August 2008 Archives

According to a report on Cubs.com, the first round of call-ups on Monday will include Micah Hoffpauir, Koyie Hill, Michael Wuertz and Casey McGehee. The Cubs will also activate Jon Lieber from the 15-day disabled list on Monday as well as Angel Guzman from the 60-day DL.

The Cubs will have to make three roster moves as well as clear space on the 40-man roster. On Sunday the Cubs 40-man roster stood at 38 but with calling up Koyie Hill and Casey McGehee that will take up the final two spots. In order to activate Angel Guzman another move will have to be made....

Updated - 8:34pm C.T. - Rich Hill Placed on the 15-Day DL
Updated - 11:30pm C.T. - Chad Fox Placed on the 60-Day DL

Game One Hundred Thirty-Seven - Cubs 3 Phillies 5
WP - Jamie Moyer (12-7) LP - Sean Marshall (3-4) Save - Brad Lidge (33)

Jayson Werth was the difference for the second day in a row as the Cubs lost back-to-back games for the first time since July 25th and July 26th. Werth added to his 2 home run, 4 RBI game on Saturday with another home run and 3 more runs batted in on Sunday....3 home runs and 7 RBI's in two games for the Phillies right fielder. Lou Piniella revealed in his post-game press conference that the decision to push Carlos Zambrano back came on Saturday night and for one of the rare times this season Sean Marshall could not come through when asked.

Marshall gave up 3 runs in the 1st inning, all with 2 outs, and left with 1-out in the 6th after surrendering 5 runs on 9 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Jeff Samardzija allowed his fourth inherited runner to score in relief of Marshall. Bobby Howry and Neal Cotts did not allow the Phillies to tack on but the Cubs could not mount another comeback.

For the second day in a row the Cubs offense got their hits, but they were all singles and left a total of 10 on base....six by Alfonso Soriano alone. In the last 18 innings the Cubs offense has totaled 22 hits, all singles, with 3 walks and only 5 runs. Ronny Cedeno, Sean Marshall and Henry Blanco drove in the three runs on the afternoon. While Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano were 1-for-14 with a walk....the 'Big Three' must start producing on a consistent basis down the stretch.

Sunday's loss was the Cubs 21st of the season at Wrigley and coupled with the Brewers win in Pittsburgh the Cubs lead in the division is down to 4 1/2 games. As Lou Piniella has stated repeatedly over the past few weeks, the Cubs have a lot of work to do and have not won anything yet. The Cubs ended their consecutive series winning streak with the split against the Phillies, 9-0-2 in the last 11 series. The Cubs completed the season series against the Phillies with a losing record, 3-4.

Lou Piniella's crew finished a very good month with two disappointing losses but still managed an impressive 20-8 record....

Game One Hundred Thirty-Seven: Cubs (85-51) vs. Phillies (74-62)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Sean Marshall (3-3, 3.52/1.15) vs. Jamie Moyer (11-7, 3.81/1.35)

Updated - 10:55am C.T. - Carlos Zambrano scratched - Sean Marshall to start

Updated - 11:15am C.T. - Zambrano pushed back to probably Wednesday against the Astros

It's the last day of August and happy Labor Day weekend from everyone here at the CCO.... Lou Piniella's crew will take the field today with a chance to win their 21st game of the month (20-7) and in the process establish a new mark for wins in August. The previous high was set in 1984 when the Jim Frey-led Chicago Cubs finished with a 20-10 record. A win today would not only give the Cubs a winning record on the season series against the Phillies (3-3) for the first time since 2001 but would give them 10 series wins in a row of two or more games for the first time in over 100 years. The Cubs are 9-0-1 in their last 10 series dating back to July 24th.

The Cubs will need a solid outing today from Sean Marshall as he fills in for Carlos Zambrano. A report in the Sun-Times on Sunday morning indicated Zambrano is battling through a dead arm period. Piniella mentioned before Saturday's game that the schedule over the next two weeks would allow him to give not only Zambrano extra time between starts but Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster as well. Piniella mentioned on Saturday he might use Sean Marshall in a spot start in order to give his regular five a little more rest but gave no indication that spot start could come as early as today. With extra arms on the way Monday (Jon Lieber and Angel Guzman), Piniella will have plenty of options over the season's final month.

The Cubs must be patient today against Jamie Moyer and make him pitch to them....not the other way around. If the offense tries to hit his pitch it could be a very frustrating afternoon. The Cubs have not lost back-to-back games since July 25 - July 26 against the Marlins and with the former Indian pitching in the Steel City today, the Cubs will need to pick up a win to keep the current distance with their closest pursuer.

Game One Hundred Thirty-Six - Cubs 2 Phillies 5
WP - Brett Myers (8-10) LP - Ted Lilly (13-8) Save - Brad Lidge (32)

The Cubs 7-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon at the hands of Brett Myers. Lou Piniella's crew lost for only the 20th time this season at Wrigley (51-20) as Ted Lilly was just out pitched by Brett Myers. The Cubs had chances early against Myers and left 7 on base in the first 4 innings but could not come through with a base hit. The Cubs offense managed 11 hits, all singles, and only 1 walk on the afternoon. Geovany Soto gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead with his 79th RBI of the year in the 2nd inning and Aramis Ramirez cut the Phillies lead to 5-2 with his 100th RBI of the season in the 8th....his 45th RBI after the 7th inning.

The Cubs had a chance to tie the game in the 8th inning but J.C. Romero struck out Geovany Soto with the bases loaded to end the inning. Romero made sure everyone watching the game both in the park and on TV knew exactly how felt following the called third strike.

Ted Lilly pitched a good game and made only a few mistakes on the afternoon. Jayson Werth drove in all 3 runs Lilly surrendered with a home run in the 5th and a 2-out, 2-run double in the 6th, the eventual game winner. Lilly hit two batters, and the biggest came in the 6th on a 0-2 pitch to Shane Victorino. The Phillies centerfielder took one for the team that loaded the bases for Werth....Ted Lilly said after the game he thought Victorino leaned out over the plate.

For the first time in the series the Cubs bullpen gave up runs late, which proved to be the difference. Neal Cotts served up solo home runs in the 8th to Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth.

To use the oldest baseball cliche of all-time, you can't win 'em all. The Cubs lost for only the seventh time this month (20-7) and will still own the best record in baseball at the end of the day....

Game One Hundred Thirty-Six: Cubs (85-50) vs. Phillies (73-62)
Game Time - 2:55pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: FOX Saturday Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ted Lilly (13-7, 4.23/1.31) vs. Brett Myers (7-10, 4.49/1.40)

It's the last Saturday in August and happy Labor Day weekend from everyone here at the CCO.... The Cubs offense will face a tough customer today in the red hot Brett Myers. Myers has been dominant of late and has always pitched well against the Cubs....but that was without Jim Edmonds in the lineup, who has very good career numbers against the Phillies' right hander.

A win today would give the Cubs 10 straight series wins (9-0-1) of at least two games or more for the first time since they won 10 straight in 1907. Ted Lilly has been good of late as well but he must keep the ball down and in the park as much as possible against the team with the most longballs in the National League. As Mr. Robinson use to say, today's word boys and girls is "solo".....as in limit the home runs to just solo shots.

In other news.... Expect additions to the big league club starting on Monday. Reports are suggesting the Cubs could increase their active roster to 32 or 33 players over the next few weeks. According to a report from Bruce Miles, the Cubs will call up 3-4 players next week from Triple A and they will likely not pull from the Double-A Tennessee squad this September.

Jon Lieber should be activated from the DL, as well as Angel Guzman....which would require a 40-man roster move. Koyie Hill will be added to the 40-man and be recalled and Micah Hoffpauir should remain with the big club for the remainder of the season. Dave Kaplan mentioned on Friday night that if the Cubs do make the post season, Hoffpauir would likely be on the playoff roster if he continues to hit the way he has this summer for both Chicago and Iowa. Kevin Hart, Felix Pie and Michael Wuertz will also be up at some point in the upcoming month.

Fasten Those Seatbelts....

Game One Hundred Thirty-Five - Cubs 3 Phillies 2
WP - Jeff Samardzija (1-0) LP - Clay Condrey (3-4) Save - Carlos Marmol (7)

The Chicago Cubs equaled their win total from a season ago with their 39th come from behind victory of the year on Friday afternoon. The Cubs offense was dominated by Joe Blanton early on and did not record their first hit until the 4th inning, a 2-out single by Aramis Ramirez. But the Cubs started taking pitches in the 5th and a lead off walk by Mark DeRosa, an infield single by Henry Blanco and a gift from Jimmy Rollins lead to the Cubs first run.

The Cubs were down 2-1 entering the 6th inning and once again a rally was started with a free pass. Ryan Theriot worked a lead off walk and before Joe Blanton was able to record the third out of the inning, he walked the bases loaded. Charlie Manual lifted his starter in favor of former Cub, Scott Eyre.

Kosuke Fukudome stepped in and looked at strike one before taking three straight out of the zone. Eyre fired a very close pitch that was called ball four and home plate umpire, Bill Welke, had to tell a hesitant Fukudome that the pitch was indeed called a ball. Ryan Theriot was forced in and the Cubs tied the game without the benefit of a single hit.

The Cubs walked seven times on the afternoon and managed only 4 hits.

After catching a break on a controversial call that ended the top of the 7th, Alfonso Soriano dug in with 1-out in the bottom of the inning against Clay Condrey with the game tied at 2. Soriano got ahead in the count 2-0 then gave the Cubs the lead with his 23rd longball of the season....a no doubter to left center, it was Soriano's first home run since August 14th in Atlanta.

Rich Harden struggled with his command and walked 4 and hit a batter in just 5 innings of work. Harden gave up only 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts on 100 pitches. Harden, like Ryan Dempster, did not have his best stuff but kept his team in the game and put them into position to win. The Cubs pitching held the Phillies to 6 singles and broke their string of hitting at least one extra base hit in 60 straight games dating back to June 18th.

Chad Gaudin tossed a scoreless 6th inning and turned the game over to the backend of the bullpen.

Jeff Samardzija picked up his first big league win with an inning and a third of scoreless relief. Samardzija walked a pair, gave up 2 hits and struggled with his command but kept the Phillies from adding on before turning the game over to Carlos Marmol.

Senor Nasty picked up his 7th save of the season with a rare 5 out save. Marmol struck out 3 of the 5 batters he faced on just 21 pitches. After Friday's dominating performance, Marmol has 100 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings.

When asked following the game if the Cubs are a team of destiny, Lou Piniella responded with: "I don't believe in destiny. I believe in good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. When you do that you create your own destiny."

The Cubs won their 7th in a row and improved to 20-6 in the month of August with 2 games left to play. The franchise record for wins in August was set in 1984 when they finished with a 20-10 mark....the Cubs are a season high 35 games over .500 with a Major League best 85-50 record.

Game One Hundred Thirty-Five: Cubs (84-50) vs. Phillies (73-61)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (9-2, 2.00/1.03, 4-1, 1.47/0.75) vs. Joe Blanton (6-12, 4.75/1.42, 1-0, 4.03/1.42)

After the dramatic come from behind win on Thursday night, the Cubs will get back to work this afternoon behind Rich Harden in a battle of former Oakland A's pitchers. When the season began, Joe Blanton was the A's Opening Day starter and Rich Harden followed. 135 games later the former teammates will square off at Wrigley Field in a very important game for both teams.

The Phillies slipped to a full game behind the Mets on Thursday and with the Brewers just 6 1/2 back and the road trip that is September on the horizon, all of the remaining 28 have equal importance.

Kerry Wood will likely be unavailable for today's game after pitching four days in a row. Carlos Marmol should pitch the 9th with Jeff Samardzija inserted in the 8th....that is if Rich Harden can do his job and if the Cubs have a lead late in the game. Joe Blanton will make his first career appearance at Wrigley and against the Cubs. Mark DeRosa, Alfonso Soriano and Reed Johnson have faced their former American League foe and have good career numbers against Blanton. It will be interesting to see if Lou Piniella finds a place for Johnson in the starting lineup.

Fasten Those Seatbelts....

Game One Hundred Thirty-Four - Cubs 6 Phillies 4
WP - Bobby Howry (6-4) LP - Chad Durbin (5-3, BS 5) Save - Kerry Wood (28)

One of the most thrilling games of the year....what a comeback on a night the Cubs appeared to be heading for a loss. This version of the Chicago Cubs never quits and they proved it once again on Thursday night at the old ballpark with a dramatic come from behind victory against the Phillies.

The Cubs trailed 4-1 going into the bottom of the 8th inning and unleashed their frustrations from the first 7 innings on the Phillies bullpen. Little Babe Ruth, Mike Fontenot, led off the 8th with a booming home run to left center off of Ryan Madson, his 9th of the year. Alfonso Soriano followed with a double to right center and Ryan Theriot singled to right. Mike Quade held Soriano at 3rd and Derrek Lee worked a walk. Charlie Manual brought in Chad Durbin to face Aramis Ramirez with the bases loaded and no outs.

Aramis Ramirez looked at ball one then launched Durbin's second pitch into the bleachers in left center....the Phillies centerfielder, Shane Victorino never moved. It was a blast! Here's how Pat Hughes and Ron Santo called it:

Hughes: "Deep fly ball. Left centerfield. It's gotta chance....GRAND SLAM! GRAND SLAM ARAMIS RAMIREZ! Cubs lead 6-4!"....Santo: "YES! YES SIR! YES! OH MY GOSH!"

Ramirez admired before trotting around the bases and then gave the jubilant crowd a curtain call. The Grand Slam was the 8th slam of his career and 24th longball of the season. It was the 11th home run of the year for Ramirez after the 7th inning.

Ryan Dempster was let off the hook with the late inning comeback. Dempster struggled with his command early on and gave up a run in the 1st inning for only the seventh time this season. Dempster settled down but ran out of gas in the 6th. After the Cubs tied the game in the 5th, the Phillies scored 3 off of Dempster and took a commanding 4-1 lead with Cole Hamels on the mound. Dempster departed after allowing 4 runs on 8 hits with 7 strikeouts and 4 walks.

Sean Marshall and Bobby Howry were tremendous in relief of Dempster and kept the Phillies from tacking onto their lead. Marshall retired the side in order with a strikeout in the 7th and Howry did the same in the 8th in arguably his best outing of the season. Howry was sharp and threw only 10 pitches, 9 for strikes.

Kerry Wood gave up a lead off single to Jimmy Rollins in the 9th but retired Chase Utley on a deep fly to center, Pat Burrell on a fly out to shallow center and Ryan Howard on a pop out to Aramis Ramirez at short in the shift.

Lou Piniella's crew won their 84th game of the season and 50th of the year at Wrigley on their skipper's 65th birthday....

Game One Hundred Thirty-Four: Cubs (83-50) vs. Phillies (73-60)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.85/1.17) vs. Cole Hamels (11-8, 3.20/1.04)

The stretch run of the 2008 season begins tonight with the first of four against one of the hottest teams in the National League....the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite losing the finale of the series against the Mets on Wednesday night, the Phillies are 8-2 in their last 10. The Cubs and the Phillies will send their four best starters to the mound during this series, but tonight it is Ryan Dempster against Cole Hamels.

The Phillies won two of three against the Cubs in Philly back in April (11th - 13th) on the Cubs first road trip of the season. And the Cubs will be looking to repay the favor. The Phillies are the only team in the National League with a winning record against the Cubs this season....26 of the Cubs final 29 games will be against team's with a record of .500 or better.

There are several keys to attempting to beat the Phillies. One...keep Jimmy Rollins in check. Two...do not allow Shane Victorino to jump-start the offense. Three...do not help their potent offense. In other words, make 'em earn it and keep the free passes to a minimum. And finally, score early and keep tacking on. The Phillies have the offense to come back at will and if they are ahead in the 9th, well....Brad Lidge has not blown a save all season.

The Cubs and Phillies will be one of three games around the league to feature instant replay for the first time tonight....and the rest of the league will have the new technology on Friday. And as fate would have it, Wrigley Field will be the first park in the Senior Circuit to use instant replay in an official game.

Fasten Those Seatbelts....

In this fourth installment of those players I see that have been touched by the magic of the Cubs this year, I will take a look at the minor leaguers. More specifically I am referring to Micah Hoffpauir and Jeff Samardzija, who have been called up, jumped in and helped the Cubs continue to win.