Results tagged ‘ Chicago Cubs ’
Camp sent to DL; Dolis recalled
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The Chicago Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher Shawn Camp on the 15-day disabled list with a right big toe sprain and recalled right-handed pitcher Rafael Dolis from Triple-A Iowa.
Dolis, 25, is 1-0 with one save and a 5.40 ERA in 12 relief appearances (11.2 IP) with Iowa this season. This is already the third time he’s been with the big club, as he was up for brief stints from April 13-15 and May 6-8. He has appeared in two big league games in 2013, giving up no earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched. Dolis, who made the Opening Day roster in 2012, and has seen action with the Cubs each of the last three seasons, going 2-4 with four saves and a 5.93 ERA in 37 career big league relief appearances.
Camp, 37, is 1-1 with a 7.56 ERA (14 ER/16.2 IP) in 20 relief appearances this season.
Cubs minor league recap: 5/21/13
Brian Bogusevic collected two homers in a doubleheader set Tuesday. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa swept a doubleheader, Daytona’s late offensive outburst led to victory and Tennessee fell in a narrow 11-inning loss Tuesday. Kane County had the day off, but the Cougars return to the field tonight at Peoria. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action.
Iowa Cubs (18-24)
Game 1: Iowa scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off with a 2-1 victory over Las Vegas in the first game of a doubleheader.
- RF Brian Bogusevic (1-for-3, HR, R, RBI) hit a game-tying home run, leading off the bottom of the seventh.
- SS Donnie Murphy (.286) went 1-for-3, driving in the game-winning run with a two-out RBI-single.
- RHP Esmailin Caridad (3 IP, H, BB, 2 K) tossed a season-high, 3.0-scoreless frames.
- RHP Rafael Dolis (IP, BB, 3 K) earned his first win, striking out three in a scoreless seventh frame.
Game 2: Las Vegas scored five runs in the sixth inning to tie the game, but Iowa answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, winning 6-5 and sweeping the doubleheader.
- CF Brian Bogusevic (.368) homered in both games of the doubleheader, including a go-ahead blast in the bottom of the sixth inning. He finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and a RBI (17), extending his hitting streak to three games (.444/4-for-9).
- LF Darnell McDonald (.221) collected two doubles (5) and two RBI (10) in four at-bats.
- RF Dave Sappelt (.261) extended his hitting streak to three games (.500/5-for-10), going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI (9).
- RHP Zach Putnam (IP, BB, K) converted his sixth save of the season.
Tennessee Smokies (23-21)
Chattanooga walked-off with a 5-4, 11-inning victory over Tennessee.
- CF Rubi Silva (.265) went 2-for-5 with a triple (5) and two RBI. He has reached base five times in his last 10 plate appearances.
- LF Tim Torres (.280) collected his third multi-hit game this month, going 2-for-5 with a double (4) and a run.
- SS Elliot Soto (.143) collected his first multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-5 with a run scored.
- 3B Christian Villanueva (.265) extended his hitting streak to five games (.400/8-for-20) with a first-inning double.
Daytona Cubs (22-21)
Daytona scored five runs in the 10th inning, pulling away from Jupiter, 7-2.
- SS Javier Baez (.268) extended his hitting streak to eight games (.394/13-for-33), going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base (4).
- 3B Ben Carhart (.272) went 3-for-5 with a double (11) and a run scored.
- RF Jorge Soler (.299) went 2-for-4 with two RBI (20). He is hitting .462 (12-for-26) with five runs and four RBI over his last six games.
- C Chad Noble (.231) and DH Chadd Krist (.345) each went 2-for-4.
Series 15 Preview: Cubs at Pirates
Russell Martin has played a big role in the Pirates’ early-season success. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Cubs head to Pittsburgh, where the Pirates have established themselves as one of the NL Central’s top three teams. Winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Bucs sit at 26-18—just two games back of the division-leading Cardinals. PNC Park generally plays as a pitcher-friendly stadium. With the Pirates’ deep pitching staff, runs could be at a premium in the next few days.
4.0 RS/G 11th in NL
At the plate, the Pirates have been somewhat of a stars-and-scrubs affair thus far. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Starling Marte form an outstanding one-two punch that will be in Pittsburgh for years to come. Both can hit, hit for power, steal bases and play the field. Marte does have nine walks to 45 strikeouts in 197 plate appearances, however, so he’ll be challenged to harness his free-swinging ways as pitchers adjust to him. Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez are a very good left-right tandem at first base—expect Jones to start against the Cubs’ three right-handers scheduled to pitch, while Sanchez will offer protection against lefty James Russell. Catcher Russell Martin is looking like a steal at two years and $17 million. The 30-year-old has a great reputation for calling a game, and he’s the team’s most productive hitter through 44 games. But the rest of the infield has struggled offensively. Second baseman Neil Walker, shortstop Clint Barmes and third baseman Pedro Alvarez are each hitting in the low .200s. Barmes offers great defense, but Walker and Alvarez don’t.
3.6 RA/G, 4th in NL
The Cubs will miss resurgent 36-year-old A.J. Burnett, as well as breakout left-hander Jeff Locke. But there has been little drop off between them and veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez, who toes the rubber Tuesday. Cubs fans have seen him for years in a Houston uniform. He brings a big, sweeping curve that will get lefties flailing and tie up righties. His control is much improved from his earlier days, though the increased use of his two-seam fastball has cost him some strikeouts. Francisco Liriano and Jeanmar Gomez follow, having stepped into the rotation due to injuries and attrition. Liriano is back to sitting in the 93-mph range and has been effective through two starts, despite his usual free passes. Lefties will have to watch for his four-seam fastball and slider combo, while righties will also see a two-seamer and change-up. Gomez was a minor offseason acquisition from the Indians, and he’s made great use of his heavy sinker in starts and relief so far. After getting a great deal of attention from GM Neal Huntington, the back end of the bullpen has been a revelation for the Pirates. Jason Grilli was bumped from setup duty to the ninth inning, and he boasts a 0.92 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 19.2 innings. Justin Wilson, who has a big fastball from the left side and mixes in a nasty cutter that plays against both hands, pairs with new addition Mark Melancon as the squad’s late-inning setup men.
—Sean Ahmed
Daytona Cubs’ Geiger named FSL Player of the Week
(Aldrin Capulong/Daytona Cubs)
At the outset of the season, everyone knew the Daytona Cubs’ roster was loaded with talent. Now the individual accolades are starting to pile up. On Monday, the Florida State League announced Cubs infielder Dustin Geiger was the league’s player of the week for the week ending May 19.
In the eight games during that stretch, the 21-year-old batted .469 (15-for-32) with a pair of homers, seven doubles, a triple, seven runs driven in and six runs scored. This season, the Merritt Island, Fla., native is hitting .333 with five home runs and a league-leading 36 RBI.
Geiger, a 24th round pick in the 2010 draft, joins outfielder Jorge Soler, shortstop Javier Baez and right-handed pitcher Ryan Searle as Daytona Cubs to win the award this season.
Cubs acquire RHP Sanchez from St. Louis
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Eduardo Sanchez off waivers Tuesday afternoon. The 24-year-old spent parts of the last two seasons in the majors with the Cardinals, going a combined 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA and five saves over 45 innings. He’s fanned 48 batters and held opponents to a .166 OBA.
The reliever appeared in nine games for Triple-A Memphis this season, recording a 3.72 ERA with a save in 9.2 innings pitched.
Sanchez made his major league debut in 2011, going 3-1 with five saves and a 1.80 ERA. He jumped between St. Louis and the minors last year, going 0-1 with a 6.60 ERA.
Sanchez will be assigned to Triple-A Iowa.
Cubs minor league recap: 5/20/13
Christian Villanueva continued his hit streak Monday. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Tennessee split a doubleheader while Daytona and Kane County were on the losing end of their games Monday. Iowa’s game was rained out and will be made up Tuesday as part of a doubleheader. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Tennessee Smokies (23-20)
Game 1: Tennessee won its fourth straight game, defeating Chattanooga 9-2 in the first game of a doubleheader.
- SS Arismendy Alcantara (.270) collected his second consecutive three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with two doubles (10), two runs scored and two RBI (22).
- C Rafael Lopez (.275) went 2-for-4 with a run scored, extending his hitting streak to six games (.360/9-for-25).
- RF Rubi Silva (.260) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI (21).
- RHP Alberto Cabrera earned his fourth win, tossing a seven-inning complete game. He has allowed only three runs on 10 hits in his last two starts (14 IP).
Game 2: Tennessee could not complete the doubleheader sweep, mustering five hits in a 1-0 setback in the nightcap.
- 3B Christian Villanueva (2-for-3) extended his hitting streak to four games (.438/7-for-16) with a first-inning single.
- LHP Eric Jokisch tossed his sixth quality start in nine games and added a double at the plate (1-for-2).
Daytona Cubs (21-21)
Jupiter broke open a 1-1 tie with a three-run, eighth inning, defeating Daytona 4-1 in the opener of a four-game set.
- SS Javier Baez (.262) extended his hitting streak to seven games (.379/11-for-29), going 2-for-4 with two doubles (11) and a RBI (24).
- CF Zeke DeVoss (.214) went 2-for-3, collecting his second consecutive multi-hit game.
- Prior to the game, 1B Dustin Geiger (0-for-3, BB) was named Florida State League Player of the Week after batting .469 (15-for-32) with two home runs, one triple, seven doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored in eight games.
Kane County Cougars (20-22)
Kane County suffered an 8-7 loss for the second straight day, losing its third game in four tries against Cedar Rapids.
- 3B Jeimer Candelario (.267) recorded his first four-hit game of the season and his fourth multi-hit game in the last five. He went 4-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI (12), hitting safely in six-straight games (.480/12-for-25).
- 2B Gioskar Amaya (.260) went 2-for-4 with a walk, two doubles (10) and two runs scored.
- 1B Dan Vogelbach collected two hits and two RBI (25) in five at-bats.
1000 Words: He’s Baaaaack
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The Cubs team strength should get even stronger tonight in Pittsburgh. After a 10-month absence, right-hander Matt Garza will make his highly anticipated debut as the Cubs take on the division rival Pirates. To make room for him in the starting rotation, Carlos Villanueva has been moved to the bullpen.
Garza’s last start was on July 21, 2012, before a stress reaction in his right elbow shut him down for the season. He came into the spring healthy, but suffered a left lat strain in his first bullpen session in Mesa, Ariz, and has been on the DL all year. In his last start with Triple-A Iowa on May 16, he went six scoreless innings on 75 pitches, walking none and striking out six. Garza has said he hopes there will be no limitations on him in his first outing, but manager Dale Sveum will likely keep the veteran at 85-90 pitches.
In two seasons with the Cubs, Garza is 15-17 with a 3.52 ERA in 49 games (301.2 IP).
Cubs struggling to bring runners in
Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is one of the few Cubs hitting well with runners in scoring position. (Photo by Stephen Green)
On many occasions throughout Cubs manager Dale Sveum’s tenure, he has made it clear that slugging percentage (total bases divided by at-bats) is his go-to number when evaluating a player’s approach at the plate.
On paper, the 2013 Cubs’ power stats look good. The team’s .420 slugging percentage is second best in the National League, largely thanks to the squad’s 48 homers (third in NL) and whopping 101 doubles (15 more than the next-highest NL total). But like many stats, these numbers can be a bit deceiving. While displaying strong power stats is never a bad thing, baseball is predicated on timely hitting. As the graph below indicates, the Cubs struggle with men in scoring position compared with other NL teams.
The Cubs sit in the top five of most common statistical categories with nobody on base, but those same numbers drop drastically with men on second and/or third. It’s interesting to note that their home run and doubles don’t decrease, though the slash line takes a huge hit. We also looked at the eight regular position players to see how they have fared with the bases empty versus with runners in scoring position.
Of the eight regulars, just two are hitting better with runners in scoring position than with the bases empty. And while Starlin Castro and Luis Valbuena have a higher slugging percentage with runners in scoring position, the same cannot be said for the rest of the team.
The basic stats make it look like the Cubs have one of the better offenses in the National League, but they’re going to need some more timely hitting for those stats to have an impact in the standings.
Cubs minor league recap: 5/19/13
Nick Struck captured his second victory of the season Sunday. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa held off a short-lived comeback attempt, Daytona battled back to grab a win, Kane County’s late push fell short and Tennessee was rained out. Here are some highlights from Sunday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (16-24)
Iowa led 7-2 after five innings and held on for a 7-3 victory over Tucson, splitting the four-game set.
- 1B Brad Nelson (.286) went 2-for-4 with a double (8), a homer (7), two runs and a season-high five RBI (31).
- CF Dave Sappelt (.225) collected his second multi-hit effort in his last three games, going 2-for-4 with two runs.
- SS Donnie Murphy (.284) singled and homered in four at-bats, hitting safely for the eighth time in nine games.
- RHP Nick Struck earned his second consecutive win after starting the season winless in his first five starts.
Daytona Cubs (21-20)
Daytona came from behind to defeat Lakeland 5-4, sweeping the four-game, road series.
- DH Dustin Geiger (.333) blasted a go-ahead, solo home run in the eighth inning, extending his hitting streak to seven games (.536/15-for-28).
- 1B Taylor Davis (.240) collected his first multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- SS Javier Baez (.256) extended his hitting streak to six games (.360/9-for-25), going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run.
- LHP Jeff Lorick (2-0, 0.00) scattered three hits in two scoreless frames, earning the win in relief. He has yet to allow a run in 5.1 innings this season (four appearances).
- RHP Luis Liria (2 IP) converted his first save in his third-straight, scoreless appearance (5 IP).
Kane County Cougars (20-21)
Kane County scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning, tying the game 7-7 at Cedar Rapids, but fell in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth, 8-7.
- RF Bijan Rademacher (.343) collected his third, multi-hit effort in his last six games, going 2-for-4 with two runs.
- 3B Jeimer Candelario (.248) went 2-for-4 with a double (15) and a run scored. He has hit safely in five-straight games (.400/8-for-20).
- LF Rock Shoulders (.300) hit his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth inning.
- SS David Bote (.182) went 1-for-4 with his first home run of the season, a game-tying, two-run blast with two outs in the ninth inning.
Cubs minor league recap: 5/16/13
Jonathan Mota claimed his fifth two-hit game of the season Thursday. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa and Tennessee both tallied a win Thursday, while Kane County split its doubleheader and Daytona continued to struggle in its fourth-straight loss. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (15-22)
Matt Garza and Brooks Raley combined on a four-hitter in a 1-0 victory vs. Tucson.
- RHP Matt Garza threw 75 pitches, 53 for strikes, in his fourth rehab start. He faced twenty batters, allowing two singles while striking out six.
- LHP Brooks Raley walked one and allowed two hits in a three scoreless innings of relief, converting his first save.
- SS Donnie Murphy (.254) went 1-for-2 with a stolen base (3) and knocked in the game’s only run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.
- CF Dave Sappelt (.167) scored a run for the fourth consecutive game in a 1-for-4 effort.
Tennessee Smokies (20-19)
The Smokies defeated host Jackson 6-4 behind two home runs from DH Ty Wright.
- DH Ty Wright (.254) hit two-run homers in the first and third innings and collected season-highs in both runs scored (2) and RBI (4).
- 2B Arismendy Alcantara (.252) went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He’s hit safely in five of six games.
- 1B Jonathan Mota (.238) recorded his fifth two-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- C Rafael Lopez (.266) went 2-for-4 with a RBI, extending his hitting streak to four games (.353/6-for-17).
- RHP A.J. Morris (3 IP, 3 K) tossed 3.0-perfect innings, earning his second win of the season.
Daytona Cubs (17-20)
Daytona lost its fourth-consecutive game, falling 12-7 to the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
- 1B Dustin Geiger (.298) went 3-for-5 with a double (6), a homer, two runs scored and his team-leading 30th RBI.
- DH Chadd Krist (.500) went 3-for-3 with two doubles (2), a run scored and five RBI.
- 3B Ben Carhart (.287) scored two runs, going 1-for-4 with a walk.
- LF Taiwan Easterling (.234) went 1-for-4 with a RBI (12) and a stolen base (5).
- RHP Hunter Cervenka (IP, H) has not allowed an earned run in his last seven relief appearances (14.2 IP).
Kane County Cougars (19-19)
Game 1: Kane County scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away from Peoria, 5-0, in the first game of a doubleheader.
- 2B Gioskar Amaya (3-for-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI) recorded a season-high three RBI.
- SS Marco Hernandez (3-for-3, 2 R) collected his third multi-hit effort in the last four games.
- C Willson Contreras (.307) recorded his third-straight, multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
- LF Pin-Chieh Chen (.254) went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a RBI (9).
Game 2: Peoria scored six runs in the third inning to defeat Kane County, 6-2, in the nightcap.
- SS Marco Hernandez (.271) extended his hitting streak to three games (.333/6-for-9) with a second-inning, two-run homer.
- 3B Jeimer Candelario (.235) went 2-for-3 with two doubles (12).
- RHP Steve Perakslis (3 IP, 3 H, 2 K) threw a season-high 3.0 innings.
- Kane County committed six errors leading to six unearned runs.
