Is somebody heading to bed early?

Eric Gagne is doing everything he can to keep the Cubs at least five games ahead of the Brewers.

Down to four games.

MLB.com: Brewers sign Lamb for stretch run

[Mike] Lamb, a third baseman designated for assignment by the Twins on Aug. 25, was at home in California when his release became official at about 10 a.m. PT, and by 6:30 p.m., he had a contract in place with the Brewers. Because he signed with Milwaukee after Sept. 1, Lamb will not be eligible for the postseason, but the Brewers hope he can help them get there.

"It happened fairly quickly, and I'm glad it did," Lamb said on Friday at Miller Park.
...
Lamb, 33, hit .232 with one home run and 32 RBIs this season for the Twins after signing a two-year, $6.6 million contract.

Walks:

I am completely flabbergasted that Melvin stands idly by while Yost trots out a guy with a 7(!) ERA in a close game.

And Yost claimed to be all about performance determining playing time. Gagne hasn't gotten anyone out in months. Literally.

Mota has had more success. Mota!! How ridiculous is that?

Ben better get off his sorry, sloppy #ss tomorrow and pitch a serious game. Team needs a big effort.

And by the way Prince, be nice if you got a hit sometime soon.

Geez.....

Yost on removing CC after 7 (106 pitches, 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 9 SO, 2 BB) and turning the game over to the bullpen:

"I didn't want to have CC throw 120 pitches. I can't keep doing that"
-- Yost postgame press conference

NTN:

Ok. Fine. Then why not Shouse? The one other reliable guy besides Torres? Or Stetter with Giles coming up?

Of all the choices it's Gagne?

That's crazy!

Jon Lieber is still in the league? Wow.

You know things are going really terribly for the Cardinals when Tony La Russa botches a double switch. That's like Cormac McCarthy forgetting the meaning of an adjective, or Philippe Petit falling down the stairs.

Here is the bigger problem. Why is Ned willing to let CC go 120 in games with big leads, but suddenly there is a limit in a one run game?

At the risk of justifiably being called "fretting" by Harveys...

JESUS H. TAP-DANCING CHRIST, WIN A ####### GAME ALREADY, CUBS!!! Yeesh!

Jon Lieber is still in the league? Wow.

Jon Lieber has the distinction of giving up both of Jim Abbott's career hits and all 3 of his career RBI.

Jim Abbott's career batting line vs. Lieber: .400/.400/.400
Jim Abbott's career batting line vs. everyone else: .000/.000/.000

i demand Gagne give CC his Cy Young if a lack of wins keeps CC from winning it this year.

Lest we forget the real issue in Brewtown is an offense that has gone to sleep. Everyone is hitting singles and NOBODY is hitting with men on base.

Toss in some so-so efforts by the starters and this team is going to struggle.

Ben has been wanting this type of opportunity since he came to Milwaukee. September, playoff chase, the team needing a win.

Toss in avarice. He earns millions more with every solid outing.

He gacks now and to h#ll with him.

Brewer fans have tolerated the BS for several years running. 'Bout d#mn time he gave back.

He whiffs now. At home. Against a bad team?

To h#ll with him.

Gagne hasn't gotten anyone out in months. Literally.

I know this isn't true, because I sat in the RF bleachers watching him get three guys out during the 12-0 game at Busch about ten days ago. Of course even with a twelve run lead, with Gagne pitching Yost felt he had to have McClung warming up just in case.

The Gagne move was crazy. Easily their worst option there. I thought it was funny that he could have gone with Torres for 2 IP and instead went to Gagne, then used Torres for 2 anyway. Just following CC's starts for my fantasy team, it's pretty clear that Yost is a dolt.

Gb:

But were any Cards really trying in that situation?

Did folks see that pitch to Giles? Same as to Delgado. A "hit me" nothing pitch down the middle maybe a hair in. That's tater bait. Giles hit that thing into the upper deck.

Gagne isn't healthy. It's obvious he has no confidence. The crowd was hostile when he came into the game and was RELENTLESS during and after the inning. People were shouting insults at him and Yost in the 11th for heaven's sake.

Why do that to the guy? The Crew has 20 guys in the pen now.

Knowing Ned is NOT a moron I can only conclude he is a sick, twisted f#ck who while in a position of authority will torment those around him.

Not just a rant. Part of me wonders about this guy. The things he does. Just so d#mn STRANGE.

But were any Cards really trying in that situation?

Well, the three outs he got were Yadier Molina, Aaron Miles and Joe Mather. Molina is a saint, therefore he always tries. Miles is a player-coach (that's what La Russa said in March), so he has to try. Mather's a 25-yo rookie who spent 7+ years in the minors, so he better be trying.

Maybe Gagne is more comfortable pitching with double-digit leads.

Gagne isn't doping. It's obvious he has no confidence.

Fixed.

gagne is flat out lousy and yost is doing to him what he did to poor ol derrek whatshisname last year

melvin stands by yost like a battered wife defends her husband

sorry harvey - maybe all yall get lucky and gagne will pull a muscle or something

and yeah, all the bats are slumping. not sure why mike lamb had such a bad year in minny after such a good year last year, but he WAS pretty good with the bat and he actually CAN hit leftys. glove SUX though