls: S Olsen 1-1. Batters
faced: S Olsen 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA
CONFIRMED STARTERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY MIKE JACOBS SCORED HANLEY RAMIREZ.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M CABRERA ON FIRST, J HERMIDA ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 1
FLORIDA 1 BOTTOM, 1ST

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: T LINDEN (.247, 1 HR, 11 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 1 2 0
FLORIDA 1 1 2 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: C MONROE (.227, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
J JONES (.275, 5 HR, 62 RBI)
S TRACHSEL (.200, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (1) VS FLORIDA (1) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292
R Theriot ss 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .270
D Lee 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .320
A Ramirez 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .308
M DeRosa 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
G Soto c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .370
C Monroe rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Jones cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S Trachsel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200

Totals 5 1 2 1 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (42, S Olsen). RBI - A Ramirez (101). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - G Soto 1. Team LOB - 2.


FLORIDA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Ramirez ss 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .333
D Uggla 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .246
J Hermida rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
M Cabrera 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .321
M Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .271
T Linden lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .246
M Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
A De Aza cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
S Olsen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .180

Totals 4 1 2 1 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - H Ramirez (46, S Trachsel). SF - M Jacobs. RBI - M Jacobs (53).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Linden 1. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 1 -- 1
FLORIDA - 1 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 7.71

FLORIDA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Olsen 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 5.90

IBB - M Cabrera (by S Trachsel). Pitches-strikes: S Trachsel 30-16; S Olsen
22-14. Ground balls-fly balls: S Trachsel 0-2; S Olsen 1-1. Batters faced: S
Trachsel 6; S Olsen 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 1 3 0
FLORIDA 1 1 2 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: M OLIVO (.237, 16 HR, 60 RBI)
A DE AZA (.212, 0 HR, 6 RBI)
S OLSEN (.180, 0 HR, 3 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (1) VS FLORIDA (1) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .292
R Theriot ss 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 .270
D Lee 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .320
A Ramirez 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .308
M DeRosa 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
G Soto c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .370
C Monroe rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
J Jones cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Trachsel p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167

Totals 9 1 3 1 2 1 7

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (42, S Olsen); J Jones (31, S Olsen). RBI - A Ramirez
(101). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Theriot 1, G Soto 1. Team
LOB - 4.


FLORIDA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Ramirez ss 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .333
D Uggla 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .246
J Hermida rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
M Cabrera 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .321
M Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .271
T Linden lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .246
M Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
A De Aza cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
S Olsen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .180

Totals 4 1 2 1 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - H Ramirez (46, S Trachsel). SF - M Jacobs. RBI - M Jacobs (53).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Linden 1. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 10 -- 1
FLORIDA - 1 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 7.71

FLORIDA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Olsen 2 3 1 1 2 1 0 5.87

IBB - M Cabrera (by S Trachsel). Pitches-strikes: S Trachsel 30-16; S Olsen
51-31. Ground balls-fly balls: S Trachsel 0-2; S Olsen 2-3. Batters faced: S
Trachsel 6; S Olsen 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY ALEJANDRO DE AZA SCORED MIGUEL OLIVO.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A DE AZA ON SECOND, 0 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 1
FLORIDA 2 BOTTOM, 2ND

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: S OLSEN (.180, 0 HR, 3 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL AT FLORIDA - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY HANLEY RAMIREZ SCORED ALEJANDRO DE AZA.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 1
FLORIDA 3 BOTTOM, 2ND

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: D UGGLA (.246, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 1 3 0
FLORIDA 1 2 3 4 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: D LEE (.320, 1-FOR-1)
A RAMIREZ (.308, 1-FOR-1, RBI)
M DEROSA (.295, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (1) VS FLORIDA (3) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .292
R Theriot ss 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 .270
D Lee 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .320
A Ramirez 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .308
M DeRosa 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
G Soto c 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .370
C Monroe rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
J Jones cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Trachsel p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167

Totals 9 1 3 1 2 1 7

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (42, S Olsen); J Jones (31, S Olsen). RBI - A Ramirez
(101). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Theriot 1, G Soto 1. Team
LOB - 4.


FLORIDA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Ramirez ss 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .333
D Uggla 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .246
J Hermida rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
M Cabrera 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .321
M Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .271
T Linden lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .246
M Olivo c 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .238
A De Aza cf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .218
S Olsen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .180

Totals 7 3 4 3 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - H Ramirez (46, S Trachsel); A De Aza (7, S Trachsel). S - S
Olsen. SF - M Jacobs , H Ramirez. RBI - M Jacobs (53), A De Aza (7), H Ramirez
(80). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Linden 1. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 10 -- 1
FLORIDA - 12 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel 2 4 3 3 1 1 0 8.40

FLORIDA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Olsen 2 3 1 1 2 1 0 5.87

IBB - M Cabrera (by S Trachsel). Pitches-strikes: S Trachsel 45-25; S Olsen
51-31. Ground balls-fly balls: S Trachsel 2-3; S Olsen 2-3. Batters faced: S
Trachsel 11; S Olsen 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 1 4 0
FLORIDA 1 2 3 4 0 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL
FLA - SCOTT OLSEN

DUE UP FOR FLORIDA: J HERMIDA (.295, 1-FOR-1)
M CABRERA (.321, 0-FOR-0, BB)
M JACOBS (.271, 0-FOR-0, SF, RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at FLORIDA

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (1) VS FLORIDA (3) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .292
R Theriot ss 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 .270
D Lee 1b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .319
A Ramirez 3b 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 .310
M DeRosa 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 .294
G Soto c 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 .362
C Monroe rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
J Jones cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
S Trachsel p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167

Totals 13 1 4 1 2 2 9

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (42, S Olsen); J Jones (31, S Olsen). RBI - A Ramirez
(101). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Theriot 1, G Soto 1. Team
LOB - 5.


FLORIDA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Ramirez ss 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .333
D Uggla 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .246
J Hermida rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
M Cabrera 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .321
M Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .271
T Linden lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .246
M Olivo c 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .238
A De Aza cf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .218
S Olsen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .180

Totals 7 3 4 3 1 1 4

BATTING: 2B - H Ramirez (46, S Trachsel); A De Aza (7, S Trachsel). S - S
Olsen. SF - M Jacobs , H Ramirez. RBI - M Jacobs (53), A De Aza (7), H Ramirez
(80). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Linden 1. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 100 -- 1
FLORIDA - 12 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel 2 4 3 3 1 1 0 8.40

FLORIDA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Olsen 3 4 1 1 2 2 0 5.83

IBB - M Cabrera (by S Trachsel). Pitches-strikes: S Trachsel 45-25; S Olsen
67-40. Ground balls-fly balls: S Trachsel 2-3; S Olsen 3-4. Batters faced: S
Trachsel 11; S Olsen 15.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Eric Cooper. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Mike
Reilly.

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>