Friday, March 13, 2009

Cubs Split Split-Sqaud Games, Sign New Infielder, Make Cuts, and Talk on the Radio

Final Score @ Tempe: Angels 8, Cubs 2

Cubs Starting Line-up Hitting:

Gathright: 0-4
Theriot: 1-3
Hoffpauir: 1-3
Bradley: 1-3, Run
Deeds: 1-4, Run
Scales: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB
Taguchi: 0-3
M. Johnson: 0-3
Rivas: 1-3

Most of the regulars stayed in Mesa, but Bradley and Theroit did play in this one. Mark Johnson is now hitting just .091. Bobby Scales is vying for a bench spot and has opened some eyes. He is hitting .318 so far in the Cactus League.


Cubs Pitchers:
Gaudin: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB
Berg: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
Atkins: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB
C. Fox: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
Kadokura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
Stevens: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER

Chad Gaudin did not pitch well at all. His ERA is 10.38, I would say he has officially lost any chance he had of being a starter this season. Berg, Fox, and Stevens have all pitch well this spring, but there is a lot of competition for those final few bullpen spots.

Cubs Hitters off the Bench:
Camp: 0-1
Rosa: 0-1
Snyder: 0-1
Castillo: 0-1

Some minor leaguers got the chance to go to the big league games today because of the split team.

Game Highlight: Chad Gaudin allows a Grand Slam to Morales in the 2nd inning.

My Player of the Game: I've got to go with Larry Rothschild, the Cubs pitching coach, who somehow managed to get thrown out in a Spring Trainining game.

Final Score from Mesa: Cubs 8, Seattle 1

Cubs Starting Line-up Hitting:

Soriano: 0-3
Fuld: 2-4, 2 Run, RBI, BB
Lee: 0-3
Ramirez: 0-1, Run, BB
Fontenot: 1-2, RBI BB
R. Johnson: 1-3, RBI
Hill: 1-4, RBI
Marshall: 0-1

Samd Fuld had a great day today, including a solo homer in the 3rd.

Cubs Pitchers:

Marshall: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, BB, 3 K
Vizcaino:0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
Stanton: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER
Hart: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K
Waddell: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Ascaino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K

Sean Marshall is pitching great! There is no doubt in my mind that he deserves to be the 5th starter. His ERA is now 0.68. Jose Ascaino has pitched very well, but I don't think there is a spot for him in the bullpen. He could get called up at some point in the middle of the season.

Cubs Hitters off the Bench:

Robnett: 1-2, 2 RBI
J. Fox: 0-1
Adduci: 1-1, 2 Runs, BB
Dubois: Run
Barney: 0-1
German: 0-2

James Adduci did well, he's a guy that got to leave minor league camp to play with the big league team today. If you are wondering who German is, keep reading.

Game Highlight: Mike Fontenot's RBI single to give he Cubs the lead with 2 outs in the first.

My Player of the Game: Sam Fuld who was 2-4, with a solo homer, and RBI, a walk, and 2 runs scored.

Up Next: VS LAA tomorrow at 3:05 CT. The game is on WGN-TV and Radio. Cubs play D-backs on Sunday at 3:05. I'm going to be out of town this weekend, I'll have a recap of both games on hopefully Sunday night.

Other Cubs Notes:

  • The Cubs have signed infielder Esteban German to a minor league deal.

German Notes:

- Was released by Royals last week.

- 7 Big League season with A's, Rangers, and Royals.

- B/T: Right

- 752 career games at 2B, 167 at 3B, 61 in LF, 37 at SS, 11 in CF, and 1 at 1B.

- MLB debut on May 21, 2002.

- 30 years old.

  • The Cubs have sent 5 players back to minor league camp: Richie Robnett, Brian Schlitter, J.R. Mathes, Matt Smith, and Steve Clevenger.
  • The roster now stands at 53 players.
  • Aaron Miles says his shoulder is feeling better.
  • Lou Piniella expects the Cubs closer, backup catcher, and 5th starter spots named in about 1 week. Lou thinks that by next weekend everyone will know there place.
  • Aaron Heilman will start tomorrow for the Cubs. Expect to see Carlos Marmol in relief.
  • Rich Harden will start against Arizona on Sunday.
  • Corey Koskie has undergone a physical and once he get the go ahead, will be thrown into some games.

Radio Recaps:

Mike Fontenot joined Waddle and Silvy on their show the other day:

  • My predicts that he would hit 62 home runs if he get 500 ABs this year. He's kidding folks.
  • Fontenot points out that bigger guys get worn down easier than smaller guys.
  • Mike is "trying to do whatever for the team".
  • Obviously he would like to play everyday and get as many at bats as possible.
  • Fontenot says it would be nice to be an everyday guy at some point in his career.
  • Theroit and Mike have talked about being the double play combination every day for the Chicago Cubs.
  • Ryan is not bothered by hitting 8th. Mike and Theroit are going to play hard no matter where Lou puts them.
  • Theroit is upset that Mike bought his kids a trampoline for Christmas.
  • Silvy asked who would win a 1 VS 1 HR Derby Fontenot VS Zambrano. Mike says Big Z for sure.

Jeff Samardzija joined Mully and Hanley on ESPN 1000:

  • Jeff says he's really worried about who the 5th starter is.
  • He says Sean Marshall pitching well makes him want to pitch better.
  • Samardzija is OK with pitching in the bullpen or going down to AAA to get stretched out. He says he has to let "them make the decisions."
  • Jeff says his mind is set at the major league level.
  • Samardzija uses the crowd to help him out and he is very willing to play in front of big crowds.
  • He used the off season to get his body ready for another long season.
  • He also worked on his change-up this off season.
  • Samardzija doesn't think last year haunt the Cubs at all, he says they just have to turn the page.
  • It was hard to balance football, studies, and baseball at Notre Dame.
  • Jeff liked John Smoltz growing up. He also remembers watching Woody pitch a lot when he was growing up.
  • He describes playing a year with Kerry as "really cool".

That's it for now, more posts to come!

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