Cubs pray for answers in Game 3 against Nationals

With Derek Lee out of the lineup again today, the Cubs try to find another offenisve source to outscore Washington. Currently, they're down 6-3 in the 8th inning. Aramis Ramirez has hit a pair of homers, duplicating his performance from Friday. It's evident that one player alone will not help the Cubs win or get back in this game. Michael Barrett has a pinch hit single, but the rest of the lineup isn't producing.

Yesterday Prior had another dismal start only surviving 3.1 innings and surrending 4 earned runs. He also walked 3 batters. The Cubs did punch out 6 runs, but to no avail since Roberto Novoa came in during mid-innings and gave up 3 more runs. That's how things always go for the Cubs. Today is no different as the lineup struggles again to drive in runs. When Pierre gets on base there is no excuse for them to fly out, strikeout, pop-out, and fail to move him along. This guy has stole 36 bases and the effort is wasted 80% of the time.

The Nationals have won 4 more games than the Cubs so far this season and may be in route to winning their 42nd. Quick note: Sean Marshall had to leave the game in the 4th inning with a strained oblique muscle yet he only allowed 2 runs on 6 hits. The way the offense and pitching has wavered all year it's stunning that team management isn't doing a damn thing. They just sit back on their ass and watch for results. What the hell is their freaking problem? This season was shot from the start so go ahead and make a few trades instead of letting this team suffer until September.

I see Dusty Baker elected to start Phil Nevin in left field today, bold move though also unnecessary. Why he continues to start John Mabry is beyond reason. Since Lee is getting a day off Mabry is over at first. The Cubs need another bench player who can play multiple positions, but serves more of a purpose on offense rather than defensively. Hendry doesn't want to make any rash decisions concerning Baker's future, stating he hasn't had a healthy team to work with this year. This doesn't mean the Cubs should slip to the bottom of the league and earn one of the worst records in baseball this year. Soon the Pirates will even jump in front of the Cubs in the Central. Wake up Cubs management and actually show you care for once!