Gregg blows closer's role
By Paul Sullivan
SAN DIEGO -- The Kevin Gregg era ended late Monday night in San Diego, where a four-run ninth inning led to the loss of his closer's job.
Manager Lou Piniella said he would make the change on Tuesday, but declined to say who would fill the role the rest of the season.
Gregg stared into his locker for a long time after the game, and blamed himself for failing to do the job.
"It's just making stupid mistakes," Gregg said. "Seeing something in a hitter and not executing it when you see it. Knowing a game plan you have for a hitter, and not doing it. That's basically it."
Gregg issued a one-out walk to David Eckstein before getting the dangerous Adrian Gonzalez on a pop to left. At that point, he was feeling pretty good.
"Of course," he said. "Two outs, you're right there. You're one pitch away from getting out of that inning."
After falling behind to Chase Headley, Gregg gave up the game-tying double into the gap in left-center. Piniella ordered an intentional walk to Kevin Kouzmanoff, before Kyle Blanks hit the game-ending, three-run home run over the left field fence.
Gregg says he hasn't lost his confidence.
"Yeah, I still believe in my stuff," he said.
But Piniella no longer believes in it enough to give Gregg the ball in the ninth inning with the game on the line. Gregg's 12 home runs allowed are the most of any NL reliever. Brad Lidge ranks second with 10 allowed.
How tough was the loss?
"That was a tough one," Derrek Lee said. "We've got to swing the bats better."
Lee blamed himself for failing to drive in Milton Bradley from third base with one out in the sixth inning. The Cubs were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 baserunners, a recurring theme in 2009.
"We haven't been consistent with the bats," he said. "One run is not going to cut it."
Ted Lilly was philosophical about the loss. How do the Cubs recover from this one?
"You win," he replied. "I thought we played good. Obviously we didn't score too many runs, but the defense was real good, turned a couple of very nice double plays up the middle. Look at the way Kevin Correia was throwing the ball, he was tough to hit tonight."
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