What the heck happened in the 9th?

The Cubs have enjoyed their share of comebacks so far this year, but the outcome of last night's game against the Orioles was mind blowing. Don't get me wrong the Cubs are playing great baseball and can't let the 7-5 loss nag their mind. I don't think I've ever seen a team have the bases loaded with no outs and then end the game on 3 consecutive strikeouts. I was really pulling for Cedeno who seemed to be way too anxious to drive in the tying runs. He's got to lay off that high fastball and show patience like he had been at the plate. Then Kosuke Fukudome, who hit a solo homerun in the 4th to dead center came up with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th and went out of his comfort zone flailing at breaking balls out of the zone. All they had do was get a walk, sacrifice fly, or single. Hell, even a sac bunt would have caught the Orioles off guard.

15 straight wins at home wasn't in the works I suppose. All those chances the lineup had to score and came up empty...what a shame. That is the most difficult thing to watch as a Cubs fan, especially when the team has been so hot. Seeing as Marshall made his first start he had a pretty decent outing. He recorded 7 strikeouts. Giving up the 4 runs on 7 hits and a walk through 4.2 innings didn't actually hurt the Cubs chances in their comeback attempt. Hitting into a few double plays in mid-innings kind of killed any momentum working in their favor though. Of all people Jim Edmonds came up with a three-run homer in the 7th to bring the Cubs with 3 runs then was lifted in 7th for pinch-hitter Matt Murton. Later Aramis Ramirez whacked an RBI single to right field. The offense from there kept the Wrigley Field crowd in suspense, unable to drive in any runs to force a tie or win the game in the 9th.

I think the reason the Cubs got jinxed was Andy McPhail being in attendance and the WGN camera crew panning into the seats to catch his unwanted presence. Once I saw him on TV it directly bothered me and should have known he was about to screw up a thrilling game. There will be enough close games throughout the remainder of the year to cause fans to hold their breath yet many will go the Cubs' way. Learning from their mistakes at the plate (mostly impatience and a little excitement) the young guys who don't play everyday like Cedeno and Fontenot can make adjustments. I feel Marshall will rebound from his undeserved first loss. In Game 2 Ted Lilly (7-5) will try to enact a form of redemption making a start against the O's Brian Burres (6-5).