D-Lee gone, where is the love?
Derek Lee was just officially traded off to the Braves for a double A and two single A prospects. I have been ready to see Lee leave for the last two years, but now, it seems unfair. It isn’t unfair that he is leaving, but rather that no one cares. Derek Lee put up better career numbers than Andre Dawson in his tenure with the Cubs. Still, no one seems to care, even a little bit, about his departure. When Derosa left the Cubs Chicagoans were outraged. When Kerry Wood was overpaid for 10 years and the Cubs finally let his injury-ridden career take a trip out of town, most fans were upset.
The move the Cubs made wasn’t bad…. Derek Lee is on the way out; he is getting older and his numbers will only continue to decline. My problem is with you, the readers, the fans. Why do we, as Cubs fans, get so upset to see average people leave, but when a truly great player, who put up great numbers for a half decade leaves, no one raises a fuss. I heard more anger about letting Theriot go then I have heard over the D-Lee trade rumors and his eventual trade a few moments ago.
Here is one Cubs fan who can honestly say I am sad to see Derek Lee go. Thanks for your hard work, great bat and excellent glove. Thanks for taking a franchise of mediocrity to the playoffs. Most of all, sorry that you didn’t get the support from the fans you deserved. Cubs fans, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I just as stupid as management?” We all seem to be drugged up on Kerry Wood syndrome, and have forgotten all together about the guys who have truly contributed.
So Long D-Lee and Good Luck!
Posted by bobby, on Aug 18, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: Braves, cubs, Derek, lee, Trade • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Gorzelanny looks for support
Pitching (Cubs) Tom Gorzelanny (6-6) vs (SF) Barry Zito (8-6)
Tom Gorzelanny will face off against left handed veteran Barry Zito in a 9:15 CST matchup against the San Francisco Giants tonight. In Gorzelanny’s last appearance where he pitched against the Reds, he threw seven strong innings and gave up three earned runs on four hits. For his career, Gorzelanny is 3-0 against the Giants with an impressive 1.29 ERA. Barry Zito enters the game with a poor 1-4 record and 4.66 ERA against the Northsiders. Chicago is looking to build some momentum, coming off of an offensive surge during their 8-6 victory last night, which was also interim manager Alan Trammel’s first win with control of the bench.
With the season winding down to about 50 games for both clubs, San Francisco currently sits 2 1/2 games back of the NL West leading Padres, and is now in a three-way tie with NL Central rivals Reds and Cardinals. The Cubs, needless to say, are not in any sort of post season contention, and are comfortably sitting in 5th place at 15 1/2 games back with only the always struggling Pirates behind them.
At the plate, 8 of 13 Cub hitters have faced Zito before, with Aramis Ramirez holding a .375 average in 8 at bats against the left. Alfonso Soriano, who leads the Cubs in at bats against Zito with 12, has gone hitless against him in his career. Soriano will look to change that statistic today.
Posted by michael, on Aug 11, 2010 • Category: Cubs• Tags: barry, chicago, cubs, giants, san francisco, zito • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Cubs outslug Giants
W: Ryan Dempster (10-8)
L: Tim Lincecum (11-6)
After being swept by the Reds at Wrigley, and dropping a close night game with the Giants Monday, the Cubs bounced back Tuesday night with an 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Starting in the first inning Chicago’s bats were hot, starting with a Starlin Castro line drive that brought in Tyler Colvin and gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead after just two batters. After a Micah Hoffpauir groundout, Aramis Ramirez singled, allowing Castro to score. Kosuke Fukodome finished off the inning with a 2-run shot (10), giving the Cubs a 4-0 lead off of Giant’s ace Tim Lincecum.
Ryan Dempster got the nod today, and after giving up a run in the first and second inning, settled into the game to throw a strong 6.2IP and giving up 4 runs (three earned) on 8 hits.
As Lou Piniella takes time off to be with his hospitalized mother, long time Cub bench coach Alan Trammel has been named the interim manager. With the Cubs defense giving up three errors, Trammel had a few words to backup his starting pitching stating that “We make too many errors, we make too many mistakes” which lead strong starts to crumbling losses. These mistakes and inconsistent ball play have been appearing on both the offensive and defensive ends, showing that it has been a long season for both the players and Cubs faithful.
Happy for Trammel, who got his first win as manager in five games, noting that Piniella should be set to return to the bench by the beginning of the Cardinals series Friday.
Giant’s ace pitcher Tim Lincecum was unusually roughed up by the Cubs offense, and no one appreciated it more than Dempster, adding that “these guys came out and put a four-spot up against Lincecum and that’s not an easy thing to do” and the run support did not stop there. Giving up four runs in the first was the most Lincecum had ever allowed through his young career. After four innings the young right hander was pulled for his second earliest departure of his inconsistent season.
Dempster was pulled with two-outs in the 7th when San Francisco attempted a comeback off of what should have been the Cubs fourth error of the game when Tyler Colvin dropped a fly ball, allowing two runs to score. Mike Fontenot quickly got those runs back in the 8th when he doubled to drive in Alfonso Soriano and Koyie Hill.
Carlos Marmol, who has been one of few bright spots for the Cubs bullpen, had some trouble in the 9th allowing two runs off of a Buster Posey double that drove in a run, and was followed by a Pablo Sandoval single that brought Posey around the bases to score.
This victory was only the Cubs third win in fifteen games, and Geovany Soto is one player who does not want to get used to losing “Sometimes I just go to my room and get [ticked off].”
Tonight Chicago looks to begin a winning streak when Tom Gorzelanny (6-6) battles Barry Zito (8-6) in the third of a four game series against the Giants.
In the top of the 4th inning Starlin Castro drove in two more runs, giving him three for the afternoon, after singling to center to drive in Tyler Colvin and Ryan Dempster, putting the Cubs up 6-2.
Posted by michael, on Aug 11, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: chicago, cubs, dempster, fukudome, kosuke, lincecum, ryan, tim • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Stubbs snubs Cubs in series loss
W: Logan Ondrusek (3-0)
L: Randy Wells (5-10)
For the first time in 30 years the Cubs were shutout one game after scoring 15 runs, when they beat Milwaukee 15-3 earlier in the week, a feat that most MLB clubs never experience. After an uninspiring offensive showcase yesterday, the Cubs looked to get back on track against the Reds this afternoon at Wrigley.
Randy Wells took the mound for the Cubs, throwing an impressive 7.0IP and giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits. From the get go Wells was pitching nicely, retiring Cincinnatii in order through the first two innings. In the top of the 3rd Ramon Hernandez would single up the middle to drive in Drew Stubbs and give the Reds a 1-0 lead. Chicago would answer back in their half of the inning when Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly to right field to allow Kosuke Fukudome to tag up and score from third.
This game was more of a chess match through the first seven innings with Randy Wells and Edinson Volquez in a pitchers duel. Volquez, making only his fifth start of the season since Tommy John surgery, threw a solid 6.2IP surrendering just one earned run on six hits. His control through the first few innings was questionable, but he settled in and pitched pivotal double play balls to limit the Cubs to just one run against him.
The Reds, who hold winning records in each month of baseball this season, offered timely hitting and scoring to backup their pitchers. In the top of the 8th Drew Stubbs, who has already hit 4 homeruns against the Cubs this season, including a 3 homer game at Wrigley last July, cranked a leadoff homer (14) to give the Reds a 2-1 lead and force Wells out of the game. Cincinnati would increase their lead off of a Paul Janish single that drove in Bronson Arroyo, pitch running for Ramon Hernandez, and giving them a 3-1 lead.
Going into the 8th Chicago looked to creep back into the ballgame when Derrek Lee led off the inning with a walk, but no runner would make it passed 1st base as Ramirez, Berg and Soriano failed to get a hit.
In the 9th Cubs 2nd basemen Blake DeWitt made an error by dropping a shallow outfield popup that would allow Laynce Nix to make it second base. Drew Stubbs would get his third hit and second RBI of the game by singling to left field.
Wilson Cordero came in to pitch the 9th for the Reds, but could only produce one out before being yanked by Dusty Baker. Cordero gave up four walks, including a high fast ball that hit Starlin Castro with the bases loaded. After a pitching change, Derrek Lee would strikeout, but in the following at-bat Aramis Ramirez would draw another walk, the 5th of the inning. With the score now 4-3 and the Cubs scoring two runs without putting a ball in play, Marlon Byrd would strikeout to end the ballgame. Chicago now stands at 13-26 in one-run games, and drops to 47-63 on the season.
Posted by michael, on Aug 07, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: chicago, cincinatti, cubs, reds • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Cubs blanked by Arroyo
W: Bronson Arroyo (12-6)
L: Tom Gorzelanny (6-6)
Chicago had their opportunities to put some runs on the board this afternoon at Wrigley, but failed to do so against Cincinnati pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who improved to 12-6 on the season in the Reds 3-0 victory on Friday.
In what has become a season to forget for Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee, who are posting the lowest numbers in their career, the Cubs 3-5 hole hitters have not been able to step up to the call of duty, except for Marlon Byrd.
Tom Gorzelanny settled into a good rhythm after walking Jay Bruce and serving up a 2-run homerun to Ryan Hanigan (3) in the top of the second. That would be Gorzelanny’s biggest mistake this afternoon, throwing 7.0IP and giving up only 4 hits, and receiving no support from the Cubs offense. Cincinatti would tack on one more run in the top of the seventh when Brandon Phillips singled to left field, scoring Paul Janish, to give the Reds some extra insurance. It would not be needed.
Bronson Arroyo was masterful, throwing a 7.0IP five hit shutout, adding that “it makes it a little easier to pitch through that lineup” when Ramirez and Lee are off of their game. All-Star reliever Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero would pitch a hitless 8th and 9th innings for the hold and save.
The Cubs had plenty of chances, including a no-out situation with runners at 2nd and 3rd, but were unable to push any runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning. The club would finish going 0-6 with runners in scoring position. Chicago’s offensive woes continue, which has been as inconsistent as can be the entire season. Chicago left a combined 13 men on base and also had 9 strikeouts, which is not the formula to win games. Blake DeWitt, whom the Cubs acquired last week in the Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot trade, has been consistent so far in his stint with the Cubs, having seven hits through his first five games.
Andrew Cashner would pitch in relief of Gorzelanny in the 8th, giving up one two hits and no runs. Justin Berg would fair the same in the 9th, giving up only one hit.
Now faced with 17 straight games against the top NL ballclubs, the Cubs look to get back on track tomorrow when Randy Wells faced off against Edison Valquez at 12:05.
Posted by michael, on Aug 07, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: arroyo, bronson, chicago, cubs, gorzelanny, tom • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Cubs breakout bats in win
W: Ryan Dempster (8-7)
L: Manny Parra (3-9)
The Cubs snapped a seven-game losing skid Wednesday afternoon when they pounded the Brewers 15-3 at Wrigley.
Within the last week the Cubs had been embarrassed in high run ballgames, losing 18-1 and 17-2 respectively, and seemed to be throwing in the towel for the season. Their bats woke up today after teeing off on Brewer’s pitching for 15 runs on 16 hits.
Ryan Dempster pitched for the Cubs, going a strong 6IP and only giving up 3 hits and 3 runs, none of which were earned. His first set of run support came in the 3rd inning off of a Tyler Colvin solo homer (17) that put the Cubs up 1-0. Milwaukee struck back quickly in the 5th off of a Jeff Baker throwing error that allowed Jim Edmonds to score tieing the ballgame 1-1. The Brewers would then take the lead in the following at-bat when Corey Hart doubled to left field scoring two runs (75) and making the game 3-1.
Chicago would take the lead back for good in the 6th behind a 3-run (52) Aramis Ramirez home run (16) that would wrap up a 6 run inning and give the Cubs a 7-3 lead.
Carlos Zambrano would pitch a scoreless 7th in relief of Dempster, giving up one hit and one walk. This will probably be one of Big Z’s last relief appearances before he makes his first start since June 25th next Monday against the Giants.
In the 7th the Cub offense would continue behind a Geovany Soto 3-run (45) blast of his own (15) that would increase the Brewer deficit 10-3. The fireworks would not stop there, as the Cubs posted a 5 run 8th inning that was marked by Blake DeWitt’s first homerun as a Cub when he hit a 3-run shot to give the Cubs a final 15-3 win. Behind all of the Cubs offense, Starlin Castro missed hitting for the cycle by a homerun, as he set a career high in hits with four.
Sean Marshall and Mitch Atkins would pitch scoreless 8th and 9th innings to closeout the ball game, each giving up one hit a piece and a combined five strikeouts.
Manager Lou Piniella enjoyed the Cubs big win as much as the fans did, as he noted that “It’s good to win a ballgame, it’s been awhile.”
Posted by michael, on Aug 05, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: 15, aramis, august, chicago, cubs, geovany, ramirez, soto • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Walk-off homer spoils Zambrano comeback
W: Huston Street (2-2)
L: Sean Marshall (6-3)
For the first time since Carlos Zambrano’s breakdown in the Cubs dugout during a match up versus the White Sox, Big Z took his spot in the Cubs bullpen, albeit his comeback would not be so sweet.
After an embarrassing 17-2 loss last night to Colorado, the Cubs looked for revenge as they bid farewell to their traded teammates Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot.
Tom Gorzellany started for the Cubs, giving up 5 ER over 6.1IP, needless to say, he did not display the same pitching dominance he held in his previous start. Colorado got on the board early when Miguel Olivio (13) launched a three-run homer in the 2nd, scoring Melvin Mora and Ryan Spilborghs. The scoring continued in the 3rd inning when Melvin Mora singled to left field to drive in Carlos Gonzalez and put the Rockies up 4-0.
Rockie’s hurler Jason Hamel battled Cub hitters through 7.1IP, giving up 6 hits and and 4 ER. Though he received a no decision in the contest, Hammel managed to strike out 5 while giving up no walks, making very few mistakes from a pitchers standpoint.
Chicago would not go down lightly when they cut the lead in half in the 5th when Alfonso Soriano doubled to left field, driving in (53) Marlon Byrd. Soriano would advance to 3rd base on a heads up base running play. Geovany Soto would step up to the plate, hitting a sacrifice fly (39) to allow Soriano to trot home from 3rd base, making it a 4-2 ball game.
Colorado would add one more insurance run in the 7th inning off of a Carlos Gonzalez sacrifice fly (68), allowing Dexter Fowler to score. Zambrano was impressive in his return, going 0.2IP with 1 hit and walk in relief of Gorzellany in the 7th. Big Z would inherit one runner on 2nd, and would walk Troy Toluwitzki, the first batter Zambrano would face. With two on and only one out, Zambrano would strike out Seth Smith, and get Brad Hawpe to pop-out and end the inning.
Mike Fontenot, who should see an increase in playing time with the Ryan Theriot trade, led off the 8th with a single, and after a Kosuke Fukudome strikeout, would move to 2nd base off of a Tyler Colvin single. After a Starlin Castro strikeout, Derrek Lee would come to the plate with two outs and tie the game at 5-5 with a three-run (48) homer (13). Sean Marshall would come in to pitch a scoreless 8th, but would give up the pivotal hit in the 9th.
Carlos Gonzalez, the star of the game, would be the first batter Marshall would face in the bottom of the 9th. Enjoying the most memorable game of his young career, the 24 year old left fielder hit a single in the 1st, triple in the 3rd, double in the 5th, and finished with a walk-off home run to hit for the cycle, leading the Rockies to a 6-5 victory. Going 4-4 with a sacrifice fly, Gonzalez became the 6th player in Rockies history to hit for the cycle. The modest youngster enjoyed the victory as much as his performance, remarking that “I hope I’m not going to be the last one.”
The Cubs were aware of the recent surge in Gonzalez’s play, who finished July batting .357 with 20 RBIs and 8 HRs. After the game, Marshall stated “He’s the guy in the lineup that we didn’t want to beat us, and I went in and challenged him and he beat us.”
Chicago will try to avoid the sweep in the series finale tomorrow at 3:10 CST
Posted by michael, on Aug 01, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: carlos, chicago, cubs, cycle, gonzalez, rockies, zambrano • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
So long Lilly & Theriot
Jim Hendry pulled the trigger on a move the entire baseball world had been assuming would happen, the trade of Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot.
On Saturday morning Hendry sent left hander Ted Lilly and infielder Ryan Theriot to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Blake Dewitt, and two pitching prospects. The Cubs will also receive cash considerations to help pay for remaining portions of both players contracts. The move comes just before the trade deadline, with the Dodgers expecting to get Manny Ramirez back later this week and start their push for a post-season birth. As of today the Dodgers are 7.0 games back of the NL West leading Padres and 4.5 games back of the NL Wild Card leading Giants.
The Cubs roster is bound for changes until next season. Derrek Lee’s contract is up in the summer, and no one knows what the plans are for resigning him. Alfonso Soriano is set to make $19million this season with Aramis Ramirez close behind at $16.7mill. These are two contracts the Cubs would probably love to get rid of in the off season, with the ballclub holding the third highest payroll in MLB behind the Yankees and Red Sox. Sorry Jim, money spent does not equate to winning ball games, unless you are the Yankees of course.
Through 82 games this season DeWitt is batting .270 with 1 homerun and 30 RBIs, almost identical to Theriot’s .284, 1 homerun and 21 RBIs. This move shows Cubs fans that Starlin Castro is the future of the infield, and will be partnered up with DeWitt and Mike Fontenot to turn double plays the rest of the season.
The Cubs also received pitching prospects Brett Wallach, 21, and Kyle Smit, 22. Wallach has been stellar all season at Single A-Great Lakes, going 6-0 with a 3.72ERA and limiting batters to a .232 average. The right hander was selected by the Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft and was listed as their 20th top prospect.
Smit has split the season with Single A-Inland and Double A-Chattanooga, going 5-3 with 6 saves over 37 appearances (53.2IP). He made just one start and compiled a 2.35ERA.
It is a sad day to see Lilly and “The Riot” go, as they were two of the Cubs faithful favorite players. Not to mention Lilly always reminded me of a sad puppy dog, something similar to Droopy. Theriot, well, as great as he was the first few seasons of his big league career, he was inconsistent at the plate this year, and I am sure every woman in Wrigleyville is sad to see the former LSU star go.
Posted by michael, on Jul 31, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: chicago, cubs, hendry, jim, lilly, ryan, ted, theriot, Trade • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Lee stays in a Cubs uniform
Derrek Lee spent the last 24hours contemplating over a deal that would have shipped the Gold Glove first basemen to the Angels in the AL West, but in the end, Lee stated that “the best thing to do was to stay here”. The Cubs first basemen has been in the majors for 10 years, five with the Marlins and now five with the Cubs, giving Lee the right to veto any proposed trade to another ball club. Good for the Cubs. Piniella himself was impressed as he asked Derrek during the 7th inning about the possible move, “as a manager, I couldn’t be more pleased” Lou told him.
To the surprise of Cubs fans, Lee is building a new home in Southern California, and although it is not finished yet, the house had nothing to do with Lee’s decision. Derrek has been traded twice before, most recently when the Cubs nabbed the 6’5 first basemen from the Marlins, but neither was in-season.
From a fan’s perspective this definitely gives Lee some brownie points with the North Side Faithful. Though the Angels are not at the very top of the contender list, they still have a great chance of making it to the post-season and giving themselves an opportunity to win, which is something the Cubs probably will not be engaged in this season.
Lee has been unusually off pace so far this year in comparison to his past numbers, and addressed that to the media by stating “You guys know I’m having a terrible season”, showing the no-excuse mindset Lee displays through his leadership. It also saves the Cubs the devastation of having to start Xavier Nady at first the rest of the season, or worse, bring back Micah Hoffauir.
The two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover will become a free agent in the off season, and though he is batting a dismal .238 with 11 homeruns and 44 RBIs, teams will be after him. When rejecting the trade to the Angels, Lee added “There’s no secret I enjoy Chicago”.
Posted by michael, on Jul 29, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: angels, chicago, cubs, derrek, lee, Trade • No Comments • Spread on Twitter
Cub bats stay dorment in loss
W: Randy Wells (5-8)
L: Bud Norris (3-7)
After dropping a disappointing offensive game to the Astros last night, the Cubs looked to rebound against Houston to take their second-consecutive series win against a central division rival this year.
Randy Wells, who was outstanding in his last start against the Cardinals, was given early run support off of an Aramis Ramirez sac-fly allowing Ryan Theriot to score from 3rd. The Astros were threatening in the 4th with runners at the corners with no outs, but Wells was able to pitch out of the inning without giving up a run.
Wells would not fair the same way in the 6th when Hunter Pence hit an RBI double to drive in Lance Berkman. The Cubs hurler would only last 5.2IP after giving up 3 ER on 5 hits. The Astros offense would continue when the Cub Killer himself, Carlos Lee, launched a pair of two-run homers to put the Astros up 5-1.
Bud Norris pitched one of his best outings of the year after going 6IP and giving up only 4 hits with no earned runs.
Young pitching has been an unbalanced streak of good and evil, and today the Astro batters gave the kids plenty of problems. Brian Schlitter, appearing in his 5th MLB game, served Carlos Lee his second homerun of the game after pitching just one inning and giving up 4 hits.
Bob Howry would come into the game to replace Schlitter in the 8th and would have the worst outing of all Cub pitchers for the day. Howry, whom was brought in to add veteran leadership to a young bullpen, entered the game with a 10.13 ERA in just 8IP through the month of July. His outing was brief, just 0.2IP giving up 3 ER on 4 hits, and stretched the Astros lead to 8-1.
There would be no offensive explosion for the Cubs in the later innings, as they dropped the series finale 8-1.
Posted by michael, on Jul 28, 2010 • Category: Cubs, Featured• Tags: chicago, cubs, randy, wells • No Comments • Spread on Twitter