–Robnett is either incredibly quick–or–has great baserunning instincts–or–is the only Cub to realize that A.J. has a weak arm at this point in his career and was determined to take advantage of it. I don’t know where Robnett will eventually fit into the system, they seem to have an over abundance of maybe Minor League outfielders these days(Fuld, Robnett, Snyder, Colvin) as well as viable Major league choices(Gathright, Johnson, Fukudome, Taguchi?). Len did mention that Robnett has only stolen twenty bases in five minor league seasons, so I don’t know if he has:

A) Never taken advantage of his speed

-OR-

B) Stole on Pierzynski’s weak arm.

But he looked to be quick beating out an infield single before his second of the two stolen bags. Maybe he has the instinct to steal bases, I don’t know. If he does pan out then we got something for a sometimes nothing in Wuertz who for the record was effective when:

His slider was on

Which was more off than on in the past year.

Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot can hit. These guys may be the hokey joke about short and white with no range, but these guys CAN hit. I know Fontenot has the questionable record against left-handers, but, as long as Miles can produce(if Mike fails against left-handed pitching) then Derosa shouldn’t be missed regardless of the numbers he puts up this year.

Micah Hoffpauir can also hit, but his swing still has a bit too much of an uppercut to it at times, which leaves it susceptible. Is he a solution for when Derrek leaves?  Doubtful. Even with the bat, is his glove good enough? I don’t think Lee’s glove will be fully appreciated(even if it is just slightly above average now) until a real butcher is installed there. Will Micah be that? Don’t know, but Theriot’s arm and Ramirez’s penchant for throws in the dirt could become alot more glaring once he leaves.

Chad Fox can still get outs. Is he going to make the team? I doubt it. He lacks any real dominant stuff, or from what I saw today. I’ve seen him before, but in such a small sample size, that today I really paid attention. He has the ability to get outs, but if there is even a slightly better option I don’t see anyway they can justify taking him.  He’s Borowski stuff, without Borowski numbers.

They lost.

7-6, but it doesn’t matter. Spring Training.

I caught about an inning of Smardzija, but from that and the ongoing commentary he was off. I say he goes down to AAA and stretches out, works on his pitches, and the Cubs ignore their tribune-ish urge for marketing and do it the INTELLIGENT way, drop the hype and let the kid pan out or not.

We might lose Angel Guzman. He just doesn’t look sharp enough to make the team as it is and he’s out of options. Kind of sad for a kid who has been built up as much as he has and has some incredible pitches.

Lilly pitched four innings today for Team USA, two hits, a run, and awesome ensued.

That’s what I pulled from today’s game that I was actually able to watch. The  major pieces(Fontenot, Theriot, Bradley with a double in the other split)look good, and barring a complete fucking collapse from alot of players then we should be in good shape for the season.

Here’s the Box.

First Pitch is at 3:05 pm central time in Las Vegas VS. The White Sox. Game is On WGN America.

Heilman takes the ball in the first.

Ryan Dempster took the loss for the Cubs as he was terrible on the mound in his 4 2/3 innings. Dempster was not his usual self as he walked seven batters including there in the fifth inning before he gave up a grand slam to James Loney. The Dodgers also hit solo home runs off of Jason Marquis and Sean Marshall in the game while tacking on another run off of Jeff Samardzija.

The Cubs had nine hits in the game, they just didn’t get the big hits that the Dodgers did. Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez only combined for two hits in the game. Mark DeRosa had both rbi’s for the Cubs when he hit a two-run home run in the second inning. The Cubs need more production and three or more hits in an inning to score some runs if they want to win game two.

Carlos Zambrano will take the mound on game two. Hopefully he comes out and gets ahead of hitters right away and the Cubs even up the series at one game each.

Cubs Baseball Blog

Aramis Ramirez and Jim Edmonds also hit solo home runs in the game. The offense took a while to get going, but when they did it was a great scene!

Kerry Wood ended up with the win and worked his way out of a huge jam in the top of the 12th inning. Wood is now 5-4 on the year. Cubs starting pitcher Rich Harden only pitched five innings but only allowed one hit. The reason he only lasted five innings was because he walked six batters and struck out seven and his pitch count was very high.

Jeff Samardzija struggled out of of the pen once again as he gave up two run. Neal Cotts also allowed one run in relief.

The team found a way to win and that is exactly what they needed to do. I’m pretty sure we will see the Cubs clinch the division this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals!

Cubs Blog

Lilly gave up a sharp line drive to left center in the seventh inning to Mark Loretta before finishing out the inning and getting a standing ovation. Lilly improved to 15-9 with the win as he pitched awesome. I was sitting here thinking “Wouldn’t it be awesome to see two no hitters in back to back days?”, however it wasn’t meant to be but I’ll take that performance any day of the week.

Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto both hit two-run home runs in the game to set the pace for the Cubs. Both of the home runs came in the sixth inning when the Cubs score four runs. Jim Edmonds also went deep in the fourth inning for a solo shot. Aramis Ramirez got the Cubs scoring started with a rbi sac fly in the first inning.

It was a great game all around for the Cubs as they are currently up eight games in the division and will start a series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. The Cubs have a shot at clinching the division at home, so hopefully we will see another great series out of the Cubs!

On Wednesday night, the game was all about Ted Lilly who tossed eight innings and only gave up one run. Lilly was awesome down in St. Louis and he improved his record to 14-9.

Kerry Wood had some trouble in the ninth inning as he gave up a two-run home run to Ryan Ludwick but then he retired the next batter to secure the save and the cubs victory. Wood needs to have some 1-2-3 innings out there to take off all this pressure!

At the plate for the cubs, Alfonso Soriano, Felix Pie, and Aramis Ramirez all had one rbi each. The other run for the Cubs came via a Felipe Lopez error in the second inning. The Cubs scored all four of their runs in the second inning and then held on for the victory.

The Cubs and Cardinals play one more game on Thursday night. Hopefully the Cubs can win again and win this series down in St. Louis.

Cubs Blogging

Aramis Ramirez hit another three run home run and finished the game with four rbi. Kosuke Fukudome also had four rbi in the game as he went 3-4. JIm Edmonds, Henry Blanco, and Ted Lilly all helped out at the plate as they each had a rbi as well. The Cubs batters took four walks and struck out five times in the game as they were very productive.

Lilly pitched seven innings to get the victory. Lilly gave up seven hits and three runs while striking out seven Pirates to get the victory and improve to 13-7 on the season. Bob Howry gave up a single in the eighth inning but did not allow a run and then Kerry Wood pitched the ninth inning to finish up the game.

The Cubs will try to win the second game of the series Tuesday night. Go Cubs!

Cubs Baseball Blog

Ted Lilly didn’t have his best stuff as he was charged with four runs but it was good enough to get the win and improve to 12-6 on the year. Bob Howy had some trouble as he allowed a three run home run that got the Braves back within four runs. Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood then finished up the Braves in the final two innings.

Aramis Ramirez hit a three run home run to lead the Cubbies at the plate with three rbi. Alfonso Soriano added a two run shot of his own as well. Geovany Soto had another great game at the plate as he had three walks and two rbi. Mark DeRosa, Reed Johnson, Daryle Ward, and Ryan Theriot all had one rbi each as well.

The Cubbies will try to make it nine in a row on the road Friday night as they take on the Florida Marlins. Big Z will be taking the mound for the Cubs.

Cubs Baseball Blog

Right now I’ll just give you a short recap of game one of the double header against the Braves.  The Cubs bats were swinging and knocking in runs as they crushed the Braves 10-2.  Jason Marquis tossed 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win.  Marquis didn’t pitch too badly as he gave up six hits and two runs, but his pitch count really got up there and that is why he only lasted a little over five innings.  Marquis had to work out of jams quite a few times and that is why the pitchcount was so high.

Neal Cotts, Jeff Samardzija, and Bob Howry all seen action out of the bullpen.  All three pitched great and allowed the team to save Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol for the second game which will kick off at 6 p.m. central time.

Geovany Soto led the offense by going 3-4 with four rbi.  Soto had a two run double in the second inning and then added a two run home run in the ninth inning.  I would expect to see Soto sit out the second game and Henry Blanco to get the start.  Jim Edmonds also had a good game at the plate as he had three rbi in the game.  Aramis Ramirez, Mark DeRosa, and Ryan Theriot all added one rbi each as well.

Let’s go get game two and hopefully see a Brewers loss later tonight. GO CUBS!

Cubs Baseball

A brilliant effort from Jason Marquis, and an 8^th inning homerun from “Mr. Clutch”, Aramis Ramirez, got the Cubs back on track with a 3-1 victory Friday afternoon.  Marquis, who pitched like a starter fighting to keep his rotation spot, threw 7 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and no runs.  Giant’s pitcher Matt Cain was just as brilliant through 7 as he gave up 3 hits, no runs, and struck out nine Cub batters. 

With the flags barely moving, it was evident early in the game that we would not see the same type of day that led to 7 Red’s homeruns just a day before.  Both starting pitchers were dominant on the mound and through 7 innings the game was scoreless.  After a double from Cub’s leftfielder Daryle Ward, Piniella put in Ronny Cedeno to pinch run, and decided to pinch hit for Marquis in the bottom of the 7^th despite the low pitch count he had attained.  The move would cost Marquis a chance for the win as Kosuke Fukudome failed to plate the run.  It was obvious that Marquis was well aware of the looming probability that he might lose his rotation spot with the acquisition of Rich Harden, and he pitched well enough to earn another start.  With one out and nobody on, Giant’s manager Bruce Bochy decided that Matt Cain’s day was done and pinch hit for him in the 8^th.  Bob Howry pitched a perfect 8^th inning that set the stage for the ensuing drama that was about to take place.

Cub’s shortstop, Ryan Theriot,  kept his eight game hitting streak alive on a bloop play in the 3^rd and then led off the bottom of the 8^th inning with his second single of the game.  Mike Fontenot then bunted Theriot over to second to put the go ahead run in scoring position.  Giant’s pitcher, Tyler Walker, then proceeded to intentionally walk Derrek Lee to pitch to Aramis Ramirez with runners at first and second.   Ramirez then took the very first pitch and hit a hooking bomb towards the leftfield foul pole and out onto Waveland Ave to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.  The homerun was the 17^th of the year for Ramirez and drew a curtain-call from the 41,000 fans in attendance. 

Cub’s closer, Kerry Wood, got the call in the 9^th and got into immediate trouble when he let the first three batters he faced reach base.  Ray Durham would score for the Giants making it 3-1 and leaving runners at 1^st and 3^rd with no outs.  Wood then caught Aaron Rowand looking for strike three, as Bengie Molina stole second putting the tying run in scoring position with one out.  John Bowker then flew out to Kosuke Fukudome and the runners held.  As the fans got to their feet, Rich Aurilla hit a ground ball to Derrek Lee, who then tossed it over to Wood for the 3^rd and final out.  The save would be Wood’s 24^th tying him for first in the National League with Giant’s closer Brian Wilson. 

Cub’s fans get ready to welcome in Rich Harden tomorrow as he will face Giant’s pitcher Kevin Correia who is 1-5 with a 4.96 ERA.  Make note that the game time has been moved to 12:00pm Central time so get their early! 

 Carlos Zambrano pitched 8 brilliant innings in route to his 10^th victory of 2008 on a beautiful night in Wrigley.  Zambrano located his pitches very well having both the slider and sinker working nicely.  Coming off the DL only last week, Zambrano gave up a homerun to Adam Dunn, with one out in the 2nd inning, and then sat down the next 20 Reds batters he faced.  

Offensively the Cubs got it going early.  After going down 1-0 on  Adam Dunn’s homerun the Cubs answered as rookie All-Star Geovany Soto led off the second with a double, and then scored from second on an error by Cincinnati Red’s shortstop Jeff Keppinger.  Soto’s hustle was reminiscent of his inside the park homerun in Houston earlier this year.

After Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot made a brilliant play to end the top half of the 6^th inning, Aramis Ramirez took the very first pitch of the bottom half and sent it to souvenir city to give the Cubs their first lead of the game.  Red’s pitcher Johnny Cueto would then go on to strike out the next two batters and escape any further damange.  The Cubs offense struck again the very next inning.  After Cub’s left fielder Reed Johnson led off with a single, Zambrano attempted to bunt him over to second.  Zambrano was called out at first even though he beat the throw by a country mile.  This brought Lou out of the dugout and sparked the Cub’s offense.  With two outs, Kosuke Fukudome doubled in Reed Johnson to give the cubs a 3-1 lead.  Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez then both followed with RBI hits off of Red’s reliever David Weathers and the Cubs went in to the 8^th inning with a 5-1 lead. 

Carlos Marmol came in to pitch for the Cubs in the top of the 9^th and got into some early trouble.  After appearing to tweak his foot, while making the second out of the inning, Carlos then gave up a hit and walked the next two batters to load the bases.  Lou then made the call for All-Star closer Kerry Wood to come in for a chance at his 23^rd save.  Wood did not disappoint an ecstatic Wrigley crowd by getting Red’s second baseman Brandon Phillips to pop out to Derek Lee for the last out of the game.

Carlos Zambrano gets the win as he pitches 8 strong innings giving up only one hit and one run while striking out 5.  He moves to 10-3 on the season and looks to pitch next in the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.  Cueto is credited with the loss as he moves to 7-9 on the season.

Ted Lilly will take the mound tomorrow in hopes of becoming the third Cub pitcher to win his 10th game of the season as he faces Cinicinnati right-hander Bronson Arroyo.  The Cubs will be looking to sweep the Reds and win their 4^th straight. 

Written By:  Murray Shaw