Iowa Cubs 3 @ Memphis Redbirds 4
Iowa fell behind 4-0 by the end of the 3rd inning, but tried to rally in the 7th and 8th. They fell to 31-36 on the season.
Dexter Fowler may or may not be headed to the DL depending on what the Cubs learn in the days to come. I would assume that would finally earn Matt Murton the call up to Chicago. He’s been out-performing John Andreoli by a long way could probably handle is own at the MLB level, especially against left-handed pitchers. Mark Zagunis is another possibility, but he just reached AAA.
John Andreoli was 0-3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts. He scored a run. Munenori Kawasaki was 2-3 with a double, walk, RBI and a strikeout. The above-mentioned Matt Murton was 1-4 with an RBI, run scored and a strikeout. The middle of the order was silent in this one. The 4-5-6 hitters combined for 0-12. Juan Perez and pinch-hitter Mark Zagunis had the other hits. Zagunis tripled in his only at-bat.
Pierce Johnson was terrible. In 3.1 innings, he allowed 3 hits and 4 runs, though only 3 were earned. That’s barely worth mentioning though. He also walked 3, allowed a home run and as you’d expect, only struckout 1. The Cubs have a ton of depth at some spots offensively, but they don’t have much depth when it comes to pitching.
Speaking of perhaps the one spot where they probably have more depth than Joe Maddon realizes. And I can’t believe I’m even saying saying this, but Gerardo Concepcion has become a good reliever. He threw 1.2 innings in this one and allowed a hit and struckout a batter. I’ve talked about how good Concepcion has been several times and I realize his high walk rate is very concerning, but he’s got to be better than Clayton Richard.
Corey Black pitched the 8th and struckout a batter.
Tennessee Smokies 0 @ Jackson Generals 4
The Smokies dropped to 14 games below .500 at 28-42 with this weak 3-hit effort.
Victor Caratini was 1-4 with 2 strikeouts. Billy McKinney and David Bote were each 1-3. Chesny Young and Kelly Dugan each took a walk. That’s it for the offense.
Jen-Ho Tseng had a good start. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 6 hits and 2 runs. Only 1 run was earned. He walked 1 and struckout 3. Jose Rosario pitched the final 2 innings for the Smokies and allowed a hit, walked 2 and 2 runs allowed. He struckout 3.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 3 @ Potomac Nationals 4
Potomac ran out to an early 3-0 start after 3 innings, but the Pelicans got 2 in the 5th and tied it in the 8th. They lost in 11 and are currently 36-34.
Gleyber Torres was 1-5 with 3 strikeouts. Ian Happ is on fire right now. He was 3-4 with a double, home run, walk, 2 RBI and a run scored. Jason Vosler was 2-4 with a double and a walk. Andrew Ely was 2-5 with a strikeout.
Jeremy Null threw 5 innings, allowed 9 hits and 3 runs. He broke the rules and struckout 7. He also allowed 2 home runs. Michael Wagner threw 4 innings of 1-hit baseball. He struckout 6. Tommy Thorpe picked up the loss by allowing 2 hits and a run in 1.1 innings. He walked 1 and struckout 1.
Lake County Captains 1 @ South Bend Cubs 3
Eloy Jimenez was 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Carlos Sepulveda was 1-4 with a double, RBI, run scored and 2 strikeouts. Josh Silver and Byrant Flete were each 1-3.
Kyle Miller threw only 83 pitches over 7 innings. He allowed just 4 hits and a run. He walked 2 and struckout 5. Miller began the year in the bullpen and has now made 3 starts. He’s been very good in these 3 starts, but his strikeout rate overall leaves a lot to be desired. It’s better than some of the prospects or minor leaguers covered here, but in 33 innings at South Bend, he struckout only 6 per 9 and that was primarily as a reliever.
Miller was a 19th round pick last June and is 22 year old.
Pedro Araujo picked up his 2nd save with 2 innings of work. He didn’t allow any hits, runs or walks and struckout 4.
Boise Hawks 6 @ Eugene Emeralds 4
The Emeralds lost their first game of the season, but still won their opening series against Boise. They had a 3-0 lead, but Boise scored 4 in the 6th and then scored 2 more in the 13th.
Wladimir Galindo was 2-4 with 2 solo home runs. He also struckout twice. D.J. Yeller Peguero was 2-5 with a home run, 2 RBI and a run scored. Wilson and Andruw Monasterio were each 2-6. Wilson struckout 3 times and Monasterio struckout once.
Jose Paulino was excellent in his first start of the season for Eugene. He threw 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, no runs and no walks. He struckout 5. Scott Frazier pitched 0.2 innings, allowed 2 hits and 2 walks. All 4 baserunners scored. He struckout a batter. Enrique De Los Rio picked up the loss with 2.1 innings of work. He allowed a hit, walked 2 and allowed 2 runs. Neither of the runs were earned and he struckout 4.
Comments
Eloy Jimenez has 24 doubles. For comparison, Fowler has the most doubles for the Cubs with 19.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
He’s having a great season. I just wish we’d see a bit more patience from him, but he’s hitting so well it’s probably difficult to take pitches.
dmick89Quote Reply
are any of the 400-level seats at wrigley in the shade for a day game? or is it just 200 and 500 that are in the shade?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Mets got swept by the Braves.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
how are the smokies so shitty? i thought their roster was pretty stacked (or it was until a week ago when candelario and mark z got called up to iowa).
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
it’s kevin gregg’s birthday you guys
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I think part of it has to do with the Cubs having injuries and players from Iowa being their replacements. As a result, players from Tennessee have moved to Iowa. Their pitching outside of their top 2 hasn’t been great either.
dmick89Quote Reply
I would like to see Concepción get called up regardless of a DFA for MudDick should Fowler hit the DL. With Contreras’ bat off the bench and Heyward, Almora, Bryant, Szczur, Zobrist, and Coghlan all capable outfielders—and Contreras should be passable at any corner on the field too*—there are so many interchangeable parts that an Orange Guy call-up seems silly (until another guy goes down, that is).
*Because Cubs
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
The last thing I want is to see the bench thinned out even more than it already is. I think you’ve got to call up an outfielder or activate one from the DL if Fowler hits the DL.
dmick89Quote Reply
I also want to see ClayDick DFA’d.
dmick89Quote Reply
How were the ’66 Cubs so bad with four Hall of Famers? Santo put up 8.9 rWAR for a 59-win team (!); only Banks had a below average year of the four.
ceruleanQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I’d say most are in the shade except maybe the outfield portion down the right field line. I was in 424 on a blazing hot day but it was in the shade and actually really pleasant. Everything to our left was also in the shade.
SKQuote Reply
Man, I wish both Santo and Banks could have seen these teams.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Yes. But we all know what kind of photos he must have on this FO, so that’s not happening.
ceruleanQuote Reply
But that’s my point: This bench as it stands is still probably one of the best: Ross, Contreras, Szczur, Coghlan, and everyone on the team but Rizzo, Ross, Montero, and maybe Contreras can play multiple positions. The versatility alone is worth the at least another player.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Baez, Schwarber, Contreras, and even Almora are not on the trade block per Rosenthal.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Maybe they would call up Kawasaki instead of an outfielder.
SKQuote Reply
cerulean,
I get that, but how many relievers have batted this year? More than one or two per season is an indication they’re not doing it right.
dmick89Quote Reply
SK,
That would work. They have to call up a position player. Maybe they can call up a 4th catcher.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m a little surprised Almora is on that list, but let’s face it, they’re all available if the right deal comes along. This front office is too bright to have a list of players they’d not consider trading.
dmick89Quote Reply
Ya, I think most people would agree that if any of the ML-ready talent is dealt, it’ll be Soler. I’m sure there are a few teams out there that would still value him highly. The addition of Coghlan also makes it easier to deal Soler.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Cubs’ starting lineup tonight, by age:
35
26
24
26
24
23
22
22
32
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
Lackey ‘s only 32? He seems about 40.
SKQuote Reply
SK,
37. My bad.
Myles HandleyQuote Reply
SK,
what row?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
dmick89,
My understanding is that they are steering conversation away from those names. I can see both Almora and Baez being traded, but Schwarber and Contreras, absolutely not. And it’s not that they are untouchable, but like Bryant and Rizzo, the team values them more than any team will offer to take them off their hands. Of the thirteen players 27 or younger on this team (including the DL), I would put the order of willingness to trade like this:
Grimm
Szczur
La Stella
Soler
Almora
Baez
Hendricks
Rizzo
Russell
Schwarber
Contreras
Heyward
Bryant
EDIT: added pitchers
ceruleanQuote Reply
I’ll be there tonight. Anyone else?
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
If by “there” you mean “at Josh’s apartment” then yes.
joshQuote Reply
My seats are in 436, row 5, and always seem mostly covered by the canopy. I’ve at least never felt much in the way of direct sunlight.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Myles,
I wish.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/series-preview-st-louis-cardinals-35-33-chicago-cubs-47-20/
dmick89Quote Reply