April 2009 Archives

Game Twenty-One - Cubs 2 Marlins 8 - 10 innings
WP - Renyel Pinto (2-0) LP - Aaron Heilman (2-1) Save - None

Lou Piniella's crew finished the first month of the season with a 10-11 record and dropped below the .500 mark for the first time since April 5, 2008. For a team that was expected to run away with the Central Division they have not played anywhere near expectations.

Ron Santo summed up the Cubs first twenty-one games during the top of the tenth inning, "When you look at this team, it's not one thing. It's several things." And when the eternal optimist says that about his team....

The Cubs bullpen wasted one of the best outings by a starter all season. Sean Marshall turned in an excellent performance. He held the Marlins to one run on six hits, his biggest mistake...a solo home run by Jorge Cantu in the seventh inning. The Cubs' defense turned a pair of double plays behind Marshall, which helped bail him out of some trouble...but the Cubs' fifth starter walked only two and struck out six. He more than earned the victory.

While Koyie Hill and Alfonso Soriano turned in outstanding defensive plays, the Cubs committed three errors on the night, two by Ryan Theriot and one by Carlos Marmol in the eighth that allowed the Marlins to tie the game. Both the tying and winning runs were scored on errors.

The Cubs had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. Ryan Theriot led off the inning with a single to center. Kosuke Fukudome struck out on a 3-2 pitch but Theriot stole second with Derrek Lee at the plate. Lee struck out swinging for the second time in the game with a runner in scoring position. Milton Bradley was intentionally walked and Fredi Gonzalez brought in Renyel Pinto to face Mike Fontenot.

Lou Piniella went to his bench for Reed Johnson. Johnson quickly fell behind in the count 0-2 before taking a ball. Johnson then hit a hard grounder up the middle, just to the left of second base. Alfredo Amezaga, filling in for the injured Hanley Ramirez, made a diving stop and forced Milton Bradley at second to end the inning. Why wasn't Joey Gathright running for Milton Bradley?

The Marlins came out swinging in the tenth against Aaron Heilman and before the Cubs could record three outs, the Marlins scored six runs. For his part, Heilman struggled with his command but Kosuke Fukudome misplayed a ball in center that led to a bloop double by Amezaga to start the inning. Ryan Theriot could not handle a throw from Derrek Lee that allowed the winning run to score. After a squeeze play gave the Marlins a two-run lead, Heilman walked the bases loaded and Jorge Cantu put the game out of reach with a bases clearing double.

Chris Volstad held the Cubs anemic offense in check and on the night they managed just five hits, one walk and five total base runners. Milton Bradley gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead with his first career home run at Wrigley in the fifth. Mike Fontenot followed with his third home run in four games, fourth on the year, and the Cubs hit back-to-back home runs for the first time this season. The Cubs managed only three other hits all night and finished the game 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Following the game Lou Piniella said, "It has nothing to do with patience. It's about getting hits and scoring runs. What am I supposed to do play my bench?" Maybe it is time for Piniella to try something new to spark this team, if he doesn't then who will? The Cubs were embarrassed for the fourth time in the last seven games, it seems ego and pride would have already kicked in by now.

Game Twenty-One: Cubs (10-10) vs. Marlins (13-8)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Sean Marshall (0-1, 4.50/1.42) vs. Chris Volstad (2-0, 2.70/1.16)

Updated 4:55pm C.T. - According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs will not place Aramis Ramirez on the DL. Ramirez "ran much better" than on Tuesday. Bobby Scales is in Chicago and the Cubs were contemplating another roster move to keep him, but decided against it. The Sun-Times stated the Cubs will not make any moves before tonight's game against the Marlins.

The fifth place Chicago Cubs open up an important four-game series against the Marlins tonight. After not being competitive in three of their last six games, the Cubs need to get back to basics tonight, play hard and just try to win a game.

Alfonso Soriano has publicly questioned his team's desire and tonight would be a good time to start seeing improved play in all three facets of the game. While many are brushing off the team's record and standing within the division, which is irrelevant at this point, the lack of focus, effort and consistency are a few of the things that has this writer concerned after 20 games.

The Cubs are expected to be without Aramis Ramirez and he could be placed on the DL before tonight's game. Lou Piniella also should go back to his plan of giving Geovany Soto a couple of days off. Koyie Hill is hitting and Soto is hurting.

While Piniella will likely play the lefty-righty match-ups to the book, right handers hit slightly better against Chris Volstad on the season... .195/.167.

Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. As always you can check out my site at www.youngcubsworld.com for daily updates of the big performers.

Andrew Cashner made his season debut on Sunday for the Daytona Cubs. Cashner allowed one run on one hit in 2 2/3 innings with walk and two strikeouts.

According to a report on Cubs.com, Aramis Ramirez could be placed on the 15-day DL before Thursday's game against the Florida Marlins. Ramirez will test his calf on Thursday and if it has not shown any improvement since his pre-game workouts on Tuesday the Cubs will be forced to place him on the DL.

Lou Piniella mentioned the Cubs could call-up Bobby Scales, the career minor leaguer who has been in the Cubs system for the past two seasons, to give them an extra infielder.

Game Twenty - Cubs 0 Diamondbacks 10
WP - Doug Davis (2-3) LP - Ryan Dempster (1-1) Save - None

Maybe Alfonso Soriano knows something that the Cubs front office is not willing to admit yet. Soriano told the Sun-Times before Tuesday night's game, "We're too much relaxed. We've got to go out and fight. We've been giving the 'W' to the other teams, because from what I see we're not fighting win. We just play nine innings, and what happen, happens. We don't play nine innings and try to get wins. The years two years, I saw more hunger to win."

Alfonso Soriano then helped lead his team to victory on Tuesday night...but Wednesday, it was back to the same Cubs that's been taking the field for the last week.

The problem with the team right now was summed up by Pat Hughes during the game...the Cubs were not competitive on Wednesday and we not in three of the six games on the road trip. The Cubs finished with a 2-4 record and the 'effort' on Wednesday was the worst of them all.

The Cubs did not pitch, hit or catch the ball. What is the line from Bull Durham? While it is only 20 games into the season and there are 142 left it is time for the Cubs to wake up and realize no one is just going to roll over and let them win a ballgame...much less a division or a playoff game.

Lou Piniella's offense managed two hits and was shutout for the second time in the last week on Wednesday. While they worked the count early on against Doug Davis, they managed only two walks and three all afternoon...just six baserunners, and that is not going to win any games at the big league level.

From the mound Ryan Dempster had another bad inning and with the fact the Cubs are not hitting right now, the three runs in the first inning might as well been ten. Dempster walked the leadoff hitter and after an infield single by Augie Ojeda, a passed ball and a ground rule double the Cubs were in a hole they simply could not get out of.

Game Twenty: Cubs (10-9) vs. Diamondbacks (8-12)
Game Time - 2:40pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Chase Field, Phoenix

Ryan Dempster (1-0, 4.88/1.42) vs. Doug Davis (1-3, 3.67/1.30)

Lou Piniella's crew will try to win the rubber game of the series and finish the six-game road trip with a 3-3 record this afternoon behind Ryan Dempster. The Cubs offense had a breakout night on Tuesday but will have their hands full once again this afternoon with Doug Davis.

The Cubs have traditionally struggled against Doug Davis and will be without at least one of their big right-handed bats. Righties have hit .311 against Davis this season while lefties have hit just .208. The Cubs will face a lefty starter for only the second time this season and the first time in 17 games, 22 days...Wandy Rodriguez in the second game of the year.

Geovany Soto will be out of the starting lineup again today. Lou Piniella said Soto is getting a mental break while he tries to "get the cobwebs out."

Aramis Ramirez will be out of today's lineup and will be re-evaluated on Thursday. Ramirez was having trouble running in warm-ups on Tuesday and they are going to make sure he is ready before putting him back in the lineup. Monday, Mark O'Neal said losing Ramirez for an extended period would be devastating to the team. They are not going to rush him back.

Derrek Lee should be back in the lineup today after Piniella gave him Tuesday night off...especially with Doug Davis on the mound for Arizona.

A quick show reminder...The CCO Radio will air live tonight at 7:00pm C.T. following the Cubs final game of the road trip against the D'Backs on Blog Talk Radio. To listen to the 60-minute call-in show live, click on this link and go to Blog Talk Radio. The podcast of the show will be available around 9:00pm C.T. and can be accessed through the player on the right side of the CCO or through Blog Talk Radio.

Discuss the Cubs-D'Backs game and everything Cubs with Brian and Shaun. The call-in number to talk Cubs with Brian and Shaun live is 347-237-4020.

Game Nineteen - Cubs 11 Diamondbacks 3
WP - Carlos Zambrano (2-1) LP - Yusmeiro Petit (0-2) Save - None

The Cubs avoided dropping below the .500 mark with a very good win in the desert behind Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano not only pitched a great game but he turned in a great night at the plate. After starting the season 0-for-9, Zambrano was 3-for-4 on Tuesday night that included his first home run of the year, an opposite field shot in the seventh...the 17th of his career, most ever by a Cubs' pitcher. Zambrano scored three runs and drove in a pair and was just a triple short of the cycle.

On the mound Zambrano survived a very shaky start and pitched seven strong innings. Zambrano fell behind all four batters he faced in the first inning, each with at least three-ball counts. Zambrano walked Chad Tracy on four straight before inducing a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Mark Reynolds to end the inning.

Big Z allowed one run over the first six innings...and his line for the evening, three runs on eight hits in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Zambrano became the seventh pitcher in Cubs history to record 1,200 strikeouts after Chris Young looked at strike three in the second inning.

Alfonso Soriano gave Zambrano a three-run cushion in the third inning with his seventh home run of the year. Soriano's three-run shot was the first of three home runs on the night for the Cubs offense. Soriano was 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run and four RBI. Mike Fontenot hit his third of the season and second in as many nights in the fourth, a two-run homer to right center with Milton Bradley aboard....and not to be outdone, Carlos Zambrano added his first of the year in the seventh after just missing in the fifth.

The Cubs scored in each inning from the third through the seventh, with multi runs in the third, fourth and fifth. The Cubs showed a lot of patience against Yusmeiro Petit and pounded out 15 hits to go along with six walks on the night.

Koyie Hill, Kosuke Fukudome and Milton Bradley had solid nights at the plate. Hill finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI...and the Cubs improved to 22-9 in games started by Hill dating back to 2007. Fukudome reached base in all four trips to the plate with a single and three walks. In his return to the starting lineup, Bradley recorded hard hit singles from both sides and added a walk in five at bats.

The offense turned it up on Tuesday night against a pitcher in a park they have struggled against in the past. The Cubs won their tenth game of the season and improved to 15-28 at Chase Field during the regular season.

Game Nineteen: Cubs (9-9) vs. Diamondbacks (8-11)
Game Time - 8:40pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 189
Location - Chase Field, Phoenix

Carlos Zambrano (1-1, 4.85/1.50) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (0-1, 6.00/1.67)

Updated - 6:32pm C.T. - Milton Bradley is in tonight's starting lineup and Geovany Soto will be given tonight off and possibly Wednesday as well. According to a report from the Sun-Times, Aramis Ramirez is "still at least a couple of days away" from returning. Ramirez "was not pleased with how the pregame work went today."

Derrek Lee is not in the original lineup...but that could change.

The Cubs will try to avoid dropping below .500 tonight for the first time since April 5, 2008 behind Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs' offense is expected to receive a boost with the returns of Aramis Ramirez and Milton Bradley.

The Cubs pushed Ramirez a little on Monday according to Mark O'Neal but at the same time are being very cautious with Ramirez. The Cubs understand they cannot afford to lose him for a long period of time and O'Neal added that losing Ramirez for an extended period would "be devastating."

Milton Bradley is expected to make only his second start since leaving the game in Milwaukee back on April 12. Bradley pinch-hit on Monday and struck out in the eighth inning.

Carlos Marmol is also expected to be available tonight after a 25-pitch bullpen session went very well on Monday. Marmol said he is feeling 100%.

Derrek Lee could miss the remainder of the series with neck spasms. He is not expected to be in the lineup tonight and while some reports during the game on Monday indicated a possible Wednesday return, reports following the loss indicated Lee could miss the final two games in Arizona.

The Cubs really need Carlos Zambrano to step up tonight and deliver a gem...and keep his team above .500. The Cubs' offense is struggling and it will not get any easier for them tonight. While Yusmeiro Petit has been an inconsistent Major League pitcher, he has dominated the Cubs. Petit is 2-0, in three career starts against Lou Piniella's crew, with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP.

Jake Fox continued crushing Triple-A pitching on Monday night. Fox is off to a tremendous start with the Iowa Cubs after a great spring and added two more home runs to his April resume on Monday night.

Fox launched his tenth and eleventh home runs of the year off Nick Green of the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers). Fox played first base for the I-Cubs on Monday.

Game Eighteen - Cubs 2 Diamondbacks 7
WP - Dan Haren (2-3) LP - Ted Lilly (2-2) Save - None

Dan Haren tossed his first complete game since September 16, 2008 and the seventh of his career...and not only pitched a gem but drove in the winning run with a two-out, two-run double in the fourth. The Cubs managed only one baserunner on the night, a broken bat single by Ted Lilly in the third inning. The Cubs other two hits...solo home runs by Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot.

Lou Piniella's struggling offense did not manage a single baserunner after the third inning. Haren struck out 10, did not walk a batter and threw only 111 pitches.

The Cubs not only miss Aramis Ramirez and the offense he brings to the park every night, but his defense. Mike Fontenot was involved in several key plays and he committed two of the three Cubs' errors on the night.

Justin Upton reached on a one-out infield single that Fontenot simply took too much time to make the throw. After the Upton single, Ted Lilly retired Ryan Roberts but walked Chris Snyder to load the bases with two outs.

Dan Haren chopped a ball over the head of Fontenot, who was playing a little too shallow at third. Haren ended up with a double and with more than enough runs to go the distance. Chris Young continued his dominance over Ted Lilly and followed Haren with a double into the gap in left center that gave the D'Backs a 5-1 lead...all four runs were scored with two outs.

Ted Lilly did not have it on Monday night. He struggled with his command and could not keep the ball down. Lilly allowed five runs on six hits in five innings with four walks and three strikeouts...five of the six hits were for extra bases.

The Diamondbacks ran all over Cubs' pitching and Geovany Soto. The Cubs had allowed only six stolen bases in the first 17 games and Arizona swiped five bases on Monday out of six attempts...and the sixth one was successful after Mike Fontenot dropped the ball.

Other than Alfonso Soriano's 52nd leadoff home run of his career, there were only three other highlights on the night for the Cubs. Mike Fontenot's second home run of the season. Jeff Samardzija put together a very good eighth inning in relief of David Patton...and Kosuke Fukudome threw out Mark Reynolds at the plate to end the second inning.

Two teams entered play on Monday night struggling offensively and under performing on the young season. One looked lifeless and was totally dominated in every facet of the game while the other picked up their eighth win of the year.