The Mesa Solar Sox scored eight runs in their final two at bats Wednesday and beat Surprise 11-10 at Salt River Fields. And three Cubs’ prospects had their hands in the victory.
Mark Zagunis delivered a three-run homer in the top of the ninth, his first longball of the fall, and broke an 8-8 tie. Zagunis finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, four RBI and two runs scored.
Jeimer Candelario was Mesa’s designated hitter Wednesday and went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Candelario’s two-run double tied the game in the eighth inning. And Corey Black pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball. Black walked a batter but did not give up any hits. Black picked up the win. Mark Johnson and Willson Contreras were ejected from the game in the sixth inning.
In eight AFL games, Jeimer Candelario is batting .424/.441/.879 with six doubles, three home runs and a 1.320 OPS. Willson Contreras is hitting .286/.381/.571 in nine games with four doubles, two home runs and a .952 OPS. Mark Zagunis has a .263/.517/.474 line with a double, a home run, 10 walks and a .991 OPS.
Corey Black is 1-0 in five games with a 6.75 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. Black has allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
• Click Here for Box Score from Wednesday’s win over Surprise
MLB Awards
Several Cubs and broadcasters are in the running for Esurance MLB Awards. Click on this link and go vote.
Here is the list of Cubs and the categories they are nominated in:
- Jake Arrieta: Best Major Leaguer, Best Starting Pitcher, Best Breakout Player, Best Performance
- Anthony Rizzo: Best Everyday Player
- Kris Bryant: Best Rookie, Best Play on Offense
- Kyle Schwarber: Best Rookie, Best Play on Offense
- Joe Maddon: Best Manager
- Theo Epstein: Best Executive
- Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies: Best Call on TV
News, Notes and Rumors
• Dexter Fowler and Denard Span could be options for the Mariners in center field according to Jon Heyman.
• The Cubs have unfinished business and according to a report from Comcast SportsNet, Theo Epstein built the Cubs into a World Series contender in Year 4.
• Jon Heyman reported “the absolute baseline” for a David Price deal will be the $155 million contract that Jon Lester signed last winter. And Heyman thinks Price will “get much more than that.” Estimates and speculation have indicated Price will sign for between $175-210 million on a six-seven year contract.
• According to the Washington Post, the Nationals will name Bud Black the team’s next manager. Mike Rizzo decided to hire the former Padres’ skipper over Dusty Baker.
• Don Mattingly and the Marlins agreed to terms on a four-year contract for him to be the next manager in Miami according to Molly Knight.
• In a surprising development, Alex Anthopoulos stepped down in Toronto after not accepting a contract extension to remain the Blue Jays’ general manager.
• The Yankees’ Andrew Miller won the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award … and the Pirates’ Mark Melancon was named the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year.
• The Sporting News named its National League and American League All-Star teams Wednesday. And Zack Greinke “edged out” Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arrieta for the post-season team’s starting pitcher. Here’s the Sporting News NL All-Star squad according to voting by 25 National League executives: Buster Posey C, Paul Goldschmidt 1B, Dee Gordon 2B, Nolan Arenado 3B, Brandon Crawford SS, Bryce Harper OF, Andrew McCutchen OF, A.J. Pollock OF, Zack Greinke SP and Mark Melancon RP.
• The Sporting News American League All-Star team: Brian McCann C, Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis 1B, Jason Kipnis 2B, Josh Donaldson 3B, Xander Bogaerts SS, Mike Trout OF, Jose Bautista OF, Lorenzo Cain OF, Nelson Cruz DH, Dallas Keuchel SP and Dellin Betances RP.
And last, but not least, ESPN Chicago posted a reminder that RHP Jacob Turner was the second player the White Sox claimed off waivers from the Cubs in less than two months. Mike Olt was also claimed by the Sox and he continued to have issues at the plate. Olt was 16-for-79 in 24 games (.203/.267/.316) with three home runs, seven walks, 29 strikeouts and a .584 OPS.
Theo Epstein End of Season Press Conference
For the next several days, the reports on Theo Epstein’s end of season press conference will be included in the daily report. For those that have not read these, take the time to do so … a lot of very good information.
- Cubs Invite Joe Maddon’s Entire Coaching Staff Back for Next Season
- Cubs Would Like to Add at Least One Quality Starting Pitcher
- Theo Epstein’s End of Season Press Conference was Chock-Full of Information
- Cubs Will Continue Playing Kyle Schwarber Behind the Plate and in the Outfield
- Cubs Plan to Approach Scott Boras about a Long-Term Extension for Jake Arrieta
- Cubs Thought Miguel Montero’s Season was a Tale of Two Halves
- Arbitration Eligible Players Will Put a Pretty Big Dent in Cubs Available Payroll for 2016
- Cubs Would like to Bring Back Dexter Fowler, Position Player Group Provides Options
This Day In Cubstory
2014 – Cubs granted free agency to James McDonald
2012 – Cubs granted free agency to Alfredo Amezaga, Shawn Camp and Justin Germano
2008 – The Brewers claimed Casey McGehee off waivers from the Cubs
2007 – Cubs granted free agency to Cory Bailey, Mike Mahoney, John Nelson, Ryan O’Malley, John Webb, Ben Howard and Kerry Wood
2004 – Cubs signed free agent Rene Reyes
2004 – Cubs granted free agency to Paul Bako, Nomar Garciaparra, Ben Grieve and Tom Goodwin
2003 – Cubs granted free agency to Mark Grudzielanek and Tony Womack
2001 – Cubs signed free agent Ben Ford
1996 – Cubs granted free agency to Dave Magadan
1991 – Arismendy Alcantara, born
1990 – Jae-Hoon Ha, born
1990 – The Hanshin Tigers purchased Marvell Wynne from the Cubs
1949 – Cubs signed amateur free agent Jim Fanning
1929 – Cubs selected Les Ball off waivers from the Boston Braves