The Cubs open a three-game series on Friday night (7:10pm CDT) at Miller Park after spending Thursday recovering from their seven-day road trip to the West Coast. And when the team takes the field Friday night, the offense will be looking to end a scoreless drought that dates back 20 innings from the seventh inning of Monday afternoon’s game.
The business side of the Cubs’ front office spent Thursday trying to explain why Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the team was not ready to meet with the Landmarks Commission.
And on the baseball side, the upcoming draft was the focus as the speculation continued on which player the Astros will select with the first pick. The Cubs first pick in last year’s draft went yard again while Iowa avoided history on CBS Sports Network’s first Minor League Game of the Week.
Wesley Wright and Blake Parker
The Cubs activated Wesley Wright from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned Blake Parker to Iowa. Wright was placed on the paternity list prior to Tuesday’s game in San Francisco so he could be with his wife for the birth of their daughter. Wright will be back in the pen on Friday night in Milwaukee.
Blake Parker was optioned back to Iowa after pitching a scoreless inning on Tuesday night.
News, Notes and Rumors
Dylan Bundy is one of the pitchers in the Orioles system that has been connected to the Cubs in a possible Jeff Samardzija deal. Bundy threw 50 pitches over three innings in an extended Spring Training game on Thursday. Bundy did not allow a hit, struck out four batters and walked three. Bundy said his arm felt strong but he wished his velocity was higher (91 mph, topped at 92 mph). He said he knows it will come back that it just takes time. Bundy is scheduled for four innings the next time out.
Junior Lake has had a good month and is making progress as ESPN Chicago pointed out. But he is still a raw talent that no one has been able to project, yet, what he will be in the majors.
Joel Sherman wonders if Manny Ramirez’s return could be a blueprint for Alex Rodriguez.
Minor News and Notes
Kris Bryant went 1-for-4 with a home run and a walk on Thursday night. Bryant has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games while hitting .484/.610/1.097 with four doubles, five home runs, 10 walks, eight strikeouts and a 1.707 OPS. In 52 games this season, Bryant is hitting .347/.451/.654/1.125 with 14 doubles and a league leading 16 home runs.
Arismendy Alcantara broke up Pat Cooney’s no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth inning Thursday night in Memphis. Matt Szczur worked a two-out walk that extended the inning for Alcantara. The Redbirds beat the I-Cubs 4-0 after Javier Baez struck out swinging to end the game.
Thursday’s Headlines
With the big league team not suiting up on Thursday, here are the headlines and links from Thursday to catch you up from the off day.
- Cubs Reportedly Scouted Hunter Harvey and Orioles Low-A Affiliate
- Wrigley Field Restoration Update: Mayor Says Cubs Not Ready to Meet with Landmarks Commission
- Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/29/14
- The Daily CCO: Renteria Thinks Samardzija Has Pitched Like an All-Star
- Cubs Draft Profile: Max Pentecost
- Manny Ramirez Planning to Report to Iowa Next Week
- Cubs Draft Profile: Tyler Beede
- Crane Kenney Discusses the Latest Issues with the Wrigley Field Restoration
This Day In Cubstory
1986 – Tony Campana, born
1983 – Jose Asencio, born
1983 – Jae Kuk Ryu, born
1972 – Manny Ramirez, born
1972 – Scott Eyre (Stevie Ire), born
1965 – Phillies purchased Lew Burdette from the Cubs
1963 – Ron Santo collected five hits in six trips to the plate. Santo doubled in the 12-0 victory over his favorite team, the Mets.
1956 – Cubs and Braves hit a combined 15 home runs in both games of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field, Bobby Thompson hit four.
1927 – Cubs shortstop Jimmy Cooney turned an unassisted triple play in the fourth inning. Cooney snagged a liner from Paul Waner, stepped on second to double off Lloyd Waner and tagged Clyde Barnhart coming from first base. Cubs beat the Pirates 7-6 in 10 innings.
1922 – Cubs acquired Cliff Heathcote from the Cardinals for Max Flack, the trade was made in between games of a doubleheader
1912 – Cubs acquired Tommy Leach and Lefty Leifeld from the Pirates for King Cole and Solly Hofman
1910 – Cubs beat the Cardinals 6-1 in game one of a doubleheader behind Mordecai Brown. The Cubs won their 11th game in a row before losing the afternoon game 3-1.
1906 – Jack Pfiester struck out 17 batters in a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals in St. Louis.
1888 – Bill Hutchinson pitched and won both ends of a doubleheader at Brooklyn 6-4 and 11-7. Hutchinson pitched all nine innings in each game.
1884 – Third baseman Ed Williamson became the first player in Major League history to his three home runs in a single game. The team now known as the Cubs beat Buffalo 12-2 in the second game of a doubleheader at Lakefront Park. Cubs won the first game 11-10.