On the eve of August 1, the Chicago Cubs were just a half game back of the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals and had posted a 7-3 record in their previous ten games. 18 days and 15 games later, the North Siders are six games back in the standings and have gone 3-7 in their last ten contests. We’re just over halfway through the month and things are starting to look dire for the lovable losers.

It’s been a tough month for everyone, but no one more so than closer Kevin Gregg. In eight appearances this August, Gregg has an ERA of 11.25. Last night in San Diego Gregg gave up an RBI double to let the Padres tie up the game then surrendered a three-run shot to rookie Kyle Blanks for the loss.

Because Cub fans are masochistic by nature, let’s take a closer look at Gregg’s performances in the month of August, shall we?

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*August 1 - Cubs 9, Marlins 8 – Ryan Theriot’s two-run double in the top of the ninth inning puts the Cubs up 8-5. Gregg, facing the Marlins for the first time since being traded from Florida to the Cubs in the offseason, takes the mound for the bottom of the ninth. After striking out the first two batters, Gregg works two strikes on the pinch-hitting Ronny Paulino but can’t finish him off; Paulino goes yard to make the score 8-6. Chris Coghlan and Nick Johnson both single and Emilio Bonifacio’s triple sends both runners home, tying the game at 8-8.

Of course, if you check the box score, Gregg earned the win, as Derrek Lee’s solo homer in the top of the 10th gave the North Siders a 9-8 victory. There’s an undeserved W if I’ve ever seen one.

*August 2 - Marlins 3, Cubs 2 - For the second straight day, Gregg appears to have forgotten which team he plays for. The Cubs closer stepped in for the save after Jake Fox’s solo shot in the top of the ninth put Chicago up 2-1.  With one out on the board, Gregg gets lit up by Dan Uggla and Cody Ross on back-to-back pitches. Two pitches, two homers, two blown saves in two straight days.

*August 5 – Reds 4, Cubs 0 – Lou Piniella sends Gregg in for some work in the bottom of the eighth with his team down 4-0. With the pressure off, Gregg pitches like a Major Leaguer, sitting down three straight batters for a hitless, scoreless eighth. Keep reading →