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Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 05/17/12

2012-05-17T06:00:00Z

With the return of some players from injuries, the system took a turn for the better, going 8-2 to start the week. Peoria welcomed back Anthony Giansanti, as he played a big part in their three wins. Daytona had an off-day and a rainout, but won on Monday thanks to Austin Kirk. Junior Lake has reached base in all nine of his games since returning from injury, as Tennessee won two of three. And out on the west coast, Iowa received great hitting from Anthony Rizzo, as well as an outstanding pitching performance by Chris Rusin.

As Jack Brickhouse used to say ... for the happy totals come look in today's Down on the Farm Report.

]]> Note: Monday's report will cover games from Wednesday to Saturday. Thursday's report covers games Sunday through Tuesday.

Low Class-A - Peoria Chiefs (18-21)
With a new week there is a new mission, as Peoria started off on the right foot by beating Burlington 5-3 on Sunday. The Chiefs are playing teams in the lower part of the Midwest League's Western Division, so the time to make up ground is now. Starter Jose Rosario began to show the promise he had when the season started. Rosario blanked the Bees for six innings while striking out seven batters. Manager Casey Kopitzke did the right thing to get Rosario out of the game on a high note, and brought in dependable Luis Liria. Liria did surrender and earned run, but held the lead by striking out three over two innings. The game almost got away as the relatively inexperienced Charles Thomas. Thomas gave up two earned runs in 0.2 innings. But Jeffrey Lorick was able to collect his fifth save by striking the last batter out.

The Chiefs' hitters took on Sean Murphy, one of the best pitchers in the Midwest League, but were able to give Rosario some breathing room as they scratched out a run. Wes Darvill (0-for-2, three walks, two runs scored) was able to come home on a Paul Hoilman (2-for-4, RBI) single. Rafael Lopez had an RBI as he was 1-for-2, while Ryan Cuneo and Anthony Giansanti each drove in a run while going 1-for-4.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

Pitching dominated Monday's contest, as the Chiefs were able to squeak past Burlington 2-1. Kyler Burke was on the hill for Peoria and struck out four in six innings. Burke allowed an earned run during his outing. Austin Reed continues to thrive in his bullpen role, as he kept the Bees in check for two innings and struck out three batters. Closer Yao-Lin Wang was able to pick up his second save after striking out two in the ninth inning.

Six hits were all that the Chiefs were able to manage, but they also received good situational hitting from Taiwan Easterling and Taylor Davis, whose sacrifice flies scored Peoria's only runs. Anthony Giansanti was 2-for-4, while Pin-Chieh Chen was 1-for-3 and a run scored.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

It was some fun in the sun on Tuesday's get-away day, as Peoria was able to scratch out a 2-0 victory over Burlington. Zeke DeVoss had a coming out party of sorts, as he was 2-for-2 with two walks and four stolen bases, scoring both runs for the Chiefs. Taiwan Easterling was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Taylor Davis was 2-for-4 including a triple.

Gerardo Concepcion was able to get out of the first inning unscored upon for the first time in his professional career, as he tossed six innings and struck out three batters. Ben Wells also struck out three as he earned a save the hard way by pitching three scoreless innings.

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High Class-A - Daytona Cubs (14-22)
For those who like offense, you could have left after the first inning of Monday's 2-1 over Brevard County. However, if you like pitching, this was your kind of game. Austin Kirk continues to shine, as he lowered his ERA to 1.75 by allowing only an earned run in seven innings, striking out five Manatees. AJ Morris and Tony Zych cleaned up, each with a scoreless inning as Morris was awarded a hold and Zych recorded his fourth save. There wasn't a lot of hitting, as Nelson Perez had two of the D-Cubs' four hits, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen Base. Arismendy Alcantara was 1-for -4 with two steals, while pinch-runner Elieser Bonne swiped his tenth base.

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Double-A - Tennessee Smokies (17-22)
With a rainout on Sunday, Monday saw Tennessee playing two against Jackson. The Smokies were all over the Generals in the opener, drubbing them 15-4. Logan Watkins (2-for-3, double, home run, two walks, four RBI) set the tone by belting a two-run homer in the first, with Junior Lake (2-for-2, double, home run, three walks, stolen base, RBI) aboard. Joining in the fun were Jae-Hoon Ha (3-for-5, double, RBI), Rebel Ridling (1-for-3, four RBI), Justin Bour (2-for-3, two doubles, two RBI), and Michael Burgess (1-for-4, double, three RBI). Starter Trey McNutt had his best outing of the season, striking out five in five innings while allowing two solo home runs. Brian Schlitter was assigned mop up, and gave up two runs, one earned) in the final two innings.

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Tennessee may have wished to save some of those runs from the first game, as they dropped the nightcap 3-1 to Jackson. Dallas Beeler went the whole seven innings and gave up three earned runs on two home runs, while striking out three batters. Elliot Soto drove in the only run for the Smokies as he was 2-for-3.

With an off-day on Wednesday, the Smokies decided to clear out their bullpen in order to secure a 10-8 victory over Jackson on Tuesday. Dae-Eun Rhee started and was the victim of some shoddy defense, including two of his own errors, as he allowed six runs (two earned) in four innings. Jeffry Antigua gave up two earned runs in an inning of work, but the scoring stopped there. Three pitchers combined to put up zeroes the rest of the way, as Marcus Hatley pitched an inning, Casey Weathers tossed two and ended up with the win, and Alberto Cabrera closed things out for his second save.

The Smokies recaptured some of the thunder they displayed in game one the previous day, as Junior Lake was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. James Adduci also drove in three on two doubles as he was 2-for-3. Slugging his sixth homer of the season, Justin Bour was 2-for-4, including a double. Matt Cerda was also 2-for-5.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

Triple-A - Iowa Cubs (17-21)
Iowa nearly threw away a gem on Sunday, but was able to hold on to a 4-3 victory over Sacramento. Chris Rusin had another great outing, striking seven while holding the River Cats scoreless over eight innings. Scott Maine was called on to finish things up, but got into trouble and gave up three earned runs in 0.1 innings. Blake Parker was able to put down the rally and ended up with his fifth save.

Lining up at DH, Anthony Rizzo hit two doubles, and was 3-for-4 for the afternoon. However, it was Ty Wright that ended up coming through, as he drove in two with his second homer of the season, while going 2-for-4. Blake Lalli (1-for-4, double) came home on Wright's blast, while Luis Valbuena's sacrifice fly scored Matt Tolbert (1-for-4) in the eighth with what proved to be the winning run.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

Some struggling pitchers were able to put things together on Monday, as they were able to stave off Sacramento 3-1. Rodrigo Lopez is what he is, a spot starter/long relief man who can give you a few good innings, like he was able to this night. Lopez went five innings and struck four as he allowed an earned run. Demoted Jay Jackson was also able to post four strikeouts, as he held the River Cats scoreless for two innings. Nate Robertson had struggled this season, but had it going as he held Sacramento without a run, while Scott Maine picked up a save as he shut them down in the ninth.

The longball was the key for the Iowa offense, as Anthony Rizzo (1-for-4) put the I-Cubs on the board with a solo shot in the first. Blake Lalli (1-for-4) was able to put Iowa ahead for good as he led off the fifth with his own home run. Alfredo Amezaga (1-for-4) added the clincher as he drove in Ty Wright (1-for-4). Luis Valbuena was also 2-for-4.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

With a travel day on Wednesday, Iowa had an afternoon start on Tuesday, and looked like they were more concerned with getting on the road than the game in their 9-4 loss to Sacramento. Randy Wells had a couple of good outings in his previous two games. But on Tuesday, he looked like, well, Randy Wells as he surrendered seven earned runs in five innings while striking out five in the process. Manny Corpas sat down the River Cats in order for an inning, but recently signed Mike MacDougal was only able to go 0.2 innings, a gave up two earned runs off four walks and a hit. Esmailin Caridad got the I-Cubs out of MacDougal's jam, while Jeff Beliveau struck out the side in the eighth. The lone shining star was Anthony Rizzo, whose two-run blast in the first gave him 13 for the season, as he was 3-for-4, including a triple. Alfredo Amezaga added his own homer in the eighth inning, bringing in Gioskar Amaya, who collected his first Triple-A hit earlier in the inning.

News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs signed RHP Mike MacDougal, who was assigned to the Iowa Cubs. Infielder Gioskar Amaya was assigned to the Iowa Cubs from Extended Spring Training. The Iowa Cubs placed IF-OF Jonathan Mota on the 7-day disabled list with a sore right elbow. The Peoria Chiefs recalled RHP Bryce Shafer from Extended Spring Training; LHP Willengton Cruz was assigned to Peoria from Extended Spring Training.

The Chiefs added LHP Hunter Cervenka and RHP Larry Suarez. RHP Bryce Shafer was sent to Extended Spring Training. The Cubs released RHP Charles Thomas. Blake DeWitt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa. Scott Maine was recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

CCO's Prospect Watch
Note: Outfielder Reggie Golden is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Replacing Golden on the list is the next highest player available in the fan vote: pitcher Tony Zych.

Javier Baez (IF) - Extended Spring Training
Jeimer Candelario (3B) - Extended Spring Training
Zeke DeVoss (2B) - .248, six doubles, triple, two home runs, 11 RBI, six stolen bases (Peoria Chiefs)
Junior Lake (IF) - . 344, three doubles, triple, home run, four RBI, two stolen bases (Tennessee Smokies)
Dillon Maples (RHP) - Extended Spring Training
Matt Szczur (OF) - .250, nine doubles, two triples, seven RBI, 16 stolen bases (Daytona Cubs)
Ronald Torreyes (2B) - .178, three doubles, two triples, five RBI, four stolen bases (Daytona Cubs)
Josh Vitters (3B) - .244, six doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI, stolen base (Iowa Cubs)
Dan Vogelbach (1B) - Extended Spring Training
Tony Zych (RHP) - 1-1, 3.320 ERA, 19.0 innings, 16 strikeouts, 4 walks, 1.21 WHIP, 4 saves (Daytona Cubs)

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No Relief for the Cubs - Cubs 2, Phillies 9

2012-05-17T04:06:27Z

Game Thirty-Seven - Cubs 2, Phillies 9
WP - Jose Contreras (1-0) LP - Shawn Camp (2-2) Save - None

Wednesday night's game between the Cubs and Phillies was tied at two going into the eighth inning. Matt Garza labored through a 6 2/3 inning start but allowed only two runs and kept his team in the game. Alfonso Soriano (1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI) drove in the Cubs' two runs with his second home run in as many games, a two-run line drive homer to left center in the fourth and gave the Cubs a brief 2-1 lead.

Carlos Ruiz broke the 2-2 tie with his seventh longball of the year with one out in the eighth off Shawn Camp ... then the Cubs' pen imploded in the ninth. The Phillies scored six runs in the ninth and turned a close ballgame into a blowout.

After the Phillies loaded the bases with no outs against the recently recalled Scott Maine, Michael Bowden gave up a two-run single to Ty Wigginton then a pinch-hit grand slam to Hector Luna.

Matt Garza admitted after the game that he is not back to full strength from his bout with the flu. Garza allowed two runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. If not for two inning ending double plays turned in by the Cubs' defense, Garza's final line might have looked a lot different. Garza could not put hitters away early, coupled with his yips, he ran up his pitch count and left in the seventh after throwing 107 pitches, 70 for strikes.

While the Cubs' pen was horrible again, the offense was a no show on Wednesday night. There were only two highlights in nine innings ... a two-run home run by Alfonso Soriano in the fourth and a 14-pitch at bat by Bryan LaHair that preceded Soriano's second longball in as many games.

The Cubs managed just three hits and no walks Wednesday night. Phillies' pitching retired the last 17 batters they faced. The Cubs did not manage a single baserunner after Soriano's homer in the fourth.

Bryan LaHair (0-for-4 with a run scored) reached on an error by Juan Pierre and scored on Alfonso Soriano's home run but his streak of reaching base safely ended at 32 games.

With Wednesday's loss, the Cubs dropped to 15-22 on the season ...

]]> Matt Garza came out throwing strikes and looked more like Matt Garza than in his last outing. Garza did not allow any runs but his fielding issues caused him to face one more batter than he should have in the opening frame.

Jimmy Rollins popped out to second (1-1 pitch) for the first out. Juan Pierre bunted right back to the mound. Garza fielded and threw a limp noodle to first. Pierre took advantage of the defensively challenged Garza and reached on the error. Pierre then took off for second on a 2-0 pitch to Shane Victorino. Soto's throw sailed toward the first base side of second. Pierre slid in safe. Victorino ended up grounding out to second. Pierre advanced to third and was stranded when Hunter Pence grounded out to third (2-2 pitch) to end the inning. It took Matt Garza 17 pitches, 11 for strikes, to get three outs in the first.

David DeJesus led off the bottom of the first with a double to the right field corner. Tony Campana dropped down a bunt on a 1-1 pitch. Campana did not get the ball far enough from Ruiz, who threw him out at first. DeJesus advanced to third with one down.

Starlin Castro continued his struggles with runners on third and less than two out. Castro foul tipped a 0-2 offering from Kendrick into Ruiz's glove for the second out. Bryan LaHair flied out to Pierre in deep left on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

Carlos Ruiz ripped Garza's first pitch of the second inning into centerfield. Placido Polanco flied out to left center (2-2 pitch) for the first out. John Mayberry, Jr. tapped out in front of the plate. Soto threw Mayberry out at first as Ruiz advanced to second. Freddy Galvis pulled a 0-1 pitch into the right field corner. Ruiz scored and the Phillies took a 1-0 lead. Garza struck out Kendrick looking to end the inning ... 34 pitches for Garza through two, 23 for strikes.

The Cubs did nothing in the second.

Jimmy Rollins lined a 0-2 pitch into right to start the third inning. Juan Pierre bunted a 1-1 pitch up the first base line. Garza fielded and threw the ball into the ground. Pierre was given a single and the Phillies had runners on first and second with no outs. Shane Victorino helped out Garza by blooping his first pitch to Barney in shallow right. Garza fell behind Pence 2-0 and eventually walked him to load the bases (3-2 pitch).

With the bags juiced and one down, Carlos Ruiz bounced into a 6-3 twin killing to end the innings. Garza threw 52 pitches in the first three innings, 36 for strikes.

Darwin Barney led off the third with a single to right (3-1 pitch). Garza got the bunt down and advanced Barney to second. David DeJesus flied out to deep left, Barney tagged and advanced to third on Pierre's arm. For the second time Wednesday night, the Cubs left a runner at third when Campana struck out swinging for the third out.

Matt Garza retired the Phillies in order in the fourth ... 68 pitches for Garza after four, 46 for strikes.

Starlin Castro hit a routine grounder to third to begin the Cubs' fourth. Bryan LaHair put together an impressive 14-pitch at bat that resulted in a routine fly to left. Juan Pierre simply missed the ball, it fell to the ground and LaHair ended up at second on the two-base error.

Once again a long at bat by Bryan LaHair paid dividends for one of his teammates. Alfonso Soriano lined a 2-2 pitch into the first row of the bleachers in left center. Soriano's second homer in as many games gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

Ian Stewart grounded out to short and Soto grounded out to third to end the inning.

After four, the Cubs led 2-1.

For the third time in five innings, the Phillies put the leadoff runner on against Matt Garza. Kyle Kendrick blooped a 1-0 pitch down the right field line. Jimmy Rollins fouled out to Castro near the Cubs' bullpen for the first out. Juan Pierre made up for his blunder in the bottom of the fourth. Pierre slashed a 1-1 pitch down the third baseline for a double.

With runners on second and third with one out, Shane Victorino punched a 2-2 pitch toward second and past a diving Matt Garza. Darwin Barney fielded the ball and threw to first as Kendrick was scoring the tying run. Victorino was called safe ... but replays clearly showed Victorino was out. The mistake cost Garza only two pitches because Pence hit a 1-0 pitch to Castro ... and the Cubs turned their second inning ending double play (6-4-3). Garza threw 83 pitches in five innings, 55 for strikes.

The Cubs did nothing in the fifth ... and Garza retired the Phillies in order for the second time on the night in the sixth. After six, Garza's pitch count stood at 97, 64 for strikes.

The Cubs went down in order quickly in the sixth.

Matt Garza started the seventh. Freddy Galvis tried to bunt and popped Garza's first pitch to Geovany Soto in foul ground. 'Little Babe Ruth' as Ron Santo used to call Mike Fontenot hit for Kendrick. In his second at bat in a Phillies uniform, Fontenot ripped a 3-2 pitch into right center for a single. Garza retired Rollins on a lineout to left for the second out.

Dale Sveum made his way to the mound and brought in James Russell to face Juan Pierre. Charlie Manuel went to his bench and sent up Ty Wigginton to hit for Pierre.

James Russell walked Wigginton on four pitches and Fontenot advanced to second with the go ahead run. Russell fell behind Victorino 2-0 before receiving a visit from Chris Bosio. Russell fooled Victorino on a 3-2 slider and struck him out to end the inning.

The Cubs did nothing against Jose Contreras in the seventh ... 1-2-3 on 13 pitches, nine for strikes.

Shawn Camp took the hill in the eighth and retired Pence on a fly to left (1-2 pitch). Carlos Ruiz did not miss the 1-1 pitch from Camp and put the Phillies up for good. Ruiz's seventh homer of the season gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Camp struck out pinch-hitter Pete Orr and John Mayberry, Jr. to end the inning.

Despite a long, 10-pitch at bat from Darwin Barney to start the bottom of the eighth, Antonio Bastardo sat down the Cubs in order.

The recently recalled Scott Maine started the ninth and the game got out of hand. Maine pitched like he has so many times for the I-Cubs this season. Freddy Galvis doubled to left to start the inning. Maine then plunked Mike Fontenot and walked Jimmy Rollins on four pitches to load the bases with no outs.

Dale Sveum decided he'd seen enough and went to his pen for Michael Bowden.

Ty Wigginton went with a 0-1 pitch and drove a single into right. Galvis and Fontenot scored ... 5-2 Phillies. With runners on first and second with no outs, Shane Victorino popped out to Castro in shallow left. The Phillies pulled off a double steal on the first pitch to Hunter Pence. The Phillies' right fielder popped out to Barney for the second out. Bowden intentionally walked Carlos Ruiz to load the bases with two down.

Charlie Manuel went to his bench and sent up Hector Luna to hit for Antonio Bastardo. Luna launched a 0-1 pitch from Bowden into the second row of the bleachers in left for the first grand slam of his career ... and the first slam for the Phillies since October 1, 2010 turned a close game into an embarrassment. Bowden struck out Mayberry swinging to end the inning ... and the Cubs went to the bottom of the ninth trailing 9-2.

Raul Valdes pitched the ninth ... and retired the Cubs in order. Bryan LaHair struck out swinging to end the game and his streak.

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

Chris Volstad is scheduled to face Roy Halladay in the series finale on Thursday night.

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Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Phillies - 05/16/12

2012-05-16T21:30:00Z

Game Thirty-Seven: Cubs (15-21) vs. Phillies (18-19)
Game Time - 7:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185/914
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Matt Garza (2-1, 2.56/0.98) vs. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 7.32/2.03)

Updated 7:09pm CDT - Lendy Castillo Placed on 15-day DL with left groin strain. Scott Maine recalled from Triple-A Iowa - Blake DeWitt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa

The Cubs open a five-game homestand today with the first of two against the Phillies. The homestand concludes Sunday after three with the White Sox. The Cubs split a four-game series in Philadelphia (2-2) a little over two weeks ago.

The Phillies are still without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley but are playing better ball of late. Philadelphia has crept to within a game of .500.

Tonight is a rematch of the game back on April 29 between Matt Garza and Kyle Kendrick. The Cubs won the game 5-1 behind Garza's seven shutout innings. Vance Worley was originally scheduled to start tonight's opener but was scratched late Tuesday afternoon with elbow soreness. The Cubs will miss Cliff Lee and will face Roy Halladay on Thursday night. Chris Volstad is scheduled to take the ball for the Cubs, in what could be one of his last starts unless he starts avoiding the one-bad inning.

In other news ... Steve Clevenger and Carlos Marmol played catch in left field during Wednesday's workout at Wrigley. The Cubs have not announced a timeframe on Steve Clevenger's return. When he is ready to pitch, Carlos Marmol will go on a minor league rehab before being activated from the 15-day DL according to the Tribune.

Updated 4:15pm CDT - Lendy Castillo might be placed on the DL prior to game time. The Cubs' Rule 5 Draft pick has a moderate groin strain and saw a doctor Wednesday. Scott Maine is with the team and would be activated if Castillo is placed on the disabled list.

Tonight all starts with Matt Garza ...

]]> An obviously weak Matt Garza lasted only five innings in his last outing against the Brewers. Garza made his first start in 12 days after battling the flu and losing nearly 12 pounds during the time off. Following the game, he said he felt fine but being back on his routine should help him leading into tonight's start against the Phillies.

Matt Garza ran up his pitch count as he battled to put the Brewers away and even with his struggles, Garza still allowed only one run on three hits but he walked a season-high five batters and struck out only three.

Matt Garza likes pitching at Wrigley Field and is 1-0 in three home starts this season with a 1.66 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.

Matt Garza beat the Phillies back on April 29 in Philly after holding the depleted lineup to one hit over seven shutout innings. Garza walked one batter and struck out 10 for the tenth time in his career. Garza is 2-1 in four career regular season starts against the Phillies with a 0.96 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP.

Phillies Career Numbers against Matt Garza

Mike Fontenot - 1-for-3
Freddy Galvis - 0-for-2
Kyle Kendrick - 0-for-1
John Mayberry, Jr. - 0-for-1
Laynce Nix - 0-for-2
Hunter Pence - 4-for-13 with a walk
Juan Pierre - 1-for-8 with a walk
Placido Polanco - 2-for-14
Jimmy Rollins - 2-for-14 with a walk
Carlos Ruiz - 2-for-8 with a walk
Jim Thome - 1-for-5 with a home run and four walks
Shane Victorino - 1-for-11 with a walk
Ty Wigginton - 4-for-22 with a double and a home run

Kyle Kendrick has pitched in two games with one start since he faced Matt Garza and the Cubs on April 29. Kendrick rebounded from his outing against the Cubs and held the Nationals to one run on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Kendrick returned to the pen after his outing against the Nats and blew a lead against the Mets in which he allowed five runs on four hits with two walks and no strikeouts in an inning of work.

The Cubs put three runs, two earned, on the board against Kendrick on five hits with a walk. Kendrick struck out seven in six innings. In three career games, two starts, against the Cubs, Kendrick is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Kendrick has pitched only one inning at Wrigley during his career (no runs, one hit, no walks or strikeouts).

Cubs Career Numbers against Kyle Kendrick

Jeff Baker - 1-for-5 with a double
Darwin Barney - 0-for-4
Tony Campana - 1-for-3
Welington Castillo - 0-for-2
Starlin Castro - 0-for-3
Matt Garza - 0-for-2
Bryan LaHair - 2-for-3 with a double
Joe Mather - 1-for-1 with a home run and a walk
Geovany Soto - 0-for-1
Ian Stewart - 3-for-13 with a double and a home run

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ...

Limited Edition Ron Santo Hall of Fame Lithograph

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

John Hanley, in conjunction with the Santo Family and JDRF, has produced a Ron Santo HOF Limited Edition Print with a portion of the proceeds going to JDRF. Those interested in purchasing the print honoring Ron Santo can visit www.johnhanleyartist.com.

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Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 05/16/12

2012-05-16T05:30:00Z

Special Assignment - Peoria Chiefs v. Kane County Cougars

Recently, I had the pleasure of being able to cover the series between the Chiefs and Kane County. It was a pleasant addition to be able to meet some of the executives from the Cubs organization. I'd like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations for the Kane County Cougars, as well as Broadcast and Media Manager Nate Baliva of the Peoria Chiefs for their hospitality.

I'd also like to mention reporters Chris Emma of Northsiders Report.com and Mike Knapp of the Beacon News, who were my companions during the series; as well as reporter Larry Peterson of the Fox Valley Labor News, and Woodrow Carroll as they all made me feel welcome in the press box.

]]> Interview - Joe Bohringer and Oneri Fleita
Both Cubs' Director of Pro Scouting Joe Bohringer and Vice President-Player Personnel Oneri Fleita were in attendance for the series. I had a chance to speak with them over the course of the series, and they agreed to answer a few questions:

ChicagoCubsOnline: Have there been any prospects that have stood out so far this season?

Oneri Fleita: Our player of the month, Anthony Rizzo, has put up video game-type numbers in Triple-A. He's looked good defensively. He and Frank Batista stand out. Batista is a player that we've only had for a couple of years, and he's at Triple-A. He shows that what's most important is to throw strikes.

CCO: How about any surprises?

Joe Bohringer: Tony Campana did a great job for us at Iowa, and now he's up with the big league club.

Fleita: I like our pitching here (at Peoria). I've been impressed.

CCO: Do you see any promotions coming?

Bohringer: We'd like to see the rosters stabilized at this point. We're just coming around to 100 at bats for some players, and some players are just coming back from injuries or are just not ready yet.

Fleita: We try not to get too high or too low on any of our players this early in the season. Some players get off to slow starts.

CCO: Are there any players that are in Arizona at this time that have looked good?

Bohringer: Well, I haven't seen him since spring training, but Shawon Dunston Jr. comes to mind. He can hit leadoff, and projects to center or left. We currently see him as a centerfielder. He works hard, and I've had good reports on him. Is that okay to say (to Fleita)?

Fleita: (laughs) He hasn't given away any secrets.

CCO: Do you have any expectations for the upcoming draft?

Fleita: Well, that's Jason McLeod's job. All we ask is for good players. He's done a good job with that, and there have been some good players from the Dominican (Academy). (laughs) Just get us good players and we'll do the rest.

Side Session - Gerardo Concepcion
Recently signed Cuban National Gerardo Concepcion was throwing a side session before Wednesday's game. Here are some impressions:

Gerardo Concepcion has very long arms and legs, making him appear much taller than his listed 6-foot-2. He stands on the mound with his shoulders slouched back ... has a three-quarter delivery with a consistent arm slot. However, his release point seems to vary, which makes him appear as if he is nibbling rather than attacking the strike zone. Has no violent or deceptive movement on his pitches, but curve and slider break the way they are supposed to. He maintained consistent velocity throughout the workout (no radar readings available).

Photos
(click on images to enlarge)

Gerardo Concepcion

Wes Darvill & Zeke DeVoss

Marco Hernandez

Paul Hoilman

Jose Rosario

Brad Zapenas, Pin-Chieh Chen, & Taylor Davis

Scouting Reports
Here are my impressions of the performances of some of the Chiefs, in alphabetical order.

Kyler Burke - Pure power pitcher, 94 MPH fastball, 89 MPH change-up, 89 MPH power curve. Burke struck out three and walked two in 6.1 innings. Burke started a nifty 1-6-3 double play and was able to work out of a jam. Burke left the game allowing one earned run on a solo homer

Wes Darvill - Played third base for two games. Darvill has enough arm strength for the position, but would probably fit better at short or second, outstanding range, got tagged with some probably unfair errors on plays many third baseman wouldn't get to. Darvill takes a good approach at the plate and doesn't seem overmatched, despite the fact that he is only 20 years old and appears to be well liked by his teammates

Zeke DeVoss - Can see why many are excited by his ability. DeVoss is very raw at second base, but works hard at the position before every game. DeVoss can make plays that will cause you to rise to your feet, or shake your head. Can be alternate between being too deliberate or too causal in the field and has great speed and excellent acceleration

Taiwan Easterling - Does not look to have improved on defense since I saw him last season, but hasn't regressed. Easterling's throwing arm may be one of the best in the system, as he threw out four runners during the series. He has deceptive speed, as he appears to glide more than stride. Easterling's hitting seems to need a lot of work

PJ Francescon - Has a good mound presence and a sweeping curveball. The radar gun was not working on the night he pitched. Francescon's only mistake was an inside fastball that was belted for a three run homer. Francescon went seven innings, threw 81 pitches, six hits, three walks, five strikeouts

Marco Hernandez - A very slick fielder, with quick hands and reactions with more than enough arm strength for shortstop. Hernandez has very good range and elevation on leaps but appears to be a little overmatched offensively

Paul Hoilman - Seems very focused on his hitting, stays within himself, and takes what the pitcher gives him. Hoilman has good agility and a better fielder at first than advertised and seems to be a leader, whom other players gravitate toward

Luis Liria - Sports a 91 MPH fastball, 89 MPH slider, 81 MPH change-up. Liria was able to get off the mound quickly and tag a runner on a bunt attempt. Liria had a lot of poise, inherited runners in scoring position and left them stranded

Austin Reed - Works very efficiently, 94 MPH fastball, 89 MPH curve and worked out of a one out-runner on second jam

Yao-Lin Wang - Looks bigger in person. The radar gun not working on the night he pitched. He has a lot of drop on his curveball, works slowly and was missing down with his breaking ball ... not his best effort

Video - Player Sideshow
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From the Wire ... Cubs Receive PTBNL in Byrd Deal, Ink MacDougal to Minor Contract

2012-05-16T02:21:08Z

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer added two players to the Cubs' minor league system Tuesday. The Cubs received left-handed pitcher Hunter Cervenka as the player to be named later from the Red Sox to complete the trade for Marlon Byrd. The Cubs sent Marlon Byrd, along with cash to Boston, for right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden and a PTBNL on April 21.

The Cubs also announced they signed right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal to a minor league contract. MacDougal reported to Triple-A Iowa and pitched in Tuesday's game.

]]> The Red Sox selected Hunter Cervenka in the 27th round of the 2008 draft. The 22-year old lefty (January 3, 1990) has dealt with command issues and was 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP for Class-A Greenville prior to being dealt to the Cubs. In 15 2/3 innings, all in relief, Cervenka walked 12 batters, struck out 24 and allowed 17 runs, 14 earned, on 15 hits.

In parts of four minor league seasons, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Texan has a 6-19 record in 56 games, 23 starts, with a 5.97 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP.

Hunter Cervenka is expected to report to Peoria on Wednesday.

Hunter Cervanka's Page on Baseball-Reference

Mike MacDougal was released by the Dodgers on May 11 after a bad start with the Dodgers. After posting a respectable 3-1 record with a save in 69 appearances last season (2.05 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP, 29 walks and 41 strikeouts with 54 hits in 57 innings), MacDougal allowed five runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings this season with four strikeouts and six walks in 5 2/3 innings (7.94 ERA and a 2.65 WHIP).

Mike MacDougal (35 years old, March 5, 1977) made his I-Cubs debut Tuesday and allowed two runs on one hit and four walks with two strikeouts in 2/3 of an inning.

Mike MacDougal's Page on Baseball-Reference

There has not been any progress made on the compensation the Padres will receive from the Cubs for letting Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod out of their contracts.

Stay Tuned ...

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The Further Misadventures of the Cubs Bullpen - Cubs 6, Cardinals 7

2012-05-16T01:30:14Z

Game Thirty-Six - Cubs 6, Cardinals 7
WP - Jason Motte (2-1, BS 2) LP - Rafael Dolis (2-3) Save - None

The offense did their part and tried to complete the two-game sweep in St. Louis but Dale Sveum's staff could not keep the high-powered Cardinals from scoring. The Cubs had to settle for a split against the Redbirds and will limp home after a 2-3 road trip.

The Cubs had an opportunity to complete the sweep and led Tuesday's finale twice. Kerry Wood blew another lead (Wood has two blown saves, the Cubs' pen has eight blown saves in 14 chances) after Reed Johnson broke the 4-4 tie in the seventh with a pinch-hit RBI single. Wood walked two of the first three batters he faced in the seventh ... and the first one, Rafael Furcal, scored the tying run on a single by Allen Craig.

After James Russell surrendered his first home run of the year to lefty Matt Carpenter in the eighth that gave the Cardinals a 6-5 lead, Alfonso Soriano (2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two runs scored) tied the game in the ninth off Jason Motte with his first longball of the season (120th at bat).

But Rafael Dolis gave up a lead-off single to Matt Holliday (3-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three runs scored) in the ninth ... and two outs later, Yadier Molina (1-for-4 with a RBI and a walk) beat the shift and singled past a diving Darwin Barney into right for the walk-off win.

Kerry Wood, James Russell and Rafael Dolis each gave up a run in the final three innings of Tuesday's game.

The Cubs offense jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning before Kyle Lohse shut them down. Starlin Castro (1-for-4 with a RBI) drove in the game's first run. After Bryan LaHair (1-for-4 with a home run) grounded into a 3-6 double play that plated the Cubs' second run, Alfonso Soriano doubled and scored on a two-out single by Ian Stewart (1-for-4 with a RBI) ... but Paul Maholm could not hold the lead.

The Cardinals scored two runs in the first, tied the game in the second and took the lead in the fifth.

Bryan LaHair tied the game in the sixth with his tenth home run of the season (LaHair has reached base safely in each of the last 32 games he's played). Reed Johnson hit for Maholm in the seventh and put Maholm in line for the win.

After a four-game stretch of excellent starts, the Cardinals got to Paul Maholm again. Maholm allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings (106 pitches, 69 for strikes) and was hit pretty hard all afternoon.

The Cubs defense made several outstanding defensive plays ... and some not so outstanding as well. Ian Stewart turned in two more tremendous efforts that will end up on a highlight reel.

With Tuesday's loss, the Cubs are still searching for their first three-game winning streak of the season and dropped to 15-21 on the season ...

]]> David DeJesus led off the game with a single to center and advanced to second on a single to left off the bat of Tony Campana. Starlin Castro stepped in and ripped a 2-1 pitch back up the middle and into center. DeJesus scored and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead.

Bryan LaHair could not keep the line moving. With Campana at third and Castro at first, LaHair pulled a 1-1 pitch to first. Matt Carpenter stepped on first and threw to Furcal to complete the 3-6 double play. Campana did score and gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead.

Alfonso Soriano ripped a 3-2 pitch into center for a double and hobbled home on a single to center by Ian Stewart. Welington Castillo flied out to right to end the inning.

Paul Maholm was staked to a short-lived three-run lead.

Maholm retired Furcal on a fly out to center but Skip Schumaker reached on a single to center and advanced to second on Matt Holliday's single to right. Allen Craig ripped a double into right that plated Schumaker and cut the Cubs' lead to 3-1. With runners on second and third with one down, David Freese grounded out to second ... but Holliday scored and the Cubs were up by only one run (3-2).

Maholm walked Yadier Molina and put runners on first and third with two outs. Matt Carpenter popped out to Castro in shallow left center to end the inning.

After one, the Cubs led 3-2.

Kyle Lohse settled in after the rough first inning and retired the Cubs in order in the second.

Tyler Greene led off the bottom of the second with a double to right. Lohse bunted him to third and Furcal drove him in with a tapper to Barney. Just like that the Cubs three-run lead was gone. Maholm struck out Schumaker swinging to end the inning.

The Cubs did nothing in the third ... seven in a row retired by Lohse at that point.

Paul Maholm ended up facing the minimum in the third after retiring Holliday on a fly out to right (3-2 pitch) to start the inning. Allen Craig reached on a single to left (3-1 pitch). Starlin Castro made an excellent play on a ball off the bat of David Freese. Castro started the 6-4-3 inning ending double play.

The Cubs did nothing in the fourth ... 10 in a row retired by Lohse at that point.

The Cardinals just managed a two-out single by Tyler Greene in the fourth ... but his two-out single flipped the lineup. Maholm struck out Lohse swinging to end the inning.

After four, the game was tied at four.

Darwin Barney led off the fifth with the Cubs' first hit since the first ... a single to right. The Cubs' bunting issues were on display again when Maholm bunted the ball too hard and right back to Lohse. Barney was forced at second then David DeJesus grounded into the second 3-6 double play of the game to end the inning.

The Cardinals took their first lead of the series in the fifth. Maholm retired Furcal on a grounder to short and Schumaker on a grounder to second. Matt Holliday crushed Maholm's first pitch ... and an estimated 445 feet later the Cardinals had a 4-3 lead.

Maholm issued his second walk of the afternoon to Allen Craig after Holliday's blast before Freese struck out swinging on Maholm's 27th pitch of the inning for the third out.

After five, the Cardinals led 4-3.

Tony Campana and Starlin Castro both struck out swinging to start the sixth. Bryan LaHair cranked a 0-1 pitch from Lohse over the wall in center. LaHair's tenth dinger of the year tied the game at four. Soriano hit a routine fly to right to end the inning.

Ian Stewart took away extra bases from Molina to start the sixth. Stewart dove toward the line and threw out Molina from his knees for the first out. Maholm struck out Carpenter but walked Greene and flipped the lineup again. Lohse stayed in and grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ian Stewart and Welington Castillo grounded out to the right side of the infield to start the seventh. Darwin Barney reached on a two-out double and Reed Johnson hit for Maholm. Johnson ripped a 0-1 pitch back up the box and into center. Barney scored and gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Johnson advanced to second on the throw to the plate.

Mike Matheny went to his pen and brought in lefty Marc Rzepczynski to face David DeJesus. DeJesus worked the count full before grounding out to first to end the inning.

Kerry Wood started the bottom of the seventh ... and issued a four-pitch walk to Rafael Furcal to start the inning. After Schumaker flied out to center, Holliday walked and the Cardinals had the tying run in scoring position with one down.

Allen Craig tied the game with a single to right (0-1 pitch). Furcal scored and Holliday ended up at third. Freese broke his bat and grounded into a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.

After seven, the game was tied at five.

The Cubs did nothing against Marc Rzepczynski in the eighth.

James Russell struck out Molina to start the eighth. Matt Carpenter launched Russell's first pitch over the wall in right center and gave the Cardinals a 6-5 lead. Greene followed with a triple into the right field corner. Matheny then went to his bench and sent up Carlos Beltran to hit for Marc Rzepczynski.

After a meeting on the mound, the Cubs intentionally walked Beltran. Daniel Descalso ran for Beltran. Matheny called for the squeeze on the first pitch to Furcal. The veteran shortstop fouled off the bunt. With the infield still in, Furcal hit a 0-2 pitch toward third. Stewart picked up the ball and threw to the plate. Greene was eventually tagged out but the play took too long to develop and both runners advanced to second and third with two down. Shane Robinson hit for Schumaker and blooped a 1-2 pitch to DeJesus in right to end the inning.

Jason Motte started the ninth with the Cardinals up 6-5.

Alfonso Soriano went with a 0-1 pitch from Motte and drove the ball into the bleachers in right. Soriano's first homer of the season tied the game at six. Stewart flied out to left for the first out before Welington Castillo walked. After a weak grounder by Barney to third allowed Castillo to advance to second, Adrian Cardenas hit for Russell and flied out to center to end the inning.

Rafael Dolis took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied at six. Matt Holliday reached on a single to center to start the inning. Dolis struck out Allen Craig swinging. David Freese hit a grounder toward third that Stewart fielded and threw across the diamond from his knees to nail Freese at first. Holliday advanced into scoring position with two down.

Yadier Molina hit a 1-1 pitch past Barney and through the shift ... Holliday scored, game over.

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

The Cubs open a five-game homestand Wednesday night with the first of two against the Phillies. Matt Garza will go for the Cubs. The Phillies have not yet named their replacement for Vance Worley. Worley was scratched late Tuesday afternoon due to elbow soreness.

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Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Cardinals - 05/15/12

2012-05-15T14:20:00Z

Game Thirty-Six: Cubs (15-20) vs. Cardinals (20-15)
Game Time - 12:45pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185/914
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Paul Maholm (4-2, 4.05/1.08) vs. Kyle Lohse (5-1, 2.08/1.02)

Updated 11:07am CDT - Cubs Signed Mike MacDougal to a Minor League Contract

The Cubs short, five-game trip to Milwaukee and St. Louis comes to an end today with the finale against the Cardinals. The Cubs are 2-2 and have a chance this afternoon to not only finish the trip with a winning record but post their first three-game winning streak of the season.

During his pre-game show Monday, Dale Sveum mentioned he would likely give Bryan LaHair and Geovany Soto the day off this afternoon. Sveum explained that LaHair could probably use a breather ... but that was before Bryan LaHair went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, a stolen base and hit his ninth longball of the season.

Today all starts with Paul Maholm ...

]]> After his last outing, Paul Maholm became the first Cubs' lefty since Ken Holtzman in 1969 to have four straight games of six-plus innings and no more than one earned run allowed ... but he faces a tough task this afternoon in the St. Louis Cardinals.

Paul Maholm threw seven innings of shutout ball against the Braves in his last start. Atlanta hit into the shift seemingly all afternoon and Maholm surrendered just three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Maholm is an impressive 2-0 in his last two starts with a 0.69 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP.

The Cardinals have already had their way with Paul Maholm this season. In his second start of the year, Maholm gave up six runs on six hits in four innings to the Redbirds in St. Louis. Maholm owns a career mark of 4-7 in 16 starts with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP ... at Busch Stadium, 1-2 in four starts with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.

Cardinals Career Numbers against Paul Maholm

Carlos Beltran - 9-for-21 with two doubles, two home runs and two walks
Lance Berkman - 7-for-34 with a double and four walks
Matt Carpenter - 2-for-2
Allen Craig - 4-for-9 with two doubles and a home run
Daniel Descalso - 0-for-1
David Freese - 2-for-8 with a home run and a walk
Rafael Furcal - 9-for-22 with four doubles, a home run and a walk
Tyler Greene - 2-for-9 with a double
Matt Holliday - 4-for-26 with two home runs and three walks
Jon Jay - 1-for-8 with a triple
Kyle Lohse - 0-for-2
Yadier Molina - 10-for-30 with a double, a home run and five walks
Skip Schumaker - 0-for-3

The St. Louis Cardinals had 20 wins entering this series ... and Kyle Lohse is responsible for a quarter of those victories. Lohse has posted five wins in his first seven starts but has not completed more than five innings in each of his last two outings.

Kyle Lohse held the Diamondbacks in Arizona to one run on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts in his last starts. After posting a 4-0 record in his first five starts with a 1.62 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP, Lohse is 1-1 in his last two with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.

The Cubs picked Kyle Lohse in the 29th round of the 1996 draft then traded him to the Twins on May 21, 1999 along with Jason Ryan for Rick Aguilera and Scott Downs.

Kyle Lohse will make his first start of the season against the Cubs and is 2-4 in 13 career starts with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP ... last season, 1-0 in three starts with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Kyle Lohse

Jeff Baker - 1-for-5
Darwin Barney - 2-for-8
Tony Campana - 2-for-3
Starlin Castro - 2-for-11
David DeJesus - 8-for-16 with a triple, a home run and a walk
Reed Johnson - 3-for-9 with a walk
Bryan LaHair - 2-for-3
Paul Maholm - 0-for-2
Alfonso Soriano - 17-for-44 with three doubles, three home runs and two walks
Geovany Soto - 6-for-18 with three doubles and a walk
Ian Stewart - 0-for-3 with two walks

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ...

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Sveum's Cubs Drop Down a Win - Cubs 6, Cardinals 4

2012-05-15T03:46:43Z

Game Thirty-Five - Cubs 6, Cardinals 4
WP - Shawn Camp (2-1) LP - Mitchell Boggs (0-1) Save - Rafael Dolis (4)

Dale Sveum's Cubs somehow pulled out a win Monday night in a sloppy, bunt-filled game in St. Louis. The Cubs hit the ball all around Busch Stadium and tied a season high with 14 hits. The Cubs loaded the bases three times Monday night and did not push across a single run. In a game that was much closer than it needed to be, the Cubs finished the night 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.

Alfonso Soriano (1-for-4 with a RBI and a walk) broke up the 4-4 tie in the eighth with his first career hit off Mitchell Boggs, a bloop single to left that plated Tony Campana (1-for-5 with two runs scored, a sac but and a stolen base). The Cubs scored an insurance run in the ninth on a hit by pitch, two Cardinals' errors and a sac bunt.

The Cubs scored four of their six runs in the fifth and actually gave Ryan Dempster run support. Starlin Castro (2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored) drove in the Cubs' first run in the four-run fifth with a single and he scored on a two-run shot off the bat of Bryan LaHair (3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, a stolen base and a walk). LaHair has now reached base safely in the last 31 games he's played. Geovany Soto (2-for-4 with a RBI) drove in Ian Stewart (2-for-4 with a double and a run scored) for the Cubs' final run in the fifth.

Ryan Dempster finally received some run support but he could not hold the lead and departed with the game tied in the seventh. Dempster was very good once again through five innings. He worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the second and put together an impressive shutdown inning in the bottom of the fifth after his offense gave him a lead. The Cardinals scored all four of their runs in a long sixth inning off Dempster.

Ryan Dempster allowed four runs on nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts in six innings. Dempster threw 95 pitches, 63 for strikes, and he remains winless in his last 15 starts (Cubs are 3-12 in his last 15 games).

Shawn Camp picked up his second win in as many days after tossing two innings of shutout ball. Camp made three quick outs in the seventh (six pitches) and he pitched around a leadoff double by Allen Craig in the eighth.

Rafael Dolis earned his fourth save with a impressive ninth inning.

With Monday's win, the Cubs improved to 15-20 on the season ...

]]> The Cubs did nothing in the first against Jake Westbrook. The top of the lineup made him work but DeJesus struck out swinging (3-2 pitch), Campana grounded out to second (2-2 pitch) and Castro grounded out to second (2-0 pitch).

Ryan Dempster sat the Cards down in order in the first on 13 pitches, eight for strikes.

Bryan LaHair reached on an error by Matt Holliday to start the second but Soriano hit Westbrook's first pitch to David Freese ... 5-4-3 double play. Ian Stewart reached on a single to right center. Jon Jay tried to make a sliding catch but trapped the ball. Geovany Soto followed with a bloop single to left and the Cubs had runners on first and third with two down.

Darwin Barney fell behind quickly 1-2 but worked a walk to load the bases. Ryan Dempster hit a weak grounder to Freese, who stepped on third to end the inning.

Ryan Dempster labored through a long second inning and like Westbrook, he was able to get out of a bases loaded jam without allowing any runs.

Allen Craig singled to left to start the second. Dempster fell behind Berkman 3-0 before getting him to fly out to left center on a 3-2 offering. David Freese hit a grounder to short that Castro fielded and threw to second to force Craig. Yadier Molina hit a 1-2 bouncer back up the middle that clanked off Dempster's glove for an infield single. Skip Schumaker reached on an infield single to the hole at second to load the bases. Dempster struck out Westbrook swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end the inning. Dempster threw 40 pitches in the first two innings, 25 for strikes.

David DeJesus led off the third with a single to right. On a 1-1 pitch to Campana, DeJesus took off for second and was thrown out by a mile. Someone missed a sign and Campana made the second out with a tapper back to Westbrook.

Starlin Castro reached on a single to left center with two outs in the third. Bryan LaHair followed with a single to left and ran his streak to 31 games. Alfonso Soriano walked to load the bases with two down. Ian Stewart struck out swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end the inning.

The Cubs left the bases loaded in consecutive innings ... six left on base at that point of the ballgame.

Ryan Dempster mowed the Cardinals down in order in the third on a much-needed nine pitch inning. After three, Dempster had thrown 49 pitches, 31 for strikes.

After Soto hit a routine fly to center to start the fourth, Darwin Barney ripped a double down the right field line. Dempster grounded out to short, Barney advanced to third but DeJesus grounded out to second on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

In the second, third and fourth the Cubs left a total of five runners in scoring position.

Ryan Dempster struck out Craig swinging (2-2 pitch) to start the fourth. Lance Berkman pulled a 0-1 pitch past LaHair into the right field corner for a double. Freese tapped back to Dempster, Berkman held and Molina grounded out to short to end the inning ... 60 pitches for Dempster, 38 for strikes.

The Cubs finally got to Jake Westbrook in the fifth.

Tony Campana led off the fifth with an infield single to the hole at short, the Cubs' seventh hit of the game at the time. Campana took off for second on a 0-1 pitch to Castro. The Cardinals guessed right and pitched out. Molina double clutched and Campana slid in safe as the ball hit him in the back.

Starlin Castro blooped a 2-2 pitch over Furcal's head and into left. Campana raced around third and scored the game's first run.

Bryan LaHair stepped in and launched a 2-2 slider from Westbrook over the wall in right ... and the Cubs took a 3-0 lead on LaHair's ninth homer of the season. Alfonso Soriano hit a routine fly to right for the first out.

Ian Stewart notched his second hit of the game, a double to left center (0-2 pitch). Geovany Soto put together one of his better at bats of the season. Soto worked the count to 3-2 before lining a single to center. Jay threw all the way to the plate. Stewart scored easily and Soto ended up at second with one down ... but Barney flied out to center (1-0 pitch) and Dempster grounded out to third (2-2 pitch) to end the inning.

Ryan Dempster retired the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the fifth. After five, Dempster had thrown 68 pitches, 44 for strikes, and the Cubs led 4-0.

Eduardo Sanchez retired the Cubs in order in the sixth.

The Cardinals finally got to Dempster in the sixth. Jon Jay led off with a bunt single to third base side of the mound. Dempster fielded the ball but his throw was low and got past LaHair. Matt Holliday ripped Dempster's first pitch off the top of the wall in left for a long single. Jay ended up at third with no outs.

Allen Craig popped a 0-1 pitch into right. DeJesus caught the ball and both runners had to hold ... but Lance Berkman ripped a 1-2 pitch back up the middle past a diving Starlin Castro. Jay scored and Holliday ended up at third with one out. Dempster then issued his first walk of the night to David Freese ... and all of the sudden the Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out.

Yadier Molina smoked Dempster's first pitch into left center. Holliday and Berkman scored easily and Freese was sent to the plate. Campana threw a strike to Castro in shallow left. Castro made a perfect relay to Soto, who held onto the ball. Freese was nailed for the second out and came up bleeding. Molina advanced to third on the play.

Skip Schumaker worked the count to 3-2 before hitting a Texas Leaguer into center. A jubilant Molina trotted home with the tying run. Dempster struck out pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter swinging to end the inning.

Ryan Dempster threw 27 pitches in the sixth, 19 for strikes (95 for the game, 63 for strikes).

After six complete, the game was tied at four.

Victor Marte started the seventh for the Cardinals and Bryan LaHair greeted him by ripping his first pitch off Lance Berkman and into right field. Before a 2-0 pitch to Soriano, LaHair took off for second and made it without a throw ... Marte forgot about him. Soriano ended up checking his swing on a 3-2 pitch and hitting a weak grounder to second. LaHair advanced to third with one down.

Mike Matheny decided to intentionally walk Ian Stewart after Marte missed with his first offering. With runners on first and third with one down, Geovany Soto stepped in and struck out swinging on a 1-2 pitch ... another horrible at bat for Soto. Matheny had Marte issue his second intentional walk of the inning to Darwin Barney and forced Dale Sveum to make a decision about Ryan Dempster.

Dale Sveum lifted Dempster and sent up Reed Johnson to hit for him. Johnson's at bat was just as bad as Soto's ... and he struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Cubs left 11 runners on base in the first seven innings.

Shawn Camp sat down the top of the Cardinals order in the seventh on six pitches, all for strikes.

David DeJesus put together a good at bat to start the eighth. Mitchell Boggs jumped ahead 0-2, DeJesus worked the count full before ripping a single toward first that ate up Berkman and ended up in right field. Tony Campana dropped down a bunt in front of the plate. Molina picked the ball up, threw to second but his throw was low and nearly got past Furcal.

With runners on first and second with no outs, Starlin Castro squared to bunt. The incredibly bad call and/or decision backfired on the Cubs. Berkman charged the play, picked up the bunt, threw to third to force DeJesus. Freese then threw across the diamond and doubled off Castro. Castro was pushed back on the inside pitch but did not run hard out of the box.

Starlin Castro did his part to make it look like a bad decision to have him bunt in that situation ... but he should have never been placed in that spot.

With Campana at second, the Cardinals took the bat out of Bryan LaHair's hands and forced Soriano to beat them ... Alfonso Soriano was 0-for-9 in his career against Mitchell Boggs. After an intentional walk to LaHair put runners on first and second with two outs, Alfonso Soriano blooped a single into left on a 3-1 pitch and Campana streaked around third and slid in headfirst with the go ahead run. Stewart tapped a 3-2 pitch to the third base side of the mound, Boggs picked up the ball and threw to first to end the inning.

Shawn Camp stayed in and pitched the eighth ... and was able to preserve the 5-4 lead after giving up a lead-off double to Allen Craig.

Allen Craig ripped a 2-2 pitch into left for a leadoff double but had to hold at second when Berkman grounded out to short. David Freese popped out to first for the second out. Yadier Molina flied out to deep right center to end the inning.

Mitchell Boggs started the ninth by hitting Geovany Soto on a 1-0 pitch. Darwin Barney squared to bunt. Berkman picked up the ball and threw to Schumaker at first. Schumaker took his eyes off the ball and dropped it. Joe Mather hit for Camp and the bunt fest continued. Mather bunted back to Boggs, who threw to third to force Soto but Freese's throw across the diamond was off the mark and ended up down the right field line. Barney scored all the way from first and Mather ended up at third with one out.

David DeJesus and Tony Campana struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Cubs went to the bottom of the ninth with a 6-4 lead.

Rafael Dolis struck out Schumaker swinging to start the ninth. Carlos Beltran pinch hit for Mitchell Boggs and flied out to center (0-1 pitch) for the second out. And Rafael Furcal looked at strike three to end the game ... Cubs Win!

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

Paul Maholm is scheduled to face Kyle Lohse in the series finale Tuesday afternoon.

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Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Cardinals - 05/14/12

2012-05-14T20:30:00Z

Game Thirty-Five: Cubs (14-20) vs. Cardinals (20-14)
Game Time - 6:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WCIU, ESPN Monday Night Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187/914
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Ryan Dempster (0-1, 1.02/0.85) vs. Jake Westbrook (4-2, 1.76/1.07)

The Cubs open a quick two-game series tonight in St. Louis. The brief series between the two long-time rivals ends Tuesday afternoon with Paul Maholm scheduled to take on Kyle Lohse.

Dale Sveum's Cubs have split the first six games against the Cardinals this season (3-3) and after tomorrow they will not see St. Louis again until after the All-Star break (July 20 - July 22)

The Cubs might not be catching the defending World Champions at the right time. The Cardinals are coming off a weekend sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Carlos Beltran is red hot (.298/.406/.653/1.058) and hit his 13th homer of the season Sunday. The Cardinals also received a boost when Lance Berkman returned from the DL for Sunday's finale against the Braves.

Alfonso Soriano is still looking for his first home run of the season and the Cubs are looking for some power from the fifth hitter in the lineup. Dale Sveum finally got him to swing a lighter bat (32 1/4 ounce from 33 1/2 ounce bat) but with the way he was moving Sunday will Soriano be part of Sveum's starting nine for tonight's game?

Tonight all starts with Ryan Dempster ...

]]> It is safe to say Ryan Dempster is the best winless starting pitcher in baseball. While a pitcher's win-loss record is no longer the best way to evaluate a pitcher's effectiveness, it is the first stat many still look to and it would be nice to see Dempster with a number in the left-hand column. The last time Dempster posted a win was August 11 of last season and the Cubs are 2-12 in his last 14 starts.

Dempster held the Braves to one run over seven innings in which he did not have his best stuff. Dempster surrendered six hits and struck out seven with only one walk. Dempster has no record in his last two starts with a 0.60 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP.

Ryan Dempster will make his first start against the Cardinals this season. Dempster owns an 8-8 career mark in 47 games, 21 starts, with a 4.52 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP ... at new Busch Stadium, 3-2 in 15 games, eight starts, with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

Cardinals Career Numbers against Ryan Dempster

Carlos Beltran - 6-for-12 with a home run and three walks
Lance Berkman - 17-for-62 with a double, six home runs and 16 walks
Allen Craig - 0-for-3
Daniel Descalso - 2-for-4 with a walk
David Freese - 2-for-8 with a double and a walk
Rafael Furcal - 6-for-38 with three doubles and seven walks
Matt Holliday - 6-for-21 with two walks
Jon Jay - 3-for-15 with a triple and two walks
Mark McGwire - 3-for-9 with two home runs and five walks
Yadier Molina - 13-for-37 with two doubles and five walks
Skip Schumaker - 20-for-48 with four doubles and two walks
Jake Westbrook - 0-for-2

Jake Westbrook is one of the many reasons the Cardinals are in first place in the central despite all of the changes in the off-season. Westbrook has allowed more than two earned runs only once in his first six starts of the year and is coming off a very good outing against the D-Backs in Arizona.

Westbrook tossed seven scoreless innings in Arizona, allowed four hits with a pair of walks and eight strikeouts. Westbrook is 1-1 in his last two starts with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

The Cubs allowed Jake Westbrook to shut them down on April 15 (two runs, one earned, on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts in seven innings) and Westbrook is 4-2 in six career starts against the Cubs with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Jake Westbrook

Jeff Baker - 1-for-3
Darwin Barney - 2-for-11
Welington Castillo - 1-for-2 with a double
Starlin Castro - 4-for-16 with a double and a walk
David DeJesus - 7-for-26 with a home run and four walks
Ryan Dempster - 0-for-1
Reed Johnson - 5-for-16
Joe Mather - 0-for-3
Alfonso Soriano - 3-for-25 with a walk
Geovany Soto - 2-for-6 with a double
Ian Stewart - 0-for-2 with a walk

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Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 05/14/12

2012-05-14T05:01:00Z

The system closed out the week going 6-9 for a total record of 13-14. A rainout in which Daytona was leading 6-0 on Friday may have evened the record. While inconsistencies still plague the system there appears a light at the end of the tunnel. Peoria and Daytona are finally hitting. As Paul Hoilman, Taiwan Easterling, Rubi Silva, and Arismendy Alcantara aided some good pitching by Michael Jensen, PJ Francescon, and Eric Jokisch. Tennessee is still trying to figure things out as they only had Dae-Eun Rhee's outing to hang their hat on. Iowa twice had to deplete the bullpen, but veterans Randy Wells and Travis Wood hung in for two wins.

To see how things shook down, today's Down on the Farm Report will provide the answers.

]]> Note: Monday's report will cover games from Wednesday to Saturday. Thursday's report covers games Sunday through Tuesday.

Low Class-A - Peoria Chiefs (15-21)
Peoria's bats have been producing a little more lately, but they weren't able cash in on Wednesday as they lost 2-1 to Beloit. The Chiefs had nine hits, as Paul Hoilman extended his hitting streak to 22 games, a new Chiefs' record, by going 2-for-4 with a triple. Taiwan Easterling is also hot with a five game hit streak, as he was 2-for-4 including a double. Oliver Zapata was also 2-for-4. Kyler Burke pitched well enough to win, with some run support, as he allowed two earned runs and struck out four over 6.1 innings. Austin Reed held the Snappers in check for the final 2.2 innings.

Pitching again was the Chiefs' undoing, as the offense came up just short on Thursday in a 6-5 loss to Beloit. In what could be said to be his best outing of the season, Gerardo Concepcion still gave up five walks and two hits in four innings, allowing two earned runs. Willengton Cruz didn't do much better, also surrendering two earned runs in an inning. Fresh off the DL, Ben Wells struck out three in four innings, but allowed two earned runs. Rafael Lopez was the main man on offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while Marco Hernandez was 2-for-4 including a double. Paul Hoilman extended his hitting streak to 23 games by going 1-for-4 and an RBI.

After two close losses, Peoria was able to bounce back in a Friday matinee as they defeated Beloit 6-2. On the mound for the Chiefs was Michael Jensen, who was hammered for five runs in each of his last two games. Jensen returned to his early season form as he went 5.2 innings, striking out two and allowing an earned run. Sheldon McDonald continued the effort by tossing 2.1 innings, also giving up an earned run as he struck out two batters. Setting down the Snappers in order in the ninth was Jeffrey Lorick, who also had two strikeouts.

Peoria helped their pitching by putting up five runs in the first inning. Both Paul Hoilman (24 game hitting streak) and Wes Darvill were 1-for-4 with an RBI, Hoilman with his 13th double. Taiwan Easterling and Ryan Cuneo were 1-for-4, and Zeke DeVoss was 1-for-5. However, the day belonged to Yaniel Cabezas and Marco Hernandez. Both were 3-for-4, Hernandez driving a run in while Cabezas had two RBI.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

The Chiefs have been on the short end of several close games this season, but Saturday they were able to turn those results around in a 2-1 victory over Burlington. PJ Francescon was able to keep the Bees from swarming, as Peoria pitching gave up only three hits. Francescon tossed 7.1 innings and struck out four, giving up only an unearned run. Yao-Lin Wang finished up the final 1.2 innings for his first save.

Peoria got all the runs they would need in the third inning, as Zeke DeVoss (0-1, three walks) come home on an error. Wes Darvill (1-for-3, stolen base) then drove in Taiwan Easterling (1-for-4, double, stolen base). Marco Hernandez was 2-for-3, while Paul Hoilman had his hitting streak halted.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

High Class-A - Daytona Cubs (13-22)
Daytona stumbled on Wednesday night, as they only managed two hits in the 5-1 defeat by Charlotte. Arismendy Alcantara was the only D-Cub to solve the Stone Crabs' pitching, going 2-for-4 with a double. Zach Cates continued to struggle, as he allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out two batters. Joe Zeller was able to shutout Charlotte over two innings, adding two more strikeouts; but Scott Weismann gave up a solo home run in the eighth to put the game on ice.

The bats came alive for the D-Cubs on Thursday; unfortunately the pitching failed them as they lost 8-3 to Charlotte. All but one of Daytona's starters hit safely with Sergio Burruel leading the way at 2-for-4. Nelson Perez and Elieser Bonne each drove in a run as they were both 1-for-4. Dustin Harrington also had an RBI on a sacrifice fly. After two good games, Frank Del Valle had a rough outing, allowing five earned runs in five innings. However, Larry Suarez qualifies as one of the most disappointing pitchers in the system this spring, as he gave up three earned runs in an inning of work. AJ Morris and Tony Zych each had a scoreless inning, Morris with two strikeouts while Zych struck out one batter.

With a rainout on Friday, Daytona used a left-right combination to shutout Brevard County 4-0 on Saturday. Eric Jokisch was on top of his form, as he struck out five in six scoreless innings. Ty'Relle Harris put down the side in order in his inning, as did Scott Weismann. Tony Zych gave up a hit and a walk, but struck out two batters to finish the Manatees.

It hurt's with two out, especially in the fifth inning when Daytona put across three runs. Elieser Bonne (2-for-3) led off with a single and was still there two outs later, until Rubi Silva (2-for-4, RBI) drove him in. Silva then came home on a single by Arismendy Alcantara (2-for-4, RBI, stolen base). A fielding error on a ball hit by Nelson Perez plated Alcantara. Alcantara would also score an insurance run in the eighth, as Richard Jones (2-for-3, two doubles, RBI) doubled him home.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

Double-A - Tennessee Smokies (15-22)
Tennessee didn't appear ready for a noon start, or an hour and a half rain delay, as they slogged their way through a 4-1 loss to Birmingham on Wednesday. Dallas Beeler got the starting nod and pitched okay, allowing three earned runs and striking out two batters is 4.2 innings. Casey Harman took over and kept the Barons off the board for 2.1 innings as he struck out two batters. However, Alberto Cabrera let Birmingham tack on an insurance run as he served up a gopher ball in the eighth inning. The Smokies' bats were relatively silent, with Logan Watkins coming back from some rest to go 3-for-4 with a double. Michael Burgess singled in Matt Cerda for Tennessee's only run.

The Smokies received a gem of a pitching performance from Dae-Eun Rhee on Thursday, as they defeated Birmingham 4-1. Rhee got on one of those hot streaks he was famous for in Daytona's championship run last season, striking out four and allowing only an unearned run in 7.2 innings. Brian Schlitter cleaned up the Barons, with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings to record his first save.

Nate Samson (1-for-4, double, two RBI) drove in two with a double in the second inning gave the Smokies the lead for good. Tennessee scored again in the fourth as Luis Flores (1-for-4, RBI) singled in Matt Cerda (1-for-2, two walks). They added an insurance run in the eighth as Logan Watkins (1-for-2) scored on a groundout.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

It seems like a broken record, but Tennessee pitched well enough to win on Friday, but lost 2-1 to Jackson because they couldn't hit. Brooks Raley had seven strikeouts in seven innings, but allowed two earned runs. Marcus Hatley continued to baffle the Generals, striking out three in two scoreless innings. The lone batter to solve Jackson pitching was Nate Samson, who was 3-for-4 for the evening. Justin Bour (1-for-4, double) doubled in Jae-Hoon Ha (1-for-4) for the Smokies only score.

Tennessee had a rude welcome home from the division leading Jackson Generals, as they lost to their intrastate rivals 9-2. Nick Struck served up two home runs to account for three of his four earned runs in 5.2 innings. Ryan Searle also let loose a gopher ball, as he allowed four earned runs in 1.1 innings. Alberto Cabrera let the Generals tack on another earned run in the eighth; while Kevin Rhoderick remained the only Smokie pitcher unscathed, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. There wasn't much to say about Tennessee's offense, as Justin Bour was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Michael Burgess was also 2-for-4, including a double.

Triple-A - Iowa Cubs (15-20)
Iowa put on a late rally on Wednesday, scoring six runs in the eighth inning, but pitching was not able to put Fresno away as the I-Cubs ended up losing 8-7. Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3, home run, two RBI) was the catalyst again, as his tenth home run, a two-run blast, put Iowa in the lead. Pinch-hitter Jonathan Mota added a three-run homer to pad the lead. Blake Lalli also drove in two runs, as he was 1-for-4 with a double. Joining the hit parade was Luis Valbuena, as he was 2-for-3 including a double. Starter Rodrigo Lopez spotted the Grizzlies two earned runs, as he struck out three in three innings. Frankie De La Cruz held serve for three innings, and Jeff Beliveau followed with another scoreless inning. However, Frank Batista was hammered for three runs (two earned) without recording an out, Scott Maine didn't fare much better, allowing three earned runs, letting the game slip away in his 1.1 innings.

The I-Cubs' veteran pitchers bear most of the blame for their sub-par season. However, three came through on Thursday as Iowa blitzed Fresno 10-1. Randy Wells put forth his best effort of the season, allowing an earned run and striking out two batters in six innings. Beleaguered lefty Nate Robertson had two strikeouts of his own in two scoreless innings. Esmailin Caridad finished off the Grizzlies, shutting them out in the ninth.

It took an inning, but Iowa batters teed off on Fresno pitching, with Josh Vitters leading the way. Vitters was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Luis Valbuena and Dave Sappelt were each 2-for-5, Sappelt with a double while Valbuena drove in two with his fourth home run. Juan Apodaca was only 1-for-4, but had a double and three RBI.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

After being in command for five innings, Iowa nearly gave the game away on Friday but held on for a 6-5 win over Fresno. Travis Wood sailed through the first four innings, but wound up allowing three earned runs while striking out six in six innings. In a new role, Jay Jackson then came on and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, with three strikeouts, as Jeff Beliveau finished up for him in the eighth. Blake Parker had a rocky ninth, striking out a batter but giving up two earned runs. Parker hung on to collect his fourth save.

The I-Cubs staked Wood to a 6-0 lead thanks to Josh Vitters (2-for-4) who doubled, stole third, and scored the first run; as well as homering in the fifth inning. Anthony Rizzo also left the yard, as he was 2-for-5; and Ty Wright joined the fun as he was 2-for-3 with a home run. Juan Apodaca, who has seen resurgence in his bat since moving to Triple-A, went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

Click Here for Complete Box Score

A logistics problem brought about by scheduled starter Casey Coleman's promotion to the parent club left Iowa in a lurch, as they almost managed to pull off the upset in a 4-3 loss to Sacramento. The "bullpen day" had an extra stress, as starter Frankie De La Cruz had pitched three innings two days earlier. De La Cruz did what he could, tossing four innings and allowing three earned runs in four innings. The offense kept the I-Cubs in the game, as Alfredo Amezaga drove in three as he was 2-for-4 with a home run and an outfield assist. Luis Valbuena was also 2-for-4, while Jonathan Mota went 2-for-3 with a double. After a few rocky appearances, Frank Batista came on in the fifth to pitch two scoreless innings. Manny Corpas had it going for him that night. Corpas struck out five and he shut down the River Cats for two innings. However, Esmailin Caridad couldn't find the plate in the ninth, walking three and giving up the game winning single.

News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Casey Coleman from the Iowa Cubs. The Peoria Chiefs activated RHP Ben Wells from the 7-day disabled list; RHP Bryce Shafer was assigned to Extended Spring Training. The Peoria Chiefs placed IF Brad Zapenas on the 7-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder; OF-3B-C Anthony Giansanti was assigned to Peoria from Extended Spring Training.

Javier Baez (IF) - Extended Spring Training
Jeimer Candelario (3B) - Extended Spring Training
Zeke DeVoss (2B) - .248, six doubles, triple, two home runs, 11 RBI, six stolen bases (Peoria Chiefs)
Junior Lake (IF) - .238, double, triple, stolen base (Tennessee Smokies)
Dillon Maples (RHP) - Extended Spring Training
Matt Szczur (OF) - .250, nine doubles, two triples, seven RBI, 16 stolen bases (Daytona Cubs)
Ronald Torreyes (2B) - .184, three doubles, two triples, five RBI, four stolen bases (Daytona Cubs)
Josh Vitters (3B) - .268, six doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI, stolen base (Iowa Cubs)
Dan Vogelbach (1B) - Extended Spring Training
Tony Zych (RHP) - 1-1, 3.50 ERA, 18.0 innings, 15 strikeouts, 4 walks, 1.22 WHIP, 3 saves (Daytona Cubs)

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Cubs Pull Out a Win in Milwaukee - Cubs 8, Brewers 2

2012-05-13T22:18:07Z

Game Thirty-Four - Cubs 8, Brewers 2
WP - Shawn Camp (1-1, BS 1) LP - Kameron Loe (2-1) Save - None

The Cubs were able to salvage the last game of the series and end their 10-game losing streak at Miller Park in a game that was much closer than the final score. The Cubs scored in each of their last five at bats and turned a close game into what looked like an easy victory.

The Cubs first two runs came on solo homers by Ian Stewart (2-for-5 with a home run, a double and two runs scored) and Reed Johnson. Stewart's fourth home run of the year tied the game at one in the fifth and Johnson's first of the season gave the Cubs a brief 2-1 advantage in the sixth. Reed Johnson hit for Jeff Samardzija leading off the sixth and put Samardzija in line for the win but the pen could not hold the lead.

After Shawn Camp allowed the Brewers to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, the Cubs scored the go ahead run in the top of the seventh on a throwing error by Edwin Maysonet. Ian Stewart reached on ground rule double with one out and was awarded home when Maysonet airmailed his throw to first on a grounder to the hole at short off the bat of Darwin Barney (1-for-4 with a double, a run scored, a stolen base and a RBI).

James Russell was able to pitch around two errors in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the one run lead. The Cubs added two in the eighth and three in the ninth to blow the game open.

After not recording their first hit until the fourth, the Cubs scored all eight runs in the finale five innings and finished the day with 13 hits (5-for-13 with RISP, seven left on base).

The top of the lineup was very productive. David DeJesus (2-for-5 with a run scored), Tony Campana (3-for-5 with a RBI, a run scored and a stolen base) and Starlin Castro (2-for-5 with a RBI) were 7-for-15 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Despite being visibly hampered by his left knee, Alfonso Soriano (1-for-4 with a double and a RBI) contributed at the plate with a RBI double in the eighth that plated Bryan LaHair (0-for-4 with a run scored and a walk, reached base safely in last 30 games he's played) with the Cubs' fifth run. Geovany Soto (1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a RBI) and Darwin Barney notched back-to-back doubles in the ninth that kept Dale Sveum from using Rafael Dolis in the ninth.

Jeff Samardzija was sharp in his five innings of work. Samardzija allowed one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts on 91 pitches, 59 for strikes. The Brewers were able to work counts, especially Norichika Aoki (18 pitches in three at bats against Samardzija), and forced Dale Sveum to make a decision earlier than he might have considering how ineffective his pen has been.

James Russell and Kerry Wood pitched two scoreless in relief on Shawn Camp before Michael Bowden closed it out with the Cubs up big in the ninth.

With Sunday's win (4-2 on Sundays in 2012), the Cubs improved to 14-20 on the season ...

]]> Marco Estrada made quick work of the Cubs to start the game. Estrada sat down the top of the order 1-2-3 on 15 pitches, 12 for strikes. DeJesus (looking) and Castro (swinging) both struck out.

Jeff Samardzija came out throwing bullets in the first. Samardzija's fastball was consistently in the mid to upper 90s. Norichika Aoki led off with a single to center (2-1 pitch) and advanced to second on a hit and run ground out to second off the bat of Jonathan Lucroy. Ryan Braun grounded out to short and Aramis Ramirez struck out swinging on a 84 MPH splitter ... Samardzija threw his first two pitches past Ramirez (96 and 95 MPH fastballs).

The Cubs did nothing in the second.

Samardzija struck out Corey Hart and Taylor Green swinging to start the second (three strikeouts in a row at that point) then retired Brooks Conrad on a fly out to center to end the inning ... 1-2-3 on 12 pitches, eight for strikes. Samardzija threw 32 pitches, 22 for strikes, in the first two innings.

The Cubs went down in order quickly in the third. The best at bat the first time through the lineup belonged to Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija struck out on the eighth pitch of the at bat (3-2 pitch).

After Edwin Maysonet (pop out to second) and Marco Estrada (swinging strikeout) made the first two outs of the third, Norichika Aoki pulled a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner for the first triple of his big league career. Aoki ran up Samardzija's pitch count during the seven-pitch at bat. Lucroy popped out to a hobbling Soriano in left to end the inning. Samardzija threw 56 pitches, 38 for strikes, in first three innings.

David DeJesus broke up Estrada's perfect game with an infield single to the hole at short to start the fourth. Dale Sveum called for a hit and run on the first pitch to Tony Campana. Campana popped out to center and DeJesus made it back safely to first. Starlin Castro went with a 1-1 pitch and drove the ball into right for the Cubs' first clean hit of the game. Bryan LaHair smoked a 1-2 pitch back up the middle. The Brewers had him shaded perfectly. Edwin Maysonet fielded the ball, stepped on second and his low throw was scooped by Green at first for the inning ending double play.

The Brewers were able to push a run across in the bottom of the fourth after Samardzija walked Ryan Braun to start the inning. Aramis Ramirez lined a first-pitch fastball into left for a single. With runners on first and second with no outs, Corey Hart dropped down a bunt. Both runners advanced as Samardzija fielded the ball and tagged Hart for the first out.

Taylor Green pulled a first pitch fastball into right center. Braun tagged and scored, 1-0 Brewers. Aramis Ramirez stayed at second but advanced to third on a wild pitch. Samardzija struck out Conrad swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

After four, the Cubs trailed 1-0 and Samardzija had thrown 73 pitches, 48 for strikes.

Ian Stewart tied the game at one with his fourth longball of the season with one out in the fifth. Stewart pulled a 0-2 pitch off the facing of the second deck beyond the right field wall ... just the second time in 2012 a Cub hit a homer on a 0-2 pitch (Starlin Castro).

Stewart's homer rattled Estrada. The Brewers' starter walked Geovany Soto on four pitches but Barney hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning ... the second inning ending double play in as many innings.

Jeff Samardzija started the fifth by retiring Maysonet on a grounder to short (1-2 pitch). Estrada struck out swinging (2-2) but Aoki worked a walk after a long at bat (seven pitches, 3-2 count). Aoki took off for second on the first pitch to Lucroy. Geovany Soto threw a strike to Barney to cut down Aoki to end the inning.

Jeff Samardzija threw 91 pitches in five innings, 59 for strikes.

Dale Sveum hit for Samardzija to start the sixth. Reed Johnson made his way to the plate and lifted a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left. Johnson's fourth career pinch-hit homer gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

After DeJesus flied out to right (2-1 pitch), Tony Campana reached on a bunt single to Aramis Ramirez. Starlin Castro ripped a 3-2 pitch into right center that Corey Hart made an excellent diving catch in right center to save a run. Bryan LaHair then cranked Estrada's first pitch to deep right to end the inning.

Shawn Camp took over in the sixth and retired Lucroy (ground out to third) and Braun (ground out to second in the shift) but once again a walk hurt the Cubs. Camp issued a two-out walk to Aramis Ramirez then gave up a double to Corey Hart. Camp was ahead in the count 0-2, missed two straight then Hart dropped a 2-2 pitch into left that Soriano could not get to because of his bad knee.

Taylor Green beat the shift and drove a 0-2 pitch to the hole at short. Castro fielded the ball and made a strong throw to first but Green slid in head first safely as Ramirez scored the tying run. With runners on first and third with one down, Brooks Conrad flied out to left center to end the inning.

After Alfonso Soriano flied out to center to start the seventh, Ian Stewart ripped a 2-1 pitch from Kameron Loe to left center. The ball hit on the track and bounced over the wall for a ground rule double. Soto hit a routine grounder to short for the second out. Darwin Barney hit a 1-0 pitch to the hole at short. Edwin Maysonet fielded the ball and threw to first ... but his throw was high. The ball ended up in the stands and Stewart trotted home with the go ahead run. Barney was awarded second and took off for third on the first pitch to pinch-hitter Adrian Cardenas. Cardenas worked the count to 3-2 before striking out to end the inning.

James Russell retired Maysonet on a fly out to right then appeared to get pinch-hitter Cesar Izturis to ground out to third. But the ball clanked off Stewart's glove and rolled past Castro into left field. Russell had Izturis picked off first. Bryan LaHair took his eyes off the ball ... and it ended up behind first base. Izturis ended up at third with one out.

Dale Sveum brought his infield in at that point. Russell kept throwing strikes to Aoki then induced a grounder on a 1-2 pitch toward second. Darwin Barney moved to his right then threw to the plate. Soto caught the ball and tagged Izturis for the second out. With Aoki at first, Russell fell behind Lucroy 3-0. Jonathan Lucroy flied out to right (3-1 pitch) to end the inning.

Manny Parra retired DeJesus on a fly out to right center (3-2 pitch) to start the eighth. Tony Campana slapped the first pitch past a drawn-in Aramis Ramirez down the left field line. Campana settled for a single but advanced to second when Castro grounded out to short. Campana took off for third on the first pitch to LaHair ... and made it without a throw.

Bryan LaHair walked on four pitches and extended his streak to 30 games. Parra's first pitch to Alfonso Soriano got away from Lucroy and Campana scampered home with the Cubs' fourth run. LaHair then scored when Soriano ripped a 1-0 pitch into center for a double. With the Cubs up 5-2, Stewart stepped in with a runner in scoring position. Another Parra wild pitch allowed Soriano to advance to third but Stewart grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kerry Wood took over in the eighth and Joe Mather replaced Soriano in left. Ryan Braun reached on an infield single up the middle to start the inning. Braun stole second with Ramirez at the plate but Aramis popped out to right (3-1 pitch) for the first out. Corey Hart flied out to deep right. Braun tagged and advanced to third with two down. Green grounded out to first on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning. Kerry Wood put together a good inning.

The Cubs broke the game open in the top of the ninth against Vinnie Chulk. Geovany Soto led off with a bloop double down the right field line. Darwin Barney squared to bunt, pulled the bat back and ripped a double down the right field line. Soto scored and the Cubs took a 6-2 lead. Joe Mather flied out to left on the first pitch.

David DeJesus notched his second hit of the game, a single to right. With runners on first and third with one out, Tony Campana lined a 1-2 pitch into right. Barney scored, 7-2 Cubs.

Starlin Castro pulled Chulk's first pitch into left and plated DeJesus with the Cubs' eighth and final run. After LaHair struck out, Jeff Baker hit for Kerry Wood and walked to load the bases. Ian Stewart struck out swinging (1-2 pitch) to end the inning.

The Cubs went to the bottom of the ninth leading 8-2.

Michael Bowden made his second appearance of the series and retired Brooks Conrad on a fly out to left to start the inning. Nyjer Morgan reached on an infield single to second. Morgan hit a weak grounder to Barney that he could not make a play on. Izturis popped out to center and Aoki flied out to center (2-0 pitch) for the 27th out ... Cubs Win!

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

The Cubs open a brief two-game series Monday night in St. Louis ... Ryan Dempster is expected to face Jake Westbrook in game one.

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Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 05/13/12

2012-05-13T15:00:00Z

Game Thirty-Four: Cubs (13-20) vs. Brewers (15-18)
Game Time - 1:10pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187/914
Location - Miller Park, Milwaukee

Jeff Samardzija (4-1, 3.03/1.19) vs. Marco Estrada (0-2, 4.50/1.12)

Happy Mother's Day from the CCO!

Dale Sveum's Cubs will try to end their weekend in Milwaukee on a positive note today behind Jeff Samardzija. After basically losing two games Saturday, the Cubs have lost their last 10 games at Miller Park dating back to April 8, 2011. Carlos Zambrano beat Randy Wolf 7-3 on the second Friday in April with Carlos Marmol picking up the save.

The Cubs are 1-5 against the Brewers this season and simply have not found a way to hold down the defending NL Central Division Champs.

The Cubs pen should be back at full strength for today's finale after Chris Volstad and Casey Coleman pitched the eight innings in Saturday's loss.

Alfonso Soriano continued to struggle Saturday and appeared to be favoring his left knee in the seventh inning when he could not get to an eventual single off the bat of Aramis Ramirez. Soriano missed a couple of games last week and the Cubs' lineup might benefit from him being held out of today's game. The Cubs are trying to get Soriano going but in 28 games he has yet to hit one out of the park ... his longest drought to start a season.

In other news ... The MRI on Carlos Marmol's right hamstring showed very minimal damage according to multiple reports. Carlos Marmol might have to go on a minor league rehab before returning to the Cubs' pen. Reports indicated that Marmol could end up not missing much more than his required 15 days.

Today all starts with Jeff Samardzija ...

]]> Jeff Samardzija is coming off another excellent outing and his manager will need another similar outing this afternoon. Samardzija held the Braves to one run on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings. Samardzija has garnered a lot of compliments after his last two starts and hopefully he can stay focused and continue to get the job done.

After his dud in Miami, Samardzija has allowed a total of two earned runs in his last three starts and is 2-0 in his last two outings with a 1.23 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP.

Jeff Samardzija makes his fourth start outside of Wrigley this afternoon. He is 2-1 in the first three with a 6.06 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP.

Samardzija missed the Brewers in the first series of the year at Wrigley. For his career, Samardzija owns a 2-2 record against the Brewers in 15 games, one start, with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP ... at Miller Park, 0-1 in eight games, one start, with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Brewers Career Numbers against Jeff Samardzija

Ryan Braun - 4-for-9 with a home run and two walks
Brooks Conrad - 0-for-1
Corey Hart - 2-for-9 with a double and a walk
Cesar Izturis - 0-for-1 with a walk
George Kottaras - 0-for-1
Jonathan Lucroy - 0-for-2 with two walk
Nyjer Morgan - 1-for-5 with a walk
Rickie Weeks - 1-for-3 with a walk

Marco Estrada has taken the spot in the Brewers' rotation vacated by the injured Chris Narveson. Estrada started the year in Milwaukee's pen and has struggled in his last two outings.

The Reds smacked Marco Estrada around in the fourth inning and scored all five runs Estrada allowed that day. Estrada lasted seven innings and gave up five runs on eight hits with no walks and five strikeouts. The Reds launched two dingers ... a solo shot by Zack Cozart and a two-run shot by Joey Votto.

Today will be the first time Marco Estrada has started a game against the Chicago Cubs. Estrada has no record in five career relief appearances with a 11.37 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP (eight runs on six hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings).

Cubs Career Numbers against Marco Estrada

Jeff Baker - 0-for-2
Darwin Barney - 0-for-1
Tony Campana - 0-for-1
Starlin Castro - 1-for-1 with a double
Reed Johnson - 0-for-1
Alfonso Soriano - 0-for-2 with a walk
Geovany Soto - 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk
Ian Stewart - 0-for-1

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Another Bad Inning ... Another Bad Outing - Cubs 2, Brewers 8

2012-05-12T20:34:25Z

Game Thirty-Three - Cubs 2, Brewers 8
WP - Shaun Marcum (2-1) LP - Chris Volstad (0-5) Save - None

After putting together one of their better homestands in a couple of seasons, the Cubs felt pretty good before they began the three-game series Friday night against the Brewers. Twenty-two innings later, the Cubs lost for the second time on Saturday at Miller Park and dropped their tenth in a row at the Brewers' home park.

Chris Volstad was very solid for five innings at Miller Park on Saturday afternoon but once again Volstad completed six innings of work ... and it was the sixth inning that was Volstad's undoing.

The game was tied at one entering the bottom of the sixth. The Brewers proceeded to put up five runs with the biggest blow coming off the bat of Edwin Maysonet. The career minor leaguer hit the first grand slam of his big league career and just his second Major League home run off Volstad after he intentionally walked Travis Ishikawa to load the bases. The Cubs' bad defense gave the Brewers an extra out in the sixth, Milwaukee took full advantage and put the game away.

Chris Volstad was shaky, but effective in the first five innings on a day his team needed him to step up. Volstad allowed one run in the first five on 62 pitches, 40 for strikes. Volstad hit the mental wall in the sixth and surrendered the five runs on 37 pitches, 23 for strikes. Chris Volstad allowed six runs, all earned, on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout in six innings.

Casey Coleman kept the Brewers off the board in seventh but the Brewers took batting practice off Coleman in the eighth and turned an ugly game into an embarrassment. Coleman allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and no strikeouts in his two innings of work. Coleman threw 46 pitches, 28 for strikes.

The Cubs offense was non existent against Shaun Marcum. Marcum improved to 4-0 in four career starts against the Cubs by allowing one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts in seven innings. The Cubs managed only one hit after the first and the only run scored when Starlin Castro (0-for-4) grounded into a 5-4-3 double play in the first inning.

Adrian Cardenas (1-for-1 with a double and a run scored) doubled to start the eighth, his first big league hit. Tony Campana (2-for-4 with a double and a RBI) doubled in Cardenas with the Cubs second run.

The Cubs looked tired Saturday afternoon and for one of the few times this season they looked defeated after Chris Volstad was slammed in the sixth.

With Saturday's loss, the Cubs dropped to 13-20 on the season ...

]]> With the roof open for the second game in a row, David DeJesus started the game with a double past Braun into left center. Tony Campana dropped a perfect bunt toward Ramirez on the first pitch. Ramirez fielded the ball but never made a throw. DeJesus advanced to third on the play.

Starlin Castro put the ball in play but it was a poor at bat. Castro tried to pull a 0-1 pitch on the outside part of the plate. Instead of driving the ball to right, Castro rolled over and pulled the pitch to third. Aramis Ramirez started the around the horn double play. DeJesus scored and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead. Bryan LaHair struck out swinging to end the inning.

Chris Volstad made another two-strike mistake to start his outing Saturday. Nyjer Morgan fell behind 1-2 before he ripped a pitch past Soriano in left for a double ... it was Morgan's first extra basehit of the season. Jonathan Lucroy flied out to right on a 1-2 pitch. Morgan tagged and advanced to third.

Volstad hit Ryan Braun with the first pitch ... second consecutive at bat Braun was hit by Cubs' pitching (Lendy Castillo hit Braun in the back in the 13th inning of Friday's game). Aramis Ramirez popped Volstad's first pitch to LaHair for the second out.

The Cubs then allowed the Brewers to tie the game. Volstad did the old third to first move, Major League Baseball is actually discussing banning the move. Braun broke for second and Volstad actually had him picked off. But instead of forcing the play, Volstad allowed the Brewers to dictate the play. The Cubs paid attention to Morgan, who eventually broke from home and scored the tying run. Volstad should have run at Braun, forced him to make a decision and try to get the out before the speedy Morgan scored. The Cubs eventually tagged out Braun to end the inning (1-3-4).

Chris Volstad threw 10 pitches in the first, seven for strikes.

Shaun Marcum hit Alfonso Soriano with his first pitch of the second inning. Marcum retaliated for Braun, both benches were warned and Marcum went back to work. Ian Stewart hit a weak grounder to first (2-2 pitch) that advanced Soriano to second. After the struggling Geovany Soto fouled out to Ramirez, Marcum walked Darwin Barney on four pitches. With runners on first and second, Chris Volstad looked at a 2-2 pitch to end the inning.

Travis Ishikawa reached on a one-out double in the second, another two-strike mistake by Volstad. Edwin Maysonet walked to put runners on first and second for Cesar Izturis. Izturis hit Volstad's first pitch back up the middle. Darwin Barney charged, fielded, stepped on second and threw to LaHair to complete the 4-3 double play. Volstad tossed 25 pitches in two innings, 15 for strikes.

The Cubs did nothing in the third ... Marcum threw 43 pitches in first three innings, 26 for strikes.

Volstad threw the ball a little better in the third. Marcum struck out swinging (0-2 pitch) to start the inning. Nyjer Morgan grounded out to first (2-2 pitch) for the second out. Volstad made another two-strike mistake to Lucroy. The Brewers' catcher blooped a 1-2 pitch into right for a single. Volstad then fell behind Braun 3-0. After getting one over, Braun grounded out to Castro to end the inning.

Bryan LaHair (looking) and Alfonso Soriano (swinging) struck out to start the fourth. Marcum retired six in a row before issuing a two-out walk to Ian Stewart (3-2 pitch) ... the Cubs got the call on a check swing. Geovany Soto looked at a 3-1 pitch for strike two then hit a sinking liner toward third that Aramis Ramirez caught to end the inning ... 65 pitches for Marcum after four, 38 for strikes.

Chris Volstad put together his best inning and retired the Brewers in order (Ramirez, Hart and Ishikawa) in the fourth. Volstad threw 53 pitches in the first four innings, 33 for strikes.

The Cubs did nothing in the fifth ... 1-2-3 for Marcum on 11 pitches (76 total, 48 for strikes).

Volstad threw the ball well in the fifth against the bottom of the Brewers' lineup. Edwin Maysonet led off with an infield single to the hole at short. Cesar Izturis hit a 1-2 pitch toward first. LaHair fielded and threw to Castro at second but the Cubs could not complete the 3-6-3 double play. With Izturis at first, Shaun Marcum popped up the bunt attempt to Soto in foul ground. Nyjer Morgan popped out to Castro on the first pitch to end the inning ... 62 pitches for Volstad after five, 40 for strikes.

After Tony Campana (ground out to second) and Starlin Castro (pop out to right) made two routine outs to start the sixth, Bryan LaHair singled to left on a 2-2 pitch. LaHair's hit was the first for the Cubs since Campana's bunt single in the first and extended his on base streak to 29 games. Alfonso Soriano looked at a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

The Brewers finally got to Volstad in the sixth. Jonathan Lucroy ripped a double off the wall in right on a 3-2 pitch. Braun singled to right, Lucroy held at third with no outs. Aramis Ramirez hit a grounder to the hole at short. Castro fielded and threw to Barney with Braun barreling down on him. Barney rushed his throw and it was off line (homeplate side of the bag). Ramirez reached on the mistake as Lucroy scored the go ahead run.

Corey Hart smoked a 1-1 pitch off the base of the wall in left. Ramirez held at third on Hart's double. Volstad intentionally walked Travis Ishikawa to load the bases.

Edwin Maysonet lifted a 0-1 pitch high over the wall in left ... and just like that the Brewers took a 6-1 lead and ended the game. Volstad retired Izturis, gave up a single to Shaun Marcum then ended the nightmare of an inning by retiring Morgan on a fly out to center.

The Cubs did nothing in the seventh ... and for one of the few times this season looked defeated.

Casey Coleman, who left Fresno on a 4:45am local time flight, arrived during the game and made his 2012 debut in the seventh. Adrian Cardenas took over for Barney at second on a double switch. Coleman retired Lucroy and Braun to start the inning. Aramis Ramirez dropped a single in front of the hobbling Soriano in left. Corey Hart grounded out to short for the third out.

Adrian Cardenas led off the eighth and notched the first hit of his big league career. Cardenas ripped a 0-1 pitch into right center off Jose Veras. DeJesus struck out swinging but Tony Campana slapped a 0-2 pitch down the left field line. Cardenas scored the Cubs' second run on Campana's double. Castro hit a weak grounder to short for the second out as Campana advanced to third.

Travis Ishikawa led off the eighth with a double to right center (1-2 pitch). Maysonet popped out to Cardenas near the second base bag. Coleman gave up a single to Izturis that advanced Ishikawa to third.

Ron Roenicke called for a safety squeeze and the Brewers' pulled off their third squeeze of the season against the Cubs. Norichika Aoki dropped a 1-1 pitch from Coleman down, the Cubs pitcher fielded as Ishikawa scored the Brewers' seventh run. Coleman walked Morgan to put runners on first and second with two out.

Jonathan Lucroy proved once again how valuable it is to have a catcher that can hit and drive in runs. Lucroy singled to center (2-1 pitch) and drove in Izturis with the Brewers' eighth and final run. Braun grounded out to the hole at short to end the inning.

The Cubs did nothing in the ninth ... game over.

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to face Marco Estrada in the finale of the three game series on Sunday afternoon.

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Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 05/12/12

2012-05-12T14:40:00Z

Game Thirty-Three: Cubs (13-19) vs. Brewers (14-18)
Game Time - 12:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: FOX Saturday Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 89/914
Location - Miller Park, Milwaukee

Chris Volstad (0-4, 6.55/1.39) vs. Shaun Marcum (1-1, 3.41/1.24)

Updated 11:17am CDT - Carlos Marmol Placed on 15-Day DL - Casey Coleman Recalled from Triple-A Iowa

With very little time between the final pitch of Friday's night game that ended Saturday morning and the first pitch of today's game, it will be interesting to see how the Cubs respond to the extra inning loss in which they took a lead into the bottom of the seven and bottom of the ninth.

The Cubs will need a long, effective outing from Chris Volstad this afternoon. Even with the day off, the Cubs bullpen is depleted. Carlos Marmol is expected to be placed on the DL with a right hamstring strain. Scott Maine did not pitch Friday night and is expected to rejoin the big league team. But Iowa is on the West Coast and played in Fresno last night.

Rafael Dolis and Kerry Wood will likely not be available after tossing two innings Friday night. Dolis threw 41 pitches, 20 for strikes, in his two frames while Wood only tossed 25 (11 for strikes), he did complete two innings of work.

Geovany Soto will be back in the starting lineup and Tony Campana should be as well. David DeJesus and Ian Stewart were supposed to have Friday off but ended up with just as many at bats as a normal game.

Today is a rematch of the game back on April 9 in which Shaun Marcum beat Chirs Volstad and the Cubs.

This afternoon all starts with Chris Volstad ...

]]> Chris Volstad is coming off another bad start, statistically one of his worst of the season. Volstad allowed five runs, all earned, on four hits with three walks and one strikeout in five innings. It was the second time in six starts he had allowed five earned runs in a single outing (six runs, five earned, on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings to the Reds on April 20).

Volstad has been consistent on the road and at Wrigley. In two starts outside of Wrigley, Volstad is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Chris Volstad faced the Brewers at Wrigley back on April 9. Volstad had one of his better outings that afternoon. Volstad received a no decision after allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts in five innings.

In five career games against the Brewers, Chris Volstad owns a 1-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP ... at Miller Park, 1-0 in two starts with a 0.66 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.

Chris Volstad needs to put together a good outing this afternoon. He does not necessarily have to post a victory but he has to put his team in position to win the game.

Brewers Career Numbers against Chris Volstad

Ryan Braun - 3-for-14 with a double and a walk
Corey Hart - 2-for-11 with three walks
Travis Ishikawa - 1-for-3
Cesar Izturis - 0-for-2
George Kottaras - 2-for-5 with a walk
Jonathan Lucroy - 2-for-8 with a double
Shaun Marcum - 0-for-1
Nyjer Morgan - 4-for-20 with a home run
Aramis Ramirez - 6-for-14 with two doubles, a home run and a walk
Rickie Weeks - 3-for-15 with a home run

Shaun Marcum is coming off a quality start against the Giants in San Francisco. After tossing seven innings of shutout ball in San Diego (three hits, four walks and six strikeouts), Marcum surrendered three runs on five hits with two walks and threw strikeouts in six innings to the Giants. Marcum has two no decisions in his last two starts with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Marcum has pitched better on the road (1-1 in four starts with a 2.77 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP) than at Miller Park (0-0 in two starts with a 4.91 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP) this season.

Shaun Marcum has had his way with the Cubs during his year-plus with the Brewers. Marcum has one win this season ... and it was against the Cubs and Chris Volstad back on April 9. Marcum is 3-0 in three starts with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Shaun Marcum

Darwin Barney - 4-for-10 with three doubles and a home run
Tony Campana - 1-for-3
Starlin Castro - 1-for-10 with a home run
David DeJesus - 1-for-19 with three walks
Reed Johnson - 1-for-1
Bryan LaHair - 1-for-7 with a home run
Alfonso Soriano - 2-for-9 with a double
Geovany Soto - 2-for-8 with a triple
Ian Stewart - 0-for-5
Chris Volstad - 0-for-1

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A Wild, Ugly, Extra Inning, See-Saw Loss for the Cubs - Cubs 7, Brewers 8

2012-05-12T06:05:08Z

Game Thirty-Two - Cubs 7, Brewers 8 - 13 innings
WP - Vinnie Chulk (1-0) LP - Lendy Castillo (0-1) Save - None

Friday night's game between the Cubs and Brewers that ended early Saturday morning was a 1-0 game going into the seventh inning. Matt Garza gave up a run in the first after the Brewers loaded the bases with no outs. Randy Wolf made the one-run lead hold up through his six innings of work.

The game ended in the 13th after Lendy Castillo hit Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun to start the inning. Aramis Ramirez singled to right to load the bases and Corey Hart drove in the winning run with a single to center.

There will not be too many highlights from the ugly game at Miller Park that lasted five hours and four minutes. There were five lead changes and both managers used all of their position players and available pitchers in the marathon. The two teams scored a combined 15 runs on 23 hits with 21 walks, four hit batsmen and two errors ... and both teams had plenty of opportunities to end the game long before the 13th inning. The Cubs finished the night 3-for-13 with RISP and left 13 on base while the Brewers were 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 15 on base.

The Cubs finally got on the board and took a big lead with one swing of the bat in the seventh. David DeJesus (2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, five RBI and two runs scored) hit for Jeff Baker and launched the first pitch from Kameron Loe over the right field wall for the second grand slam of his career. DeJesus' first homer in a Cubs' uniform gave the Cubs a short-lived 4-1 lead.

Carlos Marmol basically gave the game back to the Brewers before leaving with a right hamstring strain. Marmol will undergo an MRI in Chicago on Saturday and is likely headed to the disabled list. After Marmol gave up a two-out RBI double to Aramis Ramirez that cut the Cubs' lead to 4-2, Marmol got ahead of Corey Hart 1-2 before he had to leave the game. Michael Bowden replaced Marmol, gave up a single to Hart, walked George Kottaras to load the bases then surrendered a bases clearing double to pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy that gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead.

The Cubs battled back, tied the game and took the lead in the ninth against John Axford. Axford blew his first regular season save since April 18, 2011 ... a string of 49 straight. David DeJesus tripled in Ian Stewart then scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch in which Starlin Castro (1-for-6 with a walk and a run scored) actually struck out on. Castro reached, stole second and scored the Cubs' seventh run on a RBI single by Alfonso Soriano (2-for-6 with a RBI and a walk).

Rafael Dolis blew his second save of the season after he gave up a two-run homer to Corey Hart in the bottom of the ninth.

Cubs' pitching came within one free pass of tying a franchise record for the most walks issued in a single game (15 on May 15, 1962 against the Mets in New York). The Cubs issued 14 walks in Friday's game and hit three more batters ... 17 free baserunners.

Matt Garza labored through his five-inning start Friday night. Garza made his first start in 12 days after missing time with the flu. Garza reportedly lost nearly 12 pounds and he appeared weak as he struggled with his command. Garza could not find a rhythm and allowed one run on three hits with a season-high five walks and only three strikeouts. Garza threw 93 pitches, 51 for strikes.

Welington Castillo (3-for-6 with a double) notched the first three-hit game of his big league career and finished the game at first base (Bryan LaHair moved to left in the 13th) but also showed how much he needs to learn in order to be a Major League catcher.

The Cubs have now lost nine in a row at what used to be labeled Wrigley North.

With Friday night's loss, the Cubs dropped to 13-19 on the season ...

]]> Randy Wolf made quick work of Reed Johnson, Jeff Baker and Starlin Castro in the first ... 1-2-3 on just 11 pitches, seven for strikes.

Nyjer Morgan led off the bottom of the first with a bloop single to center. Matt Garza jammed him on a 0-1 pitch but the ball fell in for a hit. Garza hit Rickie Weeks on a 2-1 pitch then walked Ryan Braun (3-2 pitch) to load the bases with no outs.

Matt Garza was more than struggling with his command and did not look anything like Matt Garza on the mound.

Aramis Ramirez helped out Garza. Ramirez swung at two pitches out of the zone and ended up grounding into a 5-4-3 double play. Nyjer Morgan scored and Weeks ended up at third with two down. Corey Hart lined out to Castro to end the inning.

Matt Garza threw 23 pitches in the first, 11 for strikes.

Bryan LaHair worked the count full to start the second but popped out to right for the first out. Alfonso Soriano hit a weak pop fly to right (2-0 pitch) for the second out. Joe Mather showed a lot of patience and worked a two out walk.

Welington Castillo ended a 0-for-11 to start the season with a single to left center (2-2 pitch). Mather advanced to third. Darwin Barney put together an 11-pitch at bat that resulted in a lineout to Ryan Braun in left for the third out.

The Cubs made Randy Wolf work in the second. After throwing just 11 pitches in the first, Wolf threw 32 in the second (43 total, 25 for strikes).

Matt Garza continued to struggle with his command in the second. Garza could not find a rhythm but was still able to retired the Brewers in order. Garza threw 44 pitches in the first two innings, 25 for strikes.

Jeff Baker worked a two-out walk in the third. Starlin Castro followed with a broken-bat bloop single to right. But with two on and two down, Bryan LaHair grounded out to first (first pitch) to end the inning.

Other than a one-out walk to Nyjer Morgan, the Brewers did nothing against Garza in the third. Randy Wolf struck out, Rickie Weeks flied out to right after the free pass to Morgan. Ryan Braun grounded out to short for the third out. Garza threw 63 pitches in three innings, 35 for strikes.

The Cubs did nothing in the fourth.

Aramis Ramirez struck out swinging to start the fourth. Corey Hart ripped a 0-1 pitch into right center. Hart ended up at second with one out. After Garza fell behind Kottaras, he walked the Brewers' catcher on a 3-2 pitch. Taylor Green hit into a 4-6-3 double play (0-2) to end the inning. Garza's pitch count continued to climb. After four, Garza had thrown 78 pitches, 45 for strikes.

For the third time in five innings, the Cubs put two runners on base ... and came away empty in the fifth. And it was another botched sacrifice bunt that kept them from tying the game.

Darwin Barney led off the fifth with a bloop single to right center. Matt Garza swung away and missed Wolf's first pitch. After a brief visit from Pat Listach, Garza fouled off a bunt attempt and then bunted through a third attempt.

Reed Johnson pulled Wolf's first pitch down the left field line. Barney held at third on Johnson's double. Jeff Baker had one of his worst at bats of the season. Baker struck out swinging on a 1-2 pitch. Starlin Castro grounded out to short (0-1 pitch) to end the inning.

The Cubs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six on base in the first five innings.

Cesar Izturis bunted the first pitch of the fifth back to Garza. Garza fielded the bunt but threw a one-hopper to first. Randy Wolf bunted back to Garza and advanced Izturis to second with one down. Nyjer Morgan pulled the first pitch to Barney. Izturis ended up at third with two outs. Rickie Weeks walked on four pitches.

Matt Garza lost his command and fell behind Braun 3-0. Garza threw a strike then Braun took Garza's next pitch for ball four.

Aramis Ramirez stepped in with the bases loaded and two outs. Ramirez hit a 1-1 bullet toward short. Starlin Castro backed up, fielded the ball and threw to Barney to end the inning.

It took Matt Garza 93 pitches, 51 for strikes, to get through five innings of work.

Alfonso Soriano worked a walk in the sixth after LaHair flied out to shallow left to start the inning. Joe Mather hit the first pitch to Aramis Ramirez ... 5-4-3 inning ending double play.

Shawn Camp took over in the sixth and retired Hart on a liner to Barney in the shift. George Kottaras walked then advanced to second on a bunt by Taylor Green. Camp fielded the ball, threw off balance and high to first base. With runners on first and second with one down, Izturis hit a lazy fly to center for the second out.

Travis Ishikawa hit for Randy Wolf with two on and two down. Camp tried to pickoff Kottaras from second. The ball ended up in center and both runners advanced ninety feet. Camp did not let his error affect him and struck out Ishikawa looking (0-2 pitch) to end the inning.

Jose Veras replaced Wolf and retired Welington Castillo on a routine grounder to third to start the inning. Darwin Barney followed and ripped a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner. Barney ended up at third with one down ... and the Cubs' trailing by one.

Ian Stewart hit for Camp and quickly fell behind 0-2. Veras bailed out Stewart by hitting him with the next pitch on his right foot. Reed Johnson put together a quality at bat and walked to load the bases with one out.

Dale Sveum went to his bench and sent up David DeJesus to hit for Jeff Baker.

Ron Roenicke countered and went to his pen for right-hander Kameron Loe.

David DeJesus launched Loe's first pitch over the wall in right ... and just like that the Cubs took a 4-1 lead. Starlin Castro flied out to center and LaHair grounded out to Ramirez in the shift (shortstop position) to end the inning.

Carlos Marmol took the mound to start the bottom of the seventh.

Nyjer Morgan pulled a 3-2 pitch to deep right. David DeJesus, who stayed in the game, made an excellent catch as he hit the wall for the first out. Rickie Weeks struck out looking (3-2 pitch) for the second out.

Marmol then walked Ryan Braun on a 3-2 pitch ... and the inning quickly got away from the Chicago Cubs.

Aramis Ramirez made up for his struggles early in the game. Ramirez went with a 0-1 pitch from Marmol and drove the ball to deep right center. The ball hit off the top of the padding and fell in for a double. Braun scored and cut the Cubs' lead to 4-2. Marmol got ahead of Corey Hart 1-2 ... then appeared to injury himself.

Welington Castillo went out to check on Marmol then called out Ed Halbur and Dale Sveum. Marmol threw a few warm up pitches after a short discussion. Marmol left and Michael Bowden made his way in from the pen.

Corey Hart ripped Bowden's first pitch to the hole at short. Starlin Castro got a glove on the ball and kept it from shooting through and into left. Ramirez held at third with two outs. Bowden could not find the strike zone and walked George Kottaras on a 3-1 pitch to load the bases. Ron Roenicke went to his bench and sent Jonathan Lucroy up to hit for Kameron Loe.

Jonathan Lucroy hit a 1-1 pitch into the right field corner. Ramirez, Hart and Kottaras scored and the Brewers took a 5-4 lead. Lucroy was thrown out at third to end the inning.

After a wild seventh inning in which two pinch hitters drove in seven runs, the Brewers had a 5-4 lead.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched the eighth and other than a leadoff single by Alfonso Soriano just over the leaping Cesar Izturis into left field, the Cubs did nothing against Rodriguez.

James Russell issued a lead-off walk to Izturis in the bottom of the eighth. Travis Ishikawa bunted Izturis to second. Brooks Conrad hit for Nyjer Morgan and flied out to left center (1-2 pitch) for the second out. Rickie Weeks struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Cubs went to the ninth trailing 5-4 ... and John Axford made his way in from the Brewers' pen.

Ian Stewart ripped a 2-2 pitch to the hole between third and short. Aramis Ramirez made an awkward-looking diving stop. Ramirez threw to first but his throw pulled Ishikawa off the bag. Axford struck out Johnson swinging (2-2 pitch) for the first out. Axford uncorked a wild pitch on the first offering to DeJesus. Stewart advanced to second with one down. DeJesus worked the count to 3-1 ...

David DeJesus ripped Axford's next pitch just to the right of center. Norichika Aoki took a bad route, the ball rolled all the way to the wall. Stewart scored and tied the game at five ... and DeJesus ended up at third with one out.

With the infield in, Starlin Castro swung at a pitch that bounced well in front of the plate. Jonathan Lucroy blocked the ball, which ended up in the field of play. DeJesus broke when he saw the ball in the dirt and scored the go ahead run. Castro ended up at first with one out ... and the Cubs ended John Axford's string of 49 straight regular season saves.

Bryan LaHair swung at and missed a 2-2 pitch from Axford. Castro took off for second and slid in safe. Alfonso Soriano blooped a 1-1 pitch into center. Castro scored and gave the Cubs a 7-5 lead. Roenicke decided he'd seen enough and went to his pen for Tim Dillard. Adrian Cardenas hit for Russell and flied out to left (first pitch) to end the inning.

The Cubs went to the bottom of the ninth leading 7-5 ...

Rafael Dolis retired Ryan Braun on a deep fly to right (3-2 pitch) for the first out ... but Dolis walked Aramis Ramirez on four pitches. Dolis appeared to injury himself but was left into face Corey Hart.

Corey Hart launched a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left ... and tied the game at seven.

Edwin Maysonet pinch hit for Dillard and ripped Dolis' first pitch after the homer into left. To Dolis' credit he kept the ball down to Jonathan Lucroy and the Brewers' catcher hit into a 4-6-3 inning ending double play.

After both teams scoring one run in the first six innings, the game went into the tenth tied at seven.

Manny Parra started the tenth and gave up a double to Welington Castillo. Castillo ripped a 0-1 pitch over Braun's head in left. Darwin Barney walked and the Cubs had two on with no outs in the tenth. Ian Stewart went to the plate to bunt. Stewart got the bunt down on a 2-1 offering but it was right to Ramirez who threw to third in time to force Castillo. Reed Johnson hit Parra's first pitch to Ishikawa. Stewart was forced at second. With runners on first and second with two down, David DeJesus struck out swinging to end the inning.

Rafael Dolis labored through the bottom of the tenth but was able to escape a jam with a little help from Cesar Izturis. Dolis walked Izturis to start the inning. Ishikawa bunted him to second. Aoki then hit a 1-1 pitch toward third. Stewart fielded the ball and tagged Izturis as he tried to advance to third. With Aoki at first, Weeks grounded out to second to end the inning.

Manny Parra walked Starlin Castro to start the 11th. Bryan LaHair struck out swinging against the lefty. With Soriano at the plate, Parra picked Castro off first ... and Soriano struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ryan Braun walked for the fourth time in the game to start the 11th. Kerry Wood could not find the strike zone and walked Aramis Ramirez on four pitches. Wood missed on his first pitch to Corey Hart (nine straight balls for Wood to start the inning) then threw two straight strikes. Hart hit the 1-2 pitch from Wood off the end of his bat and flied out to left for the first out.

Zack Greinke hit for Manny Parra and hit Wood's first pitch to Barney ... 4-6-3 inning ending double play.

The game went to the 12th tied at seven.

Vinnie Chulk struck out Kerry Wood to start the 12th in his first at bat since 2007. Welington Castillo notched his third hit of the game, a single to center. Barney hit a weak grounder to third that advanced Castillo into scoring position. Ian Stewart smoked a 2-2 pitch toward second that Weeks snared on one-hop and threw to first to end the inning.

Kerry Wood walked Jonathan Lucroy to start the 12th. Izturis popped up a sac bunt attempt. Wood caught the ball then stuck out Ishikawa swinging for the second out. Aoki popped up the first pitch to Barney to end the 12th.

Reed Johnson led off the 13th with a single to center. David DeJesus popped up a sac bunt attempt for the first out. Castro hit a weak grounder to short that advanced Johnson to second. The Brewers intentionally walked Bryan LaHair (LaHair has reached base safely in the last 28 games he's played) but Soriano looked at a 1-2 pitch to end the inning.

Sveum emptied his pen and sent in Lendy Castillo to start the bottom of the 13th inning with Geovany Soto taking over behind the plate, Bryan LaHair moved to left and Welington Castillo played first base. Castillo hit Rickie Weeks on a 1-2 pitch then plunked Ryan Braun in his back on the first pitch. Braun flipped his bat like he thought it was on purpose ...

Aramis Ramirez hit a 0-1 pitch into right to load the bases with no outs for Corey Hart. Hart hit Castillo's first pitch into center. Weeks scored and flipped his helmet as his teammates celebrated ... game over.

Box Score from Yahoo Sports

Chris Volstad is scheduled to face Shaun Marcum in game two.

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