Cubs Weekend Headlines: Sweeps Are Fun, Minor League News and Highlights
It was sweeps week for the Chicago Cubs as Joe Maddon’s team completed a difficult week against the Pirates and Nationals with a four-game sweep at Wrigley Field. The Cubs took all four games from the Nationals after Sunday’s extra innings walk-off win.
The Cubs are an unbelievable 24-6 on the season following a perfect 7-0 week.
Here are the highlights from the weekend series and all of the news, notes and recaps from the last three-plus days …
A Cast of Cubs All-Stars
Sue’s latest column focuses on Cubs’ All-Stars of yesteryear, provides a little history and reminds everyone to vote for the many players on the Cubs’ roster that deserve to be included in the Midsummer Classic.
Zo Hits, The Professor Pitchers and Cubs Win – Cubs 5, Nationals 2
The weekend started Thursday night with the opener of the four-game series with the Nationals. Kyle Hendricks held the Nationals in check for six innings while Ben Zobrist drove in four of the Cubs five runs with a two-run single and a two-run homer.
The Cubs scored three runs in the eighth to put the game away.
Recap includes video.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/06/16
Tom recapped the action down on the farm at the end of the week. Pitching led the way with excellent performances from Kyle Twomey and Zach Hedges. Dan Vogelbach hit a slam for Iowa and Kelly Dugan hit a big fly for the Smokies.
The Daily CCO: Fifteen Over and Cubs News and Notes
With Thursday’s win in the opener against the Nationals the Cubs improved to 21-6, 15 games over .500 for the season after 27 games.
Jason Heyward returned to the field on Thursday taking over in center after Dexter Fowler was ejected in the third inning.
Dusty Baker met with the media before his first game back at Wrigley. And the Daily report includes updates on Miguel Montero and pitching stats.
Pierce Johnson and Matt Murton landed on the minor league disabled list. News, notes and links, plus This Day in Cubs History can all be found by clicking on the report.
Cubs Announce Make-Up Dates for Brewers and Braves Postponements
The Cubs made the two make-up dates with the Brewers and Braves official on Friday. The Cubs and Brewers will play a day-night doubleheader. And the Cubs lost an off-day in July to make-up the game with the Braves.
Zobrist, Cubs Light Up Scherzer and Hang On to Beat the Nationals – Cubs 8, Nationals 6
Ben Zobrist hit not one but two home runs, Anthony Rizzo and Zobrist hit back-to-back jacks off Max Scherzer. The Cubs hit four longballs off Scherzer. The bullpen let the Nationals back in the game before Hector Rondon shut ‘em down.
John Lackey had an excellent outing on a hitter’s day at Wrigley Field.
Recap includes lots of video.
Cubs Name INF Chesny Young, RHP Paul Blackburn Minor League Player, Pitcher of the Month for April
A pair of teammates, INF Chesny Young and RHP Paul Blackburn was recognized by the organization for the excellent start to the season they’ve had for Double-A Tennessee.
Two of the prospects often overlooked received the recognition they both earned on the field.
Shane Victorino Makes Iowa Cubs Debut
Veteran outfielder Shane Victorino reported to Triple-A Iowa after spending a month in extended Spring Training. Victorino started Friday’s game in Omaha, played left field and batted second.
Victorino had a double, drove in a run and scored another in his organizational debut.
The Daily CCO: Go Go Zorilla and Other Cubs News
Ben Zobrist has been rather hot at the plate … and the report includes all of the numbers.
More on the Cubs’ run differential, Anthony Rizzo’s streak and an update on Miguel Montero are included.
Kyle Schwarber is staying active with the team charting pitchers. Schwarber recently had the stitches removed from the left knee surgery.
Arismendy Alcantara put his name in the record books. And the Daily Report includes news, notes, a Tim Lincecum update and This Day in Cubs History.
Willson Contreras is Not Slowing Down Offensively
Willson Contreras had an excellent April at the plate and turned it on when the calendar flipped to May. Contreras is working at bats, taking his walks and hitting balls out of the park.
Report includes video of his second longball of the young season.
Cubs Outlast Nationals in a Crazy Game for Sixth Straight Win – Cubs 8, Nationals 5
On a pitcher’s day at Wrigley Field, the Cubs and Nationals scored a combined 13 runs. Addison Russell drove in three runs with a pair of two out hits, the second was a two-run double in the seventh that proved to be the game winner.
Ryan Kalish delivered a big hit off the bench. And Kris Bryant hit a big fly through the wind.
Recap includes lots of video.
Kris Bryant’s Longest Home Run of the Season
Kris Bryant drilled a solo homer through wind on Saturday afternoon. It was a mammoth shot … and this report includes the numbers and video to prove it.
The Daily CCO: Hector Rondon is Closing Out Cubs Wins and Other News, Notes and Rumors
Hector Rondon has been pretty, pretty good out of the Cubs pen this season. Rondon is throwing strikes and recording outs for a team that’s expected to play deep into October.
Miguel Montero is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday. The Cubs are sending mixed signals on whether or not he will be activated.
Tommy La Stella and Ryan Kalish drove in runs and played big roles in Saturday’s win.
Daily Report includes updates on Wrigley Field, the Wrigley Field Plaza and all of the news, notes, rumors and links, plus This Day in Cubs History.
From the Wire: Cubs Activate RHP Neil Ramirez, Option RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa
Neil Ramirez was placed on the bereavement list Thursday due to a death in the family. The Cubs recalled Spencer Patton to fill in while Ramirez was with his family.
The Cubs activated Ramirez prior to Sunday’s finale with the Nationals and returned Spencer Patton to Iowa.
Javier Baez Walks Off the Nationals in Extras, Cubs Complete the Sweep – Cubs 4, Nationals 3
On a day Jake Arrieta had very little command, the Cubs found a way to win a ballgame and complete the four-game sweep over the Nationals.
Javier Baez smacked the game winner, a solo blast into the bleachers in left center in the 13th inning.
Kris Bryant tied the game with a two-run single in the seventh. And the bullpen completed eight innings of shutout ball in relief of Arrieta as Joe Maddon had his pitchers walk Bryce Harper six times, three intentionally and twice in extra innings with third base open.
Recap includes video of Baez’s shot and celebration.