Iowa Cubs 9 @ Oklahoma City Dodgers 10 (Game 1)
The Cubs trailed 8-3 going to the top of the 6th and scored 6 over the final 2 innings of regulation to tie it up. They lost in the bottom of the 9th to fall to 36-39.
John Andreoli was 2-4 with a double, walk, strikeout and 2 runs scored. Tommy La Stella began his rehab assignment with a 2-3 performance in which he hit a home run, drove in two, scored a run and struckout. It will be nice to start getting some of these injured Cubs back. Still no word on Jorge Soler that I’ve seen, which in this case probably isn’t good news.
Matt Murton was 2-4 with a double and a walk. Dan Vogelbach keeps hitting. He was 3-4 with 2 doubles and a home run (his 15th). He also has 15 doubles. He drove in 4 and scored 2.
Juan Perez was 1-4 with a home run (4).
Things are not going well for Pierce Johnson. After his first two starts of the season (he’s only made 7), he’d thrown 8 innings and allowed 8 hits and a run. He’d walked 4 and struckout 11. Since then, he’s thrown 18 innings, allowed 22 hits, walked 12 and struckout 12. He’s also given up 3 home runs over those last 5 starts. In last night’s start, he pitched just 2 innings, allowed 4 hits, walked 3, gave up 5 runs and struckout none. In his last 3 starts, he’s faced 51 batters and struckout just 3. He’s walked 8. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s another DL stint. These numbers are just horrible.
The Cubs used 5 relievers and only one of them didn’t allow a run. C.J. Riefenhauser pitched 0.1 innings and he did not allow a run. He walked a batter so he only got out 50% of the batters he faced.
Iowa Cubs 3 @ Oklahoma City Dodgers 2 (Game 2)
The Dodgers tied it at 2 in the last inning of regulation and the Cubs won it in the 8th to improve to 37-39.
Logan Watkins was 2-4 with a run scored. Mark Zagunis was 2-3 with a home run, walk, 2 RBI and a run scored. Dan Voglbach was 2-3. Even prior to this day in which Vogelbach went 5-7, he was having the best season of his career in a full-season league. His 2012 rookie league performance (only 115 PA) was arguably better), but even that’s not true any more. I don’t think Vogelbach will be the only player required for the Cubs to acquire someone like Andrew Miller, but he’ll make for a nice centerpiece in any trade talks. His power has come back in a big way.
Jake Buchanan threw 7 innings, allowed 9 hits, a walk and 2 runs. He struckout 8. Corey Black picked up his 2nd save. He allowed a hit and struckout a batter in the 8th.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos 1 @ Tennessee Smokies 12
The Smokies improved to 31-44 in this rain-shortened game. It was 12-1 after 6 innings so I doubt they waited long to call it.
Every player who was in the lineup got a hit except one. Five of the players had multi-hit games.
- Jacob Hannemann: 2-4, 2 runs scored, strikeout
- Chesny Young: 2-3, double, walk, 3 runs
- Ian Happ: 3-3, home run, sac fly, 3 RBI, 2 runs
- Victor Caratini: 2-4, double, 2 RBI, run, strikeout
- Billy McKinney: 2-3, triple, walk, 4 RBI, 2 runs, strikeout
Happ has started four games at AA and he has four multi-hit games. Three of those four games he’s totaled 3 hits. The only game he’s played at AA that he doesn’t have a hit was in his first game when he had a pinch hit walk. Here’s what Happ has done between A+ and AA this year: .322/.426/.522, .429 wOBA, 170 wRC+. Happ is pretty good at baseball.
Brad Markey threw a complete game (6 innings) and allowed 4 hits and a run. He didn’t walk anybody and struckout 2.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans postponed
Lake County Captains 6 @ South Bend Cubs 1
Carlos Sepulveda was 2-4 and Donnie Dewees was 1-4 with a double and a strikeout. Tyler Alamo was also 2-4 and he struckout once. Eddy Martinez and Josh Silver each singled. Martinez also walked and drove in a run.
Adbert Alzolay dropped to 5-4 after giving up 11 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings of work. He walked none and struckout 5. Greyfer Eregua pitched 3 innings and allowed an unearned run. He didn’t allow any hits or walks and struckout 4. Craig Brooks pitched a clean 9th inning.
Spokane Indians 2 @ Eugene Emeralds 8
Matt Rose was 2-3 with a home run, 3 RBI and a run scored. Chris Pieters was 1-4 with a double and 2 strikeouts. The only other extra-base hit belongs to Michael Foster who was 1-3 with a double, walk, run scored and 2 strikeouts. Andruw Monaterio, Kevonte Michell and Ricardo Marcano each singled.
Jesus Castillo had a game. He pitched 5 innings, allowed only a hit and a walk. He struckout 11. Scott Frazier allowed a hit and a run in 2 innings. He struckout 2. Michael Knighton allowed 3 hits and a run in 2 innings. He struckout 1.
- Luis Ayala: 2-4, walk, RBI, 2 runs, strikeout
- Jose Gonzalez: 3-5, 2 RBI
- Isaac Paredes: 1-4, walk, run
- Gustavo Polanco: 2-4, RBI, strikeout
- Jhonny Pereda: 1-3, double, walk, run, strikeout
Erling Moreno threw 6 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 walks and no runs. He struckout 6. Jose Leidenz picked up his first save though it wasn’t a good outing. He threw the final 3 innings, allowed 5 hits and 2 runs. He struckout 2.
The Cubs only had a run on 5 hits, but the box scores shows 3 runs on 7 hits so it could go either way. Jose Gutierrez was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Jonathan Sierra was 1-4 with a double, run and a strikeout. Henrry Pedra was 1-3 with a double, RBI and a run.
Jose Mac Donna pitched 4 innings, allowed 4 hits and a walk. He gave up 1 run and struckout 3. Luis Silva pitched 2.1 innings, allowed a hit and 2 walks while striking out 1.
The Cubs scored 4 runs on 11 hits and had 4 players with multi-hit games. Aramis Ademan was 2-4 with a run scored. Richard Nunez was also 2-4 with a run scored. Abraham Rodriguez was 2-4 with a triple, RBI and run scored. Fernando Kelli was 2-2 with a walk and run scored.
Faustino Carrera threw only 2.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, walked 3 and gave up 1 run while striking out 3. Ivan Medina picked up the win to improve to 4-0. The Cubs2 team is 14-6 and Medina has 4 of their wins. He threw 3.1 innings, allowed 2 hits, walked a batter while striking out 2. Yan De La Cruz pitched the final 3 innings for his first save. He allowed a hit, 2 walks and a run while striking out 2.
Comments
Yeah, any word on what his velocity was? He’s pitched so poorly you’ve got to wonder if he’s injured.
dmick89Quote Reply
Happ is on fire. He doesn’t want to spend much time in AA. I’m really starting to get excited about this guy and hope the Cubs don’t trade him. I know they have Zobrist for a few more years after this, but he can move around and Happ can too. I’d much, much rather be trading Almora than Happ at this point. Not even a close decision as far as I’m concerned.
And yeah, McKinney has been heating up for awhile. I saw Phil Rogers dismiss him entirely recently and laughed. For his age, he’s doing just fine.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant has 3.9 fWAR and his ZiPS RoS is 3.1. Steamer is 3.2. That’s a total of 7.0 and 7.1 fWAR. The last Cubs position player with 7 fWAR was Derek Lee in 2005. Sammy Sosa had 7.1 in 1998 and 9.9 in 2001. If he continues his current pace and ends with about 8 fWAR, he’d be in the top 10 among Cubs position players (he’d be tied with Ryne Sandberg and Hack Wilson).
dmick89Quote Reply
i am sick of avoiding the elephant in the room so i’m just gonna come out and say it: kris bryant’s walk rate declined last night. this could be really big trouble you guys.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
he took BP yesterday. not sure what that means but presumably he’ll begin a rehab very shortly if he’s taking BP?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
That’s great news.
dmick89Quote Reply
He’s also on pace to steal 8 less bases than last year. Kind of worried about that.
MylesQuote Reply
Does anyone here know a guy who owns a helicopter?
berseliusQuote Reply
Dang, before you told me that I was all set on the Cubs trading him for Andrew Miller. Now I guess they’ll have to throw in Russell too.
berseliusQuote Reply
More importantly, he’s been caught a lot more frequently than last season, which is the real concern. Now might be the time to trade him before he makes more outs on the bases.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant would probably be 14 for 15 in stolen bases if he got to play 6 games against the Cubs with Miguel Montero behind the plate.
dmick89Quote Reply
Getting protection in the order from Rizzo is spoiling him. He needs to bat ahead of the pitcher for a while so he can get some bad pitches he can lay off of.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
But are you willing to carry them both on your back to NYC if it means getting Andrew Miller? That’s the real test.
MylesQuote Reply
So I’m hearing kris bryant did something good.
SKQuote Reply
Irresponsible rumor.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
He’s either getting slow or injured—did you see how he failed to hustle after three of his hits last night? He was just jogging like he was Aramis Ramirez or something. Going to third on his first double seemed to do him in.
ceruleanQuote Reply
There’s no denying he had a good game, but he did a very poor job at taking care of his uniform. He definitely needs to improve on that. That’s what I’ll be looking for the rest of the season.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
He clearly needs to do some more wind sprints before the games.
dmick89Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I think a good re-reading of The Cubs Way manual would do Bryant some good. Joe should keep him out of the lineup until he does that.
dmick89Quote Reply
Someone needs to tell him it’s a “home run,” not a “home jog.”
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
On a more serious note, I have no idea why Szczur is starting in center today with Heyward in right. Surely Jason can cover more ground?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It seems weird to me that Maddon is usually very flexible about positioning, but insists on keeping his best outfielder in a corner position the vast majority of the time.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
This will have to do for a game thread unless berselius or myles feels like it. I’m swamped right now.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’ve obviously learned to be lazy by watching Kris Bryant last night.
dmick89Quote Reply
I don’t look forward to the Lester/Hamilton matchup. Jon will have to strike him out or induce a flyout every time.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Zobrist
Heyward
Bryant
Rizzo
Contreras (LF)
Baez
Szczur
Ross
Lester
berseliusQuote Reply
FWIW, there’s probably some small bonus to Heyward being more comfortable in RF
berseliusQuote Reply
This game is off to a good start.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Zobrist!
/delayed comment
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I mean yeah I think there is some logic to having the best RF in the game in RF and a replacement-level guy in CF versus replacement-level in RF and “unknown” in CF. Not saying that’s what it would actually be with heyward in CF but I do see the logic and don’t think it’s enough of an issue either way to really worry about it.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Make Lamb work more. I want to see the Reds’ bullpen.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Zobrist is doing a good Bryant impression so far.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Votto has to be the most talkative 1st baseman in the game. He chats up every player when the reach base.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
He runs a lot harder around the bases on his home runs.
dmick89Quote Reply
Poor Brandon Phillips.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lester!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Game 1 of the NLDS is in 5 days. Arrieta or Lester?
dmick89Quote Reply
Heyward probably shouldn’t bat second against southpaws.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Heyward is striking out a lot more this year.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I’m not sure he should bat 2nd at all when the Cubs get Fowler back. I’d put Zobrist 2nd.
dmick89Quote Reply
Doesn’t matter.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
I’d probably start whoever would have the platoon advantage against their primary offensive contributors.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Maybe, but I don’t think either pitcher has a large platoon split.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I might look at whose personal catcher has the platoon advantage against the opposing pitcher.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Of course, we all know the correct answer is Clayton Richard.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I don’t think they do either, but it’s as good a way to pick between the two as any other in my opinion.
Your way is good too. I kind of like that better.
dmick89Quote Reply
I thought Iglesias was the only Reds pitcher that was worth a damn. They must have moved him to the pen because he pitched too well.
berseliusQuote Reply
Speaking of him, he got an inning of work in AAA today.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
According to Thom late last year, he was the hottest pitcher in baseball.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m enjoying this efficiency.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This is not the infamous Reds bullpen I’ve heard about.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
Looks like he’s coming back from an injury, Reds might make him a RP for the rest of the year.
berseliusQuote Reply
Billy Hamilton. ?
berseliusQuote Reply
Why does Hamilton crush Cubs pitching so much?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Really?
dmick89Quote Reply
That’s Hamilton’s second homer off of Lester this year. (dying crying)
ceruleanQuote Reply
And here I was worried that Hamilton would bunt and run like silly.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
RIZZOMG
berseliusQuote Reply
Great play.
Runs, please.
dmick89Quote Reply
That went way deeper than I thought it would
berseliusQuote Reply
Damn it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Crap.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I miss the Rondon who struck out every other batter.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
Not a good time to squeeze the pitcher, ump.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rondon got screwed on that first pitch.
dmick89Quote Reply
God damn it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Fack
berseliusQuote Reply
Bullpen sucks of late.
dmick89Quote Reply
Hooray. Bonus baseball.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Is that 3 blown saves in a row for Rondon?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
No. He got his last one, I think.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Now the cats are upset.
umbraQuote Reply
I bet he didn’t want to walk Heyward to get to Bryant.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
You should have hit a home run, Kris.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Grimm’s 10th: walk, groundout, walk, hit batter, single
dmick89Quote Reply
He must have missed the sign from Joe smh
berseliusQuote Reply
Grimm makes me nervous. But, ok, out #1
UrkQuote Reply
berselius,
To be fair that sign looks a lot like the popout sign.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Gimm had filthy stuff. Too bad he usually doesn’t know where it’s going.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Good Grimm. How I missed that guy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Close
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Remind me not to ask you for stock market tips.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I swear Edwards looks even smaller than he used to.
berseliusQuote Reply
Hmm. Not sure I’m a fan of pinch-hitting with Coghlan here.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hey, Javy, maybe don’t swing at pitches you can’t reach?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus, that was fucking ugly.
dmick89Quote Reply
What a waste.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Joe should remind the hitters that this is the Reds bullpen.
dmick89Quote Reply
This game won’t end. These bullpens are too good.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Can we please get Fowler, La Stella and Soler back? And some decent relievers.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
And remind them that they traded Chapman.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And that Marshall’s shoulder fell apart.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
They might need to call up La Stella to pitch tomorrow
berseliusQuote Reply
Grienke ———> possible back injury
berseliusQuote Reply
Edwards looked good, in addition to looking like a 14 year old
berseliusQuote Reply
I’d have given Edwards another inning. It’s not like the Cubs are going to score anyway so just get the kid some extra work.
dmick89Quote Reply
I miss the old Reds bullpen.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Throw strikes, Trevor.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Enough already!
ceruleanQuote Reply
Bryant should have worn his torn pants.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Woof, lucky that wasn’t a TOOTBLAN
berseliusQuote Reply
7 no-hit innings for the Reds bullpen
berseliusQuote Reply
Which bad bullpen blinks first?
UrkQuote Reply
The one waiting on Clayton Richard to get healthy.
dmick89Quote Reply
I almost don’t care anymore.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Travis Wood goes to the outfield. RHP Peralta comes in to retire a tough lefty. Nothing makes sense. Whatever.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The fuck?
berseliusQuote Reply
Baffling.
dmick89Quote Reply
Travis is an outfielder and a pitcher. Just like Babe Ruth!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Zo!
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Little Ivan
dmick89Quote Reply
Zobrist!
UrkQuote Reply
This Wood nonsense is why I wasn’t a big fan of pinch-hitting for Almora.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Love too swing away against a guy with a career 12% walk rate
berseliusQuote Reply
For christ’s sake, score a fucking run
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89Quote Reply
The Reds bullpen will have the best ERA in baseball when this one is over.
dmick89Quote Reply
Surely one of Theo or Hoyer recognizes how stupid the 8 man bullpen is. Fix it.
dmick89Quote Reply
Wait, Joe did a double-switch and didn’t even leave the pitcher in?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
goddamnit– why are the Cubs half innings so short? I fucking blinked and the Reds are back up. Take some goddamn pitches!
UrkQuote Reply
Well, that explains that.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Reds pen is one inning away from a combined no-hitter
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing) this is funny
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
The Book mentioned this strategy. I don’t know if it’s ever been used.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Somewhat similar to the Sean Marshall in left-field thing that Pinella pulled. But this time with two pitchers.
UrkQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
The cubs did it 2007 or 2008 with Sean Marahall, but they didn’t have 2 pitchers in. Closest thing I’ve seen.
dmick89Quote Reply
Urk,
Yeah, reminds me of that.
dmick89Quote Reply
This is hilarious
berseliusQuote Reply
Yeah, Pinella had Marshall go out to left field for one batter, and then he came back to the mound and the pitcher who’d come in left.
UrkQuote Reply
Hoover is pitching. Come on, guys. He sucks.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
??
berseliusQuote Reply
I hope they’re warming up the plane in Iowa
berseliusQuote Reply
If only Bryant could but get a wack at that. I’d put up even money now, with Bryant at the bat.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
A hit! I remember those!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Is Strop not available?
dmick89Quote Reply
Mighty Bryant didn’t strike out.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Bryant!
dmick89Quote Reply
I think he’s done a few multi-inning outings in the past few days
berseliusQuote Reply
Of course, Hammel is on deck.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Joe’s not going with the hot hand Arrieta smh
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Jake is a much better hitter, anyway.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Damn it all.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow, Votto
berseliusQuote Reply
Unbelievable play by Votto
dmick89Quote Reply
Why did Heyward slide? To avoid a collision?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Oh my god!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
JAVY
berseliusQuote Reply
Screw the closer!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javyyyy
dmick89Quote Reply
Let’s have a nice clean bottom of the inning here. Please?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing), Strop in LF
berseliusQuote Reply
Did I mention Hoover sucks?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
That was fun.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javier Baez’s wRC+ for the day is 77. He hit a grand slam.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berselius,
I was pondering that but the extra effort to run him back and forth probably wasn’t worth it.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/cubs-7-reds-2-15-innings/
berseliusQuote Reply