Bruiser Chong

What was it? I missed it. Someone should remind guys like Neifi Perez they aren't power hitters, regardless of how much the wind is blowing out. But hey, whatever gets them into last place quicker.

Make it eight. It's funny that for all of the people they send down, Novoa isn't ever one of them.

Todd Walker has found a way to fail to hit with runners on, but not leave anyone on base. I'd think the Cubs have a shot here, but with the Braves on pace to hit 15 homers, who knows?

Oh my god, Juan Pierre doubles with a RISP. Miracle. Why's Smoltz still in there?

And we have our weekly mid-game double switch that takes out Murton in favor of Bynum. Because with Womack, Perez, and Pierre in the lineup, we had so much power in there already.

The Cub fans in the bleachers are gonna need Tommy John surgery before this one's over.

It's funny on those days the team can be bothered to score more than three runs, the pitching is booty. And barring a ninth-inning Astros comeback and Cubs win, a mere game and a half will separate the Pirates and Cubbies.

The dream of a Neifi/Womack doubleplay combo took all of three cames to be realized.

No. I refuse to believe there's someone out there with a fear of women and water that still predominantly watches VHS.

Munson: I didn't have the ball, bitch! *punches Bay in the face* That would've made the finish even better. What a game to lose.

I was about to insult the Pirates again for taking the bat out of Wilson's hands (again), but Gallo throws the ball away during the intentional walk. Spectacular.

The Pirates' color man wants Craig Wilson to bunt. "I'm not much of a strategist." Well, duh.

Something I hadn't given much thought (surprisingly) is Roger Clemens' status. Didn't he say he'd let everyone know what was going on no later than June something or other? I'm sitting here watching the game, thinking of the Astros' losing streak and realizing that with each loss, they're putting themselves further and further out of the running for his services.

Victor Santos + heart of Astros lineup = good chance the Pirates will need another homer to keep the game going.

He should've just pushed him there, just so we could see a bench-clearing brawl at 12:30 in the morning.

Who's got the Pirates feed? I want to be hearing impaired because of these guys.

Pirates announcers bring up a great point: With two outs, why didn't they walk the next two to get to the pitcher's spot. And as I type that, it doesn't matter, since it's tied again.

And the Stros score with two outs and two strikes on Tavarez. That was so Cubs of the Pirates. I still say the Jason Bay steal ruined their chances to win. That move put him into scoring position, but took the bat out of the hands of a guy who's destroyed Lidge historically and left it up to whoever the hell struck out to end the inning.

Ah stupidity managing at its finest. Two out and have Jason Bay steal second to open up first for Craig Wilson, who's destroyed Lidge in his career. And of course, they instantly walk him. Moron.

If I had to guess, I'd say it ends this inning. Those coming up have KILLED Lidge in the past.

They don't announce it. It just happens, but if you hang around DVD Talk, I can assure you can't possibly miss it. And for the record, they've never had the sale in December; it was always November.

The Astros and Pirates are heading to the 16th inning. Lidge came on for the 15th and was as wild as ever, but the Pirates lower portion of the order is so bad, they swung at everything and he struck out the side as a result. Surprisingly, one of the Pirates hitters WAS patient and drew a five-pitch walk: the pitcher.

What a chokejob.

Uh oh, Billups is getting hot.

Wow, what was Ryan Franklin doing in there in a tied game?