…Or maybe not.
I was trying to post video directly to the page, thereby avoiding linking you to an outside source–BUT, as it turns out, I have no clue how to do that.
So here you go.
CUBS WIN!…SOME MORE…
The team rolled into spring training the way they rolled out of last season–winning( There was no October in 2008. Weird, I know.)
And the team that they beat?
Yep.
The Cubs beat the Dodgers by a score of 5-3 earlier today at Ho Ho Kam, with four of their five runs coming courtesy of a first baseman not named Lee. Lee was in the game alright( 0 for 1), but the teams took advantage of the spring training caveat allowing the use of a DH regardless of location or opponent. So it turns out Micah Hoffpauir(1-4 with a grand-slam) is an awesome DH.
Awesome–He’s on a national league roster.
But his performance could be indicative of his ability to stay in-game while not being on-field, which could in turn strengthen his case for being the backup lefty power off the bench. Plus, he cant catch shit.
Jeff Samardzija started the game for the Cubs and pitched two innings, retiring the side in the first before having a shakier second. He gave up a total of three hits, two runs, two walks and struck out one. Samardzija is one of the candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation, but until his secondary pitches develop he would probably be better off starting for AAA than being lit up by major league hitters. He might return to the bullpen, where he was excellent last year, but that could be more of a disservice to his future as a starter than an asset to what some say is an already deep pen.
Mitch Atkins, Cubs 2008 minor league pitcher of the year, followed Samardzija by pitching the third and fourth, giving up one run on three hits with a strikeout of his own. Atkins will most likely start for AAA or be returned to AA West Tenn, which is the more competitive, pitching-oriented league.
Also Pitched:
Ken Kadokura–one hit and one strikeout in 1.0 . Japanese league veteran with legit shot for the pen.
David Patton–two hits and a strikeout in 1.0 . Rule-Fiver from Cinci, could also be seen in the pen.
Esmailin Caridad–zero hits and zero Runs in 1.0 . Battling Samardzija for name least likely to be spelled by sounding it out phonetically.
Jason Waddell–o hits, a walk, two strikeouts and the distinction of me not having the first clue who he is. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!? Jason Waddell.
Jeff Stevens– one hit, one walk, and one strikeout in one inning. He was also a piece of the Mark Derosa deal with Cleveland. I believe he was the torso.
At the Plate:
The Cubs managed to push across five runs on eight hits while leaving a Bakers dozen(18) runners on base. They also managed to walk four times– which is oddly enough also considered a Bakers dozen.
Micah Hoffpauir– one for four with four rbi’s and a homerun(Grand Slam). Likely to start on the bench as the Cubs backup first basemen/Corner outfielder.
Ryan Theriot– two for three with two singles. The Cubs incumbent shortstop. Whipping boy.
Alfonso Soriano –one for one with a walk and a run scored. Cubs starting left fielder/linguistic enigma(How can he not speak the language better? He’s been here for like eight F*&kin years.)
Geovanny Soto– one for two with a single. Cubs starting catcher. Speaks better English than Soriano.
Reed Johnson– one for two with a single. He’s REED JOHNSON. Nuff said.
Bobby Scales/Luis Rivas– One for two with a single. Two headed minor league third baseman monster.
So that’s a wrap on my first wrap(get it?) As the season progresses I am going to attempt to post links and online videos as well as create unique names for each of these sections, hopefully making the blog easier to navigate.
Cubs take on the Brewers tomorrow in Mesa at 3:05 pm central. Sean Marshall takes the mound in the first.
Oh yea. This is what the Dodgers did.
Ok, so this is what they really did.
