Game Seventy-Five - Cubs 4 Pirates 1
WP - Randy Wells (3-3) LP - Virgil Vasquez (1-1) Save - Kevin Gregg (14)
The Cubs rebounded from a horrible game on Tuesday night behind another tremendous effort by Randy Wells ... and a refreshing performance by Sam Fuld. Lou Piniella's crew picked up their first series win on the road since taking two of three from the Reds at the beginning of June (June 5 - June 7).
The real Lou Piniella finally showed up in the sixth inning. Piniella was ejected for the first time this season for arguing a close play at first base. With runners on first and second with two outs, Randy Wells hit a bouncer back to Virgil Vasquez. The Pirates' pitcher bobbled the ball then threw a strike to Adam LaRoche at first. Wells appeared to beat the throw but was called out by first base umpire Chad Fairchild.
Lou Piniella ran out from the dugout, got into the umpires face, took off his cap and held it momentarily before slamming it to the ground. Fairchild ejected Piniella immediately and the Cubs' manager continued to argue his case. The fire that had been missing from Piniella was on display for the first time since July of last season.
Sam Fuld started the game in left for Alfonso Soriano and made an impact on the game's first pitch. Fuld ripped a double to right, his first big league hit, to start the game and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Theriot. Derrek Lee followed with his 12th home run of the year ro right center and gave Randy Wells all the runs he would need.
Not only did Sam Fuld reach base in three of his five trips to the plate (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a walk), he kept the tying run from scoring in the fifth inning. Up by a score of 2-1 and Pirates on first and second with two outs, Freddy Sanchez lined a single to left. Sam Fuld put himself into perfect position and threw a one-hop strike to Geovany Soto to cut down Jack Wilson at the plate, his second career outfield assist.
Fuld many several fine catches in left and took routes to balls that kept the Pirates from taking extra bases on singles to left center ... and to complete the night, Fuld caught the game's last three outs.
Randy Wells put together another quality start (eighth in ten games) and won his third game in a row. Wells completed seven strong innings for the fifth time in 10 starts and surrendered only one run on six hits in seven innings ... with a walk and four strikeouts on 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. Wells continued to keep the ball down and 12 of the 16 outs on balls put in play were on the ground.
Kosuke Fukudome turned in a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and his first home run since May 26. Fukudome's solo shot that just cleared the wall in the sixth gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.
The Cubs defense made several highlight reel plays on Wednesday night behind Randy Wells. Andres Blanco continued to prove his worth in the field and Kosuke Fukudome added a fine diving catch in center ... and while it might not be textbook plays, Jake Fox continued to be more than serviceable at third base.
The Cubs finished their 10-game, four city road trip with a disappointing 3-7 record but have shown signs they could be more than just a .500 team ...
Randy Wells continued to impress on Wednesday night. The young right-hander, in just his tenth big league start, showed the same composure and confidence that he has since being recalled in May. Wells struggled a little in the first inning, gave up his only run and Sam Fuld kept the Pirates from tying the game but he continued to attack hitters on Wednesday night.
Andrew McCutchen led off the bottom of the first with a double down the left field line. Wells retired Freddy Sanchez on a tapper back to the mound. Andres Blanco made a great play on a weak grounder hit by Garrett Jones for the second out of the inning. Wells walked Adam LaRoche on four pitches ... with two outs.
Brandon Moss followed with a single to center on a 1-2 pitch that plated McCutchen with the Pirates only run of the night. With runners on first and second up by only one, Wells struck out Ramon Vazquez to end the inning.
Wells faced the minimum in the second after Jack Wilson grounded into a 4-6-3 double play ... then he settled down. Wells retired the Pirates in order in third on three groundball outs. The Pirates went in order once again in the fourth before the fifth ended on the great play by Sam Fuld.
Jason Jaramillo led off the fifth inning with a single to left center. Jack Wilson grounded into a 5-4 fielder's choice. With Wilson at first, Virgil Vasquez struck out on a fouled bunt attempt. Andrew McCutchen followed with his second hit of the game ... a single to center on a 3-2 pitch. Freddy Sanchez then lined a single to left on a 1-1 pitch ... and Wilson was gunned out at the plate by Sam Fuld to end the inning.
Geovany Soto did a fine job of blocking the plate and the replays showed that Fuld put all he had into the throw ... Fuld ended up on his back and his perfect throw preserved the Cubs 2-1 lead.
Randy Wells retired the last six batters he faced to complete his night.
After hitting pinch-hitter Delwyn Young on a 1-2 pitch, Carlos Marmol retired the next three batters he faced with two strikeouts. Young was the seventh batter Marmol has hit this season.
Kevin Gregg put together an uneventful ninth inning ... three up, three down with all three fly outs to Sam Fuld.
The Cubs offense pounded out 10 hits and struggled with runners in scoring position. They finished the night 3-for-10 and left eight on base. In two different innings the Cubs left runners on second and third with less than two outs and failed to plate a single run.
The Cubs first three runs were scored off home runs ... Derrek Lee's two-run shot to right center in the first and Kosuke Fukudome's solo home run in the sixth.
The Cubs fourth run was plated in the eighth after a leadoff walk by Milton Bradley. Jake Fox reached on an error by Jack Wilson. Fox hit a grounder to the hole at short. Wilson made a fine diving stop but threw low to Freddy Sanchez. With runners on first and second with no outs, Kosuke Fukudome hit a deep fly out to the track in right ... Fukudome just missed it and his productive out advanced Bradley to third. Geovany Soto singled to left on a 1-1 pitch (his fifth hit of the series) and drove in Milton Bradley.
The Cubs won a game they had to win on Wednesday night ... with huge contributions from two players that did not figure into the Cubs' plans when the season began.
The Cubs open an important four-game series with the Brewers on Thursday night at Wrigley ... Ryan Dempster against Seth McClung.
The best thing about the season is the emergence of Wells...the kid seems to be the real deal and this is a huge bonus considering the Frankenstein like complexion of Hendry's squad. Guzman is also shown potential and some grit assuming he can stay heathly. Hopefully it will be a "race" in the Central that will be entertaining till the post season...if Ramirez doesn't return heathly some miraculous turnabouts are required..not likely but you're not dead 3 1/2 out at the break. Hey how about Marquis!
Great win Cubs--because it represents inspired play. And there were several players stepping up. Company took me out of this one, but the recap is exciting by itself.
If we would sweep the Brewers, Mo would really be on our side for a change. As all know, winning the Brewers and Cards series will be critical tests. Go Cubs!
ah wonderful ah wonderful for the wed. game!
Triple AAA players are making a statement and to look past them in favor of returning
dl players may send the second half of this season to disaster.These yougmen have displayed competitive/positive energy that has been lacking.
Seems like I missed one hell of a game.
God dammit. =(
I was having to work all around the clock.
Sorry about anyone who wanted a link. I guess this has became my job, haha. I promise I'll be here tonight to deliver.
I'm excited to hear about Lou, Fuld and Marmol. All around the board.
And agreed fully with EVERYONE about the lineup.
It's tradition. Let Neil handle that. The Cubs have won back to back division crowns on Neil's announcing the lineup. Let's not tinker with these things, okay?!
=)
So I've just watched bits and pieces of the game.
I don't know where THIS Randy Wells has been all of his career but THIS Randy Wells is a NL All Star. No question.
I also don't know where THIS Lou Piniella has been this whole season but THIS Lou Piniella is the guy we hired in 2006 to bring a World Series to Chicago.
"I'm not a Dragon.."
Yes Lou, you are. You have been and that's why you have that hefty 10 million contract you're sitting under.
Go out there and do that more often. And another reason why as per Randy Wells:
"It felt like Lou had my back in the sixth. It helped me go out there and toss two more innings.."
THAT'S why you're here Lou -- to have your players back.
Live, learn and...lose your zen books.
Last night's game was THE game I've been waiting to see all season....well-played,
crisp baseball.
Yes...we had risp and a few other malfunctions...BUT it was just an excellent game.
Please keep Fuld in there Lou.
Now let's give our BEST to Milwaukee!!!
With Ramirez, Johnson, Guzman, and Miles all coming back within the next couple weeks, what moves can we expect to see? I would like to see us get rid of Miles and Freel. That leaves 2 more spots. I'm assuming that no matter what Fuld does he'll be sent down. Blanco also could be sent down. That leaves either Patton or Samardzija. I really hope they don't send Fox down... maybe the'll trade him? I think I would like to see them put Soriano at 2B and use Fuld and Fox in LF. That would really be a great lineup assuming ARam is healthy. What does everyone else thing will happen when we are totally healthy (assuming that ever happens)? Here is my perfect lineup.
Soriano 2B
Theriot SS
ARam 3B
Lee 1B
Fox LF
Bradley RF
Soto C
Fuk/Johnson CF
If Fuld is the real deal, mabye he could lead off and we'll drop Soriano in the lineup.
Just saw this from Buster Olney's blog on ESPN.com. Doesn't make me feel very comfortable.
Dr. Michael Kaplan, a consultant for ESPN, on the risk that Aramis Ramirez faces as he comes back from shoulder surgery: "Ramirez suffered a complete dislocation of his left shoulder on May 8th diving for a ball. The soft tissues that hold the shoulder in the half socket have been stretched or torn. Ninety percent of shoulders that have traumatic dislocation in the young male group of athletes have recurrent instability without surgical repair. Because he leads with his left shoulder at bat, there is a huge hinge force in the front of the shoulder with follow through. This puts him at significant risk of re-injury. If he's able to be braced and finishes the year, offseason surgery will almost certainly be necessary with rehabilitation aimed at return for opening day."
I would be concerned about his power and discomfort swinging the bat. However, it already was unstable but he played that way for several years. Having said that no one really knows and this expert is not treating Ramirez so he is just hypotheizing.
Head scratcher
Cubs make a trade:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Source-Cubs-deal-for-Rockies-Baker;_ylt=AroTpcRuqFIjOSansMR08yMV0bYF?urn=mlb,174256
Ugh..
Typical Cub move. Buy low and hope to catch lightning in a bottle.
I hope it works and I hope this spells the end for Aaron Miles in Chicago...
There are questions on where Wells has been and the for-real-ness of Fuld--which questions apply also to others in our AAA brigade. Here's a little background and a couple of maybe's. The jury can only be described as out, it seems to me.
Wells was a 38th round draft choice--after growing up in Belleville, IL and spending some time at baseball powerhouse, Southwestern, IL Community College. He was a good 10-4 at AAA last year with a 4.02 ERA, 119 H in 127 IP, 34 W and 102 SO's. His ERA dropped at AAA early this year, and he has been super after his callup. His sample size is now enough to say that his stuff and ability to locate it could continue to impress. The cold-weather kid background (which implies slower development but more upside than warm-weather kid background) might apply. Warm weather kids can play baseball more or less year around.
Sam Fuld was a 10th round pick after 4 years at Stanford. He too is a cold-weather kid (from New Hampshire). Fuld was .283-0-27 at AAA this year and .271-5-48 last year at AA. His AAA record of 32 W and only 22 SO's along with 20 SB's suggests what he is--an OBP guy with excellent defensive skills. His major league, hitting sample size is small and now something like 2 hits in 15 AB's. He probably has to hit .280 + to get a lot of playing time.
With guys like Wells and Fuld and Hoffpauir and Fox, you can hope that their relatively short-term success will continue. They all are "late bloomers", and it's possible one or more of them won't sustain good enough performance to become productive regulars.
Adding Scales, Blanco, Ascaino, Samardzija and Hart to the mix, we can be pleased with AAA, Iowa's contributions to our season. There's some irony that some regulars have to continue to suck for the spare parts to get good opportunities to prove themselves.
Other than physical prowess...(it was nice to see his defensive agility last
night)...New Hampshire is God's Country...and Stanford means brains.
In the old days...they used to have player/managers.
I can see it now...with our history of the college of coaches...Cuns break new
ground with the first PLAYER/GM.
FULD FOR GM !!!LOL
(nothing like a win to put us in a good mood,)
Baker is the guy I touted during the winter because he plays 2nd, 3rd, 1st and the corner outield spots--and has some pop. He did not get off to a good start with the Rockies, was injured and has been DL'd for most of the season.
Clearly, he won't make us forget DeRo, and he likely is now deemed to be a better fit than say Freel, Scales, et.al. If healthy, I still likely him.
I only know one thing: if this team can't win this season, it's no longer on Lou. There's only so many times you can go out and get tossed to spark a team. But hey, only one worked in 2007, so there's no reason more than one is needed this year.
I'll reserve judgement on this trade until I see who's involved...it's no Sanchez deal....and I hope it doesn't bump Fox out.
I am not really counting on ARAM. I have a good friend that had a similar shoulder problem playing football in the 70's...medical science hasjumped by leaps and bounds since then....so we really don't know...but it cost him his
pro career...as his shoulder constantly popped out after his initial injury.
Maybe Baker will do the job...but it smells like Gathright/Freel/Chad Fox/
Miles...type of things.
JH is getting cozy with Colorado this
year...who else do they have that he might go for?
I would hope Brad Hawpe (chuckles)...I also know that they've wanted to rid themselves of Helton's contract, which expires in 2011, with a club option for 2012. I know it might seem ridiculous, considering he's even older than Lee, but he has 9 hr, 53 RBI, .312 avg (11 out of 13 seasons over .300), .392 OBP (8 seasons over .400 OBP), .504 SLG
Derrek Lee: 12 hr, 41 RBI, .282 avg (only 2 out of 13 seasons does he have over .300 avg), .361 OBP (2 seasons over .400 OBP), .478 SLG
Anyway, Helton, because he's more of a contact hitter, will age MUCH better than Lee would, and his career averages of 191 hits, 30 hr, 109 RBI, .328 avg, .427 OBP...and he averages 101 walks vs 80 K's are far better than Lee's 162 hits 27 hr, 88 RBI, .282, .366 OBP...73 walks vs 133 K's
Anyway, that would be my 2 recommendations...either Hawpe or Helton...and we need to give some love to JimK's favorite-----Seth Smith....Mr. Eli Manning's back-up QB at Ole Miss
And Peyton Manning backed up Todd Helton at Tennessee. I love these little ironies.
Colorado has been doing well recently...in the baseball world...it doesn't really make sense for them to be sellers...the financial world may be another story....
I know the baseball heads or gurus think Huston Street might go...but if I'm Colorado...currently a game out of a playoff spot...I might ride with him
a while....He would look nice in a
"Mitch Williams" uniform though.
Aaron, I just don't see DLee going anywhere until his contract is up.
It's not a JH type of move....especially
with Lee producing now...although there are better options at first...too many other NEEDS to be addressed....
Outfield
second
closer
lefty bullpen
I can live with DLee this season and next....I cannot live with Soriano.
Just read a Foxsports aggregate rumor:
Bradley to Detroit...straight up for
Magglio Ordonez.
It really doesn't make sense sinse Mag's
cotract is larger than Bradley's...and
Mag's is definitely another DH candidate.
But it is something to ponder.
Pitcher Alberto Alburqueque (Sp) A ball
Daytona...for Baker....according to espn.com