Results tagged ‘ Chicago Cubs ’
Help the Cubs “Pink Out” the Bleachers for breast cancer awareness
(Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty)
Celebrate Mother’s Day a little early this season by joining the Cubs and Advocate Health Care on Wednesday, May 8, for Chicago Cubs Charities’ first “Pink Out” in the Bleachers. Each fan attending the game in the Budweiser Bleachers will receive a “Pink Out” hat, which will be handed out at the gates by Cubs players’ and coaches’ wives, to celebrate survivors and promote breast cancer awareness.
Fans throughout the ballpark are also encouraged to wear pink that day. If your wardrobe is a little light on pink, the Cubs Store, located across from Wrigley Field at the corner of Clark and Addison streets, will display a “Pink Out” section with pink merchandise. Fans will notice other pink touches throughout the ballpark as well, such as a temporary pink ribbon on the outfield wall, pink hats worn by the grounds crew and more.
All fans in attendance on May 8 are encouraged to participate in the Chicago Cubs Charities 50/50 Raffle, as proceeds will benefit mammograms for under- and uninsured women through the Advocate Charitable Foundation.
The Cubs and Advocate will also honor breast cancer survivors during game ceremonies. The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by a breast cancer survivor, as well as Major League Baseball’s 2013 Honorary Bat Girl Contest winner, who was selected after submitting a story about “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer;” the National Anthem will be sung by 40 members of the Sing to Live Community Chorus, which is comprised of singers whose lives have been touched by breast cancer; and three breast cancer survivors will lead the afternoon’s seventh-inning stretch from the broadcast booth. In addition, Advocate will bring more than 50 survivors to enjoy the game in the stands.
Fans can purchase tickets and find more information at www.cubs.com/pink.
Garza back at Wrigley after making season debut
(Photo by Stephen Green)
A little rain wasn’t going to stop Matt Garza. With elbow and lat issues keeping the the 29-year-old out of action since July and rehab stints getting pushed back by rain and a dead arm, it’s been awhile since he’s taken the mound in a competitive atmosphere.
“I didn’t think there was anything that was going to stop me from going out there,” Garza said of his rainy Wednesday return with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. “A long delay—I sat on a bike for a long time.”
Poor whether caused the game to be delayed for more than an hour and a half, and it was eventually called in the bottom of the fifth. But Garza had a successful, pain-free outing, going 2.2 innings (42 pitches), with one earned run on one hit and two walks. He was back at Wrigley Field on Thursday to check in with the major league squad before heading out to Iowa for his second rehab start on Monday.
“I was just glad to throw strikes, glad they were swinging. It’s a good sign,” Garza said. “I put the ball in the zone a lot, so that’s all I was looking for.”
The right-hander has been on the DL since July 21 of last season after aggravating his throwing elbow. Then early in the spring, he tweaked his lat, causing him to miss all of Spring Training. Manager Dale Sveum said the club would make some decisions about a potential return to the big league club after Garza’s third rehab start. Even though the ace can finally see the light at the end of a very long tunnel, he said his focus is solely on his Monday start.
“I’m just looking forward to [start] No. 2,” he said. “When I get to three, we’ll make those decisions. But right now, I’m just going to prep my body for No. 2, prep my mind for No. 2—going to go from there.”
Garza was 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 103.2 innings for the Cubs in 2012.
Cubs minor league recap: 5/1/13
Second baseman Logan Watkins recorded his fourth multi-hit game in five days with the I-Cubs. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Tennessee and Kane County both secured a win Wednesday while Iowa and Daytona struggled to find power at the plate. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (9-16)
Iowa mustered only four hits in a 1-0 setback vs. visiting Round Rock.
- 2B Logan Watkins (.279) went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk, reaching base all four times. He recorded his fourth multi-hit game in five days (.450/9-for-20).
- DH Ryan Sweeney (.351) went 1-for-4 and has hit safely in 17 of 21 games this season.
- 3B Ian Stewart (.091) went 0-for-4 in the 13th game of his rehabilitation assignment.
- LHP Chris Rusin struck out a season-best five batters in 7.0 innings, tying his longest outing of the season.
Tennessee Smokies (14-11)
Tennessee fell 3-0 in a rain-shortened, 5.0-inning game at Mississippi.
- RHP Matt Garza threw 42 pitches (25 strikes), facing 10 batters in his first rehab start with Tennessee. He collected six groundouts, a flyout, walked two and allowed a single.
- LF Rubi Silva (.298) went 1-for-2 with a single.
- C Rafael Lopez (.208) collected a base hit for the seventh time in eight games.
Daytona Cubs (14-12)
Daytona defeated Palm Beach 3-1, completing a four-game sweep of the Cardinals. The D-Cubs have won six of their last seven games.
- 3B Ben Carhart (.312) registered his third multi-RBI game in four days, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, two doubles (10) and two RBI (15). He extended his hitting streak to seven games (.520/13-for-25).
- 2B Tony Giansanti (.296) went 2-for-3 with a RBI (3) in his first start at second base this season.
- RF Jorge Soler (.275) doubled (5), stole a base (2) and scored a run as part of a 1-for-3 outing.
- RHP Ben Wells pitched a season-best 7.0 innings, allowing only four batters to reach base.
Kane County Cougars (10-13)
Dan Vogelbach hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning, giving Kane County a 5-4 victory over Bowling Green in the opener of a three-game set.
- Vogelbach (.309) extended his hitting streak to five games (.400/8-for-20) with the 10th-inning RBI single (1-for-5, 2 RBI).
- RF Pin-Chieh Chen (.254) recorded his second-consecutive, multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 with a double (3), a stolen base (5) and two runs scored.
- 2B Gioskar Amaya (.244) went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double (4) and a run scored.
- RHP Pierce Johnson pitched into the seventh inning for the first time this season. He has struck out 25 while walking seven in five starts (24.2 IP).
Now Playing: Stretching Out with Fergie Jenkins
Prior to the Cubs’ home opener, starter Edwin Jackson probably could have learned a thing or two from the man taking the mound before him. Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins was on hand, along with fellow Hall of Famer and former teammate Billy Williams, to throw out the first pitch of the season at Wrigley Field. Arguably the best Cubs pitcher of all time, Jenkins tallied six consecutive 20-win seasons for the North Siders and won 284 games in his 19-year career. He talked to Vine Line about the enduring allure of Wrigley Field and getting back on the mound for the first pitch of the season.
To read the entire article, pick up the May issue of Vine Line.
Cubs minor league recap: 4/30/13
Infielder Brent Lillibridge has hit safely in seven of eight games in Iowa. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa, Daytona and Kane County all earned victories while Tennessee had the day off Monday. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (9-15)
Iowa recorded six extra-base hits in a 7-2 victory over visiting Round Rock.
- RHP Guillermo Moscoso (1-0) started and pitched five innings, surrendering one earned run on three hits and striking out six for the win.
- CF Brian Bogusevic (.420) extended his hitting streak to 11 games, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two doubles (7), a triple (1) and one RBI (10). He’s hitting .475 (19-for-40) during the streak.
- 1B Brad Nelson (.244) reached base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs, a homer and two RBI (19).
- LF Brent Lillibridge (.419) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a home run and one RBI (4). He has hit safely in seven of his first eight games with Iowa.
- 3B Ian Stewart (.100) went 0-for-4 in the 12th game of his rehabilitation assignment.
- RHP Casey Coleman (3.38) and RHP Rafael Dolis (3.52) each tossed a scoreless inning of relief. Dolis is holding left-handed hitters to a .118 batting average (2-for-17).
Daytona Cubs (13-12)
Daytona used a five-run seventh inning to rout visiting Palm Beach, 11-4. The D-Cubs have won three in a row and five of their last six games.
- RHP Zach Cates (3-2) didn’t surrender a hit in six innings, striking out seven and walking three. He has not allowed a run in his last 12.1 innings.
- CF Zeke DeVoss (.244) recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the campaign, going 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored, a double (3) and one RBI (13).
- SS Javier Baez (.262), the reigning FSL Player of the Week, extended his hitting streak to a season-high six games, going 1-for-5 with a run scored, a double (7) and two RBI (17).
- 3B Ben Carhart (.300) registered his fifth multi-RBI game of the season, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double (8) and two RBI (13).
Kane County Cougars (9-13)
Kane County scored nine runs in the final three innings, defeating Lake County 13-9. The two teams combined for 22 runs, 32 hits and 13 extra-base hits.
- 1B Dan Vogelbach (.315) homered for the third-straight game, going 4-for-6 with the home run (5) and two RBI (14).
- RF Pin-Chieh Chen (.242) went 4-for-6 with a run scored, a double (2) and three RBI (6).
- LF Rock Shoulders (.370) and SS Wes Darvill (.375) each scored three runs while adding two hits apiece.
- C Yaniel Cabezas (.545) recorded his second straight, three-hit game, going 3-for-6 with two RBI (3).
- DH Willson Contreras (.326) went 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored, a home run and one RBI (10).
- RHP Justin Amlung (3-0, 4.76) earned the win, tossing 3.0 innings of one-run relief.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Q&A with Nate Schierholtz
(Photo by Stephen Green)
When Nate Schierholtz pulled on a Phillies uniform in mid-2012, it was the first time in his career he played for an organization other than the Giants. The third baseman turned outfielder appeared mostly as a pinch-hitter or late-inning defensive replacement in San Francisco before earning some regular playing time in 2010 and 2011. The 29-year-old veteran, who has six seasons and a World Series ring under his belt, came to Chicago in hopes of finding a more regular role in Wrigley Field’s right-field corner. If he keeps up his current pace, he should be just fine. In 23 games with the Cubs, Schierholtz has hit .284/.338/.527 (AVG/OBP/SLG) and played stellar defense. For the May issue of Vine Line, we talked to the first-year Cub about what it was like leaving the Giants, how he spends his free time and winning the big one.
GIANT CHANGE It was a little bit of a shock putting on a new uniform for the first time [after getting traded from the Giants to the Phillies last season]. But after that, it’s still the same game, and you make new friends and settle in. I feel more comfortable this year than I did when I was traded last year. It’s a different situation, and I have a better plan than in the past. I’m looking forward to getting a better opportunity.
COMING TO CHICAGO It started with talking to Dale [Sveum] about my situation and the opportunity to play more than I have in the past. There were a lot of factors that went into it. I loved coming to Chicago. It was always a city I looked forward to coming to. I loved playing at Wrigley. There’s a lot of history behind it, and I know [the Cubs] have great fans. I just couldn’t say no.
TEAM MORALE [Sveum] basically told me the Cubs are turning things around. [He said] they had a lot of good starting pitchers, and it sounded like they were as motivated as ever to win. That’s what makes baseball fun, so I wanted to come here and help the team win.
GAME ON During the offseason, I have a lot of hobbies—fishing, hiking, a lot of outdoors stuff. I also like to work on cars. But during the season, I spend most of my time with my wife. She’s kind of a video gamer, so sometimes we play video games, and we like going to movies. She actually beats me, so I probably have to spend a little bit of my spare time practicing.
IN IT TO WIN IT Winning the World Series gave me a lot of experience in high-pressure situations. Once you get there, you realize how hard and special it is to be there. What I took away was a need to get back. Even in the playoffs, the atmosphere is so different, and it’s so much fun. That’s why we play the game. Once you are there, it’s something you are dying to get back to.
To read the complete interview with Schierholtz, pick up the May issue of Vine Line, featuring the Cubs core, available now at select Jewel-Osco, Walgreens, Meijer, Barnes & Noble, and other Chicago-area retailers. Or subscribe to Vine Line today.
Cubs bullpen has turned things around
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The first two weeks of the season were a struggle for the Cubs relief corps. Despite strong efforts from one of the NL’s best rotations in the club’s first 12 games, the bullpen blew four save opportunities, compiled a 5.82 ERA and repeatedly failed to secure victories in winnable games.
But the ‘pen’s performance in the last two weeks is making those early-season woes look like a thing of the past. In the last 13 games, the relievers have compiled a 1.85 ERA, third in the NL during that stretch. Though they still walk too many hitters (9.5 walk percentage, second highest in NL since April 16), the bullpen has found a way to get out of jams, leaving an NL-best 92.4 percent of runners on base.
The Cubs have been in every game this season—all but three have been decided by three runs or fewer and none by more than four—which means a strong bullpen is often the difference between winning and losing. What the team looks to have gained in recent weeks is a “give me the-ball” type finisher. Though manager Dale Sveum has not named a closer and prefers a bullpen-by-committee approach, the North Siders acquired veteran late-innings reliever Kevin Gregg, who was released by the Dodgers at the end of Spring Training. Since making his debut on April 19, Gregg has been lights out, surrendering no earned runs in his first six appearances and racking up four saves.
Despite Opening Day closer Carlos Marmol’s early failures, surrendering five earned runs in his first 1.2 innings pitched, he hasn’t given up a run since April 6. He has still walked eight batters in those nine innings, but he’s managed to miss a lot of bats in that time too, striking out nine.
The most consistent relief pitcher all season has been southpaw James Russell. The 26-year-old has leaned heavily on his 80 mph slider, throwing it 45 percent of the time, while mixing in a fastball and change-up. So far this season, his strikeout totals have improved dramatically. He’s now fanning 10.6 batters per nine, three K/9 better than last season. In 11 innings, he’s walked just one batter and hasn’t given up an earned run. He’s been so effective that his 0.6 wins above replacement (according to fangraphs.com) is tied for the best among relief pitchers in baseball.
To round things out, Shawn Camp looks like he might have rediscovered his 2012 form after struggling early, and waiver pickup Kameron Loe has been reliable in his five innings since being claimed off waivers from Seattle. Though the relievers’ .269 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) might indicate they’re pitching a little above their ability (an average BABIP is around .300), a solid effort from these pitchers all season long could make a big difference in 2013.
Cubs minor league recap: 4/29/13
In eight games, RHP Blake Parker has held right-handed hitters to a .059 average. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Daytona captured a win in a rain-shortened game Monday while Iowa fell short despite an offensive outburst. Tennessee walked away from its doubleheader with a win and a loss, but Kane County struggled to collect a victory in its back-to-back matchup. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (8-15)
Iowa dropped a 10-9 decision to visiting Round Rock even though eight different I-Cubs collected a hit. The two teams combined for 19 runs, 24 hits and four home runs.
- CF Brian Bogusevic (.403) extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 1-for-5 with a RBI (9). He’s hitting .444 (16-for-36) during that stretch.
- 1B Brad Nelson (.224) went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles (3) and three RBI (17). The four hits and three RBI marked season highs.
- DH Brett Jackson (.233) homered for the second-consecutive game, going 1-for-4 with a walk, the home run and two RBI (9). Jackson did not homer in his first 16 games prior to April 28′s blast.
- SS Logan Watkins (.263) recorded his third-straight, multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a RBI (5).
- RF Ryan Sweeney (.377) reached base three times, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. He is hitting .396 (19-for-48) against right-handed pitchers.
- 3B Ian Stewart (.111) went 1-for-4 with a walk in the 11th game of his rehabilitation assignment.
- RHP Blake Parker (2.70) worked a scoreless ninth frame. He’s holding right-handed hitters to a .059 batting average (1-for-17) through eight appearances.
Tennessee Smokies (14-10)
Game 1: Tennessee managed just two hits in a 3-0 loss vs. Pensacola in the first game of a doubleheader.
- CF Matt Szczur (.294) went 1-for-3, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He’s hitting .324 (12-for-37) with a home run and five RBI during the streak.
- 2B Ronald Torreyes (.333) went 1-for-3 with a stolen base (1).
- RHP Frank Batista (0.90 ERA) and RHP Tony Zych (3.09) each tossed a scoreless inning of relief. Batista is holding right-handed hitters to a .143 batting average (3-for-21) while Zych is limiting righties to a .185 mark (5-for-27).
Game 2: Tennessee’s Jae-Hoon Ha hit a pinch-hit, walk-off, three-run home run to beat Pensacola 3-0 in the nightcap.
- PH Ha (.313) recorded a season-high three RBI (13) with the walk-off blast. The clout snapped a 23-game homerless drought.
- RHP Kyle Hendricks (3.12) received a no-decision despite tossing 6.0-scoreless innings. He owns a 0.69 ERA (1 ER/13.0 IP) in his last two starts.
- RHP Marcus Hatley (1-0, 2.79) fired a scoreless inning of relief while striking out two, earning his first win of the season.
Daytona Cubs (12-12)
Daytona earned a 2-1, rain-shortened victory over visiting Palm Beach. The game was called in the eighth inning due to heavy rain.
- DH Dustin Geiger (.314) extended his hitting streak to five games, going 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and one RBI (22).
- LF John Andreoli (.322) went 1-for-4 with one RBI (11). He’s reached base safely in 10 straight games.
- 3B Ben Carhart (.291) went 1-for-3 with a double (7). He is hitting .385 (10-for-26) with runners in scoring position.
- RHP Yeiper Castillo (3.86) struck out a season-high eight batters. He’s allowed just three hits and no runs in his last five outings (9.0 IP).
- LHP Hunter Cervenka (1-0, 2.31) earned his first win of the season, allowing one run on one hit while striking out four in two innings of relief.
- SS Javier Baez was named Florida State League Player of the Week for the week of April 22-28. He batted .435 (10-for-23) with two home runs and three doubles while slugging .826.
Kane County Cougars (8-13)
Game 1: Kane County surrendered five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, falling 7-6 to Lake County in the first game of a doubleheader.
- 1B Daniel Vogelbach (.288) clubbed his third homer of the season, going 1-for-4 with the clout and two RBI (11).
- DH Rock Shoulders (.384) blasted his team-leading fifth home run of the campaign. He finished 1-for-3 with the bomb and two RBI (15).
- C Willson Contreras (.310) recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the campaign, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base (2).
Game 2: Lake County completed the doubleheader sweep of the Cougars with a 4-2 victory.
- 1B Daniel Vogelbach (.289) went 1-for-3 with one RBI (12) while hitting his second home run of the day.
- CF Oliver Zapata (.250) went 1-for-1 with a walk and one stolen base (5).
- RHP Steve Perakslis (7.59) hurled a scoreless inning of relief. Lead-off hitters are just 1-for-10 (.100) against him.
Share your story of Cubs commitment
(Photo by Stephen Green)
When you saw the Cubs’ new “Committed” marketing campaign, did you think, “They should be talking about me?” Now’s your chance to tell your story.
The Chicago Cubs and Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) are inviting fans to share their personal tales of commitment in the “Everyone Has A Story” online campaign. Fans can upload their stories in video format or as a photo and essay pairing at www.cubs.com/story, and submissions will be featured in a season-long online gallery.
“Chicago Cubs fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of sports, and we hear their amazing stories every day,” said Alison Miller, senior director of marketing for the Cubs. “This campaign allows these fans to share their stories with each other and be recognized by the team for their unrivaled commitment.”
The “Committed” campaign, which launched in early March, features advertisements that tell authentic stories from true Cubs fans, including Jeff and Jessi Galbraith, a couple from Indianapolis who got engaged at Wrigley Field; Adam Weiler of Chicago, who triumphed over his wife’s efforts to raise their son as a Brewers fan; Rob Mansfield, Rick Urena and Ben Winge, three best friends who love starting chants and claim they have single-handedly helped the team win a game; and David Eagan, a South Side security guard who proudly sports a tattoo of a Cubs logo and Ron Santo’s signature on the back of his head.
