When Atlanta's Andruw Jones homered deep to left field and onto Waveland Avenue in the fifth inning of the Cubs' 10-1 romp over Atlanta on Tuesday night, a fan on the street tried to throw the ball back into the ballpark.
But the ball hit the top of the fence in the back of the left-field bleachers and bounced back onto the street, proving the Cubs aren't the only ones having a tough season.
But the pressure is off the Cubs now that they're closer to fifth-place Cincinnati than any of the top five teams in the National League wild-card chase. Now it's time for the players to relax and do the jobs they're paid to do without worrying about the great expectations that greeted the 2005 season.
For young players like Jerome Williams, the final 5½ weeks will be a chance to audition for 2006.
Williams (4-6) had his most impressive outing of the season, holding the Braves to one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings in his first start in 10 days and posting his first victory since July 23 in St. Louis. Jeromy Burnitz hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, helping the Cubs halt a three-game losing streak.
Williams, who also had two hits and beat a throw to the plate with a nice slide, left to a standing ovation from the crowd of 38,273, showing their appreciation for his all-around effort.
Afterward, Williams said he was pitching for his father, Glenn Williams, who was in attendance for the first time to watch his son pitch for the Cubs. His father received a kidney and liver transplant last spring when Williams was pitching for the Giants, and his health weighed heavily on his son's mind during spring training, making his father's presence that much more special.
"Especially with what whatever happened back in spring training, all that trouble my family's been going through," Williams said. "Just to see my dad out there, just to know he's here to support me, I have to step up and get on a roll.
"I think this is a start. I hope my dad can come to every game the rest of the season, because I think I do a lot better with my family here."
Williams' hard times with the Giants coincided with his father's poor health, ultimately leading to Williams' trade to the Cubs in May.
"It was hard," he said. "I was worrying for my father a lot because he's the one that actually put me here to play baseball. I'm just happy my father is here and my family is here."
The Cubs broke open the game early, scoring four runs in the third off Braves starter John Thomson on Todd Walker's fielder's-choice grounder, a bases-loaded walk to Burnitz and Neifi Perez's two-run single.
Burnitz's grand slam to center off reliever Joey Devine made it 8-0 in the fourth, and the Cubs already had their biggest offensive output since an 11-4 victory Aug. 11 at Wrigley Field. Williams held the Braves hitless for the first four innings. His only blemish was Jones' solo homer leading off the fifth.
Baker made one significant lineup change, benching Corey Patterson in favor of Jerry Hairston, despite facing a right-hander in Thomson. Patterson is in a 4-for-30 slump (.133) since Aug. 14 and is hitting .208 since his return from Triple-A Iowa.
"It's a day to work, get your thinking cap together, take some extra hitting, don't worry about being tired," Baker said.
The Cubs may be out of the race in most people's minds, but Baker is watching closely to make sure no one is cashing it in.
psullivan@tribune.com