Bleed Cubbie Blue

View full size photo uploaded July 5, 2009

Ted will get the job done!

Ted Lilly To The Rescue: Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Sunday 7/5, 1:20 CT

2009-07-05T15:03:22Z

The Cubs salute veterans on the scoreboard before Saturday's game. (BCB Photo by David Sameshima)

Bruce Miles confirms that the Cubs are thinking about going to 11 pitchers on Monday:

Lou says one solution to Monday's impending roster crunch is to get to to 11 pitchers instead of 12. That would mean just one position player would have to be sent out when Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson and pitcher Angel Guzman come off the DL Monday. Jeff Baker and Andres Blanco are going to stay, meaning Mike Fontenot, Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld will be watching things nervously here the next couple days as will pitchers Kevin Hart and Jeff Samardzija.

I'm all for that. My solution: send Hoffpauir, Hart and Samardzija back to Des Moines. Sam Fuld can handle the outfield positions that Hoffpauir wasn't all that good at (not to mention that since May 25, Hoffpauir is hitting .189/.204/.377 in 53 AB with one -- yes one -- walk and 17 strikeouts), and Fox can back up first base.

Baseball note: golf great Tiger Woods weighs in on Yankee Stadium ticket prices:

Tiger Woods can afford to buy tickets to a game at Yankee Stadium. Heck, he can probably afford to buy Yankee Stadium. But he's still aware of how costly attending sports events can be for, you know, us mere mortals.

Asked about price-setting policy at this week's AT&T National tournament, for which he serves as host, Woods chose Yankee Stadium as Exhibit A in "What NOT to do" when putting on a family-friendly sports event.

"We don't want to have what happened at Yankee Stadium," Woods said Friday. "Tickets are so overpriced that you can't bring the family. We want to have everyone come out and enjoy being in a family atmosphere, walk around, have a good time and not have it cost an arm and a leg."

This upcoming offseason is going to be a time of major recessionary adjustment for major league teams and players. You already saw some of this late last offseason with some of the free-agent signings; this winter, I think you are going to see many teams tighten their belts and all teams will have to think long and hard about ticket price increases -- case in point: the Tigers. Detroit averaged 39,539 last year, raised prices significantly in the city perhaps hardest-hit by the economy, and despite having a first-place team this year, attendance in Detroit so far is down almost 25%. Same in Toronto, where the Blue Jays have played well and are still in contention -- down about 23%.

Cautionary tale for owners, including the soon-to-be new owners of the Cubs. The Cubs may appear recession-proof, but there is a point at which even Cub attendance may start to tail off.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ted Lilly Cubs	vs.	Mike Burns Brewers

7-6	W-L	1-1
3.35	ERA	3.31
88	SO	9
23	BB	6
16	HR	2
vs. Mil	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ted Lilly	7-6	16	16	0	0	0	0	104.2	95	42	39	16	23	88	3.35	1.13

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Mike Burns	1-1	3	2	0	0	0	0	16.1	15	6	6	2	6	9	3.31	1.29

Mike Burns, in case you haven't heard of him before, is no kid prospect -- he'll be 31 in nine days. In fact, the Cubs should have a pretty good book on him, since he spent 2008 in the Cub organization at Iowa. He's been around so much that the only photo available of him is in a Red Sox cap, and he only made seven appearances for them in 2006. The Brewers are his fourth ML team; he made two relief appearances vs. the Cubs in September 2005 when he was with Houston and two more in April 2006 as a Cincinnati Red. He never started a ML game until eleven days ago. He has allowed a fair number of walks (six) given his number of innings (16.1). Derrek Lee is 2-for-2 (both doubles) against him. In short, who knows what to expect?

Ted Lilly is 4-1, 1.85 in seven starts at home this year, and has not faced the Brewers in 2009. Watch out for Ryan Braun (6-for-13, 2 doubles, 2 HR) and Prince Fielder (6-for-15, a double).

Today's game will be available nationally on TBS -- except in the blackout areas, as pointed out by Allie in last night's recap. It's also on CSN Chicago and FSN Wisconsin. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

View full size photo uploaded July 4, 2009

Overflow comment threads will post today at 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 4

2009-07-05T05:09:36Z

You know, I thought that putrid odor in the air here in Boise was from all the fireworks going off. Nope, it's just the Hawks!

Good news is that the help for the Hawks arrived today with Brett Jackson's arrival from Arizona.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs blew past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-4.

Esmailin Caridad improved his record to 4-9 with 6.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs, all of which scored on a pair of home runs. Caridad allowed six hits and three walks total while striking out six.

Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. Parker didn't allow a hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Nate Spears hit his first home run of the season tonight in a 2 for 4 game. It was a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Spears also walked once.

Right fielder So Taguchi went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice. Catcher Chris Robinson was also 2 for 4. Robinson scored once and had one RBI.

Shortstop Darwin Barney and left fielder John-Ford Griffin were both 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies cooked the Carolina Mudcats, 7-4.

Andrew Cashner's AA debut was quite a successful one tonight. He went five innings and allowed only one run on three hits. Cashner struck out six and didn't walk anyone. He went 1 for 2 with the bat as well. I'm assuming that's his first professional hit since the other leagues he's played in are DH-only leagues.

Jayson Ruhlman was called in to get the final out for his second save. He did hit a batter before ending the game.

Third baseman Marquez Smith had two doubles in a 3 for 5 evening. Smith scored three times.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 5 with a double and one RBI. Shortstop Jonathan Mota was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once and had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees, 4-1.

Dan McDaniel evened his record at 5-5 with five innings, allowing only one run on four hits. McDaniel walked two and struck out seven.

David Cales got his tenth save with 1.1 innings of relief. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were bitten by the Beloit Snappers, 4-1.

Aaron Shafer took the loss, allowing four runs over his four inning start. Only one of the four runs was earned, however. Shafer surrendered six hits and one walk while striking out two.

Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were shut out again, this time by the Eugene Emeralds, 8-0.

Jeffry Antigua had a good start tonight, throwing five shutout innings. He allowed only one hit while walking two and striking out four.

Josh Whitlock relieved him and unfortunately made a strong case for his release. Whitlock allowed eight runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs, in only 1.1 innings of work. Whitlock also walked two.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 1 for 4 in his Boise debut.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Rangers, 7-5.

DH Justin Bour was 3 for 3 with two walks and a grand slam home run. He also stole a base.

The Cubs Channel Monty Python's "Complete Waste Of Time" In 11-2 Loss To Brewers

2009-07-04T20:38:49Z

This CD-ROM game would have been a better use of this afternoon than today's game.

In 1994, the Monty Python troupe released "Complete Waste of Time", described on Wikipedia as:

a collection of minigames, screen savers, desktop wallpaper and icons for Mac OS, DOS and Windows.

You could have spent two hours and 36 minutes with it this afternoon and had much more fun than the Cubs and 40,088 dampened fans spent watching the Cubs go down meekly to the Brewers 11-2 on a holiday afternoon when, perhaps predictably, the most fun was figuring out which inning they would play Chicago's "Saturday In The Park" on the only day that its lyrics come true:

Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July

Well, it was. But the rest of the lyrics, which include "People dancing, people laughing" and "People talking, really smiling" weren't true, that is, unless you were a Brewers fan.

Seriously, there's no reason for a serious recap of this game, so I thought I'd have a little fun. It drizzled or rained lightly for the entire game, a day more befitting September than early July, and the game was over in the first inning when Mike Cameron hit a three-run homer off Rich Harden. Harden threw one more inning, gave up another homer (to J. J. Hardy) and two extra-base hits and then departed, his best contribution to the game being his bunt single made when he was actually just trying to sacrifice Mike Fontenot to second in the bottom of the second inning. Just as in the first inning, when the Cubs loaded the bases after a gift dropped fly ball by Corey Hart, the Cubs failed to take advantage; Ryan Theriot then hit into the first of three double plays the Brewers turned on the afternoon.

After Milton Bradley's first home run since May 25 briefly gave the Cubs hope at only 7-2 down, the Brewers continued to pound the Cub bullpen. Casey McGehee hit a home run onto Waveland that was tracked down by our own Ballhawk Ken (and while I give you kudos for not throwing it back, Ken, why didn't you throw back one of the throwback balls I often see flying back into the park from Waveland?), and that made it 11-2, sending many people home early.

The back end of the Cubs bullpen used the last six-plus innings of today's game as more or less an audition to see who's heading back to Iowa when Angel Guzman is reactivated on Monday. If today's results are any indication, it'll be Jeff Samardzija, who gave up McGehee's homer. David Patton, apparent inheritor of the Complete Collection Of Compromising Photos Of Jim Hendry And Lou Piniella, won't be going anywhere (except back to the bullpen bench for ten days or so), and Kevin Hart threw two good innings, perhaps saving his spot in the pen for now.

About the offense, what is there to say? I repeat what's been said here by many: if Alfonso Soriano is hurt and that's why he isn't hitting, he needs to go on the DL. He's certainly not helping the team. The Cubs had no hits at all and only a pair of walks after the third inning, until Fontenot's virtually useless single with two out in the ninth.

Compliments for Bradley on his homer and having some good at-bats today. One day doesn't make him whole again, but perhaps he can build on this tomorrow and in the days to come. And the Cubs can still win the series tomorrow and accomplish what they needed to this weekend -- and here's also hoping for some sunny July days.

Finally, while I was glad the Cubs joined in on the tribute to Lou Gehrig on the 70th anniversary of his famous "luckiest man" speech, they could have waited till just before game time -- Dave Otto's rendition was read about 20 minutes before the first pitch, in the middle of the usual barrage of ads that's widely ignored by everyone, and with the park less than half full.

First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 7/4, 12:05 CT

2009-07-04T17:00:26Z

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

One more like the last one, Rich!

Luckiest Man: Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Saturday 7/4, 12:05 CT

2009-07-04T15:00:28Z

More photos » by Paul Beaty - AP

Koyie Hill tags Jeff Suppan out during Friday's game. Great throw by Kosuke Fukudome got him.

"For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans." -- Lou Gehrig

Since today is a special day, this preview will be a bit different than the usual links and briefs about the Cubs. In addition to being Independence day, today is the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous speech at Yankee Stadium; during games this afternoon all MLB teams will honor Gehrig's memory by replaying parts of that speech:

Saturday, Major League Baseball will commemorate the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's famous retirement speech, which he gave on July 4, 1939. Across the nation, in the middle of the seventh inning, the home teams will read the humble words of a dying man in an effort to raise awareness about the disease that took his life.

Gehrig had a marvelous baseball career that, as you likely know, was cut short, as was his life, by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease which now bears his name. The tribute today is part of a MLB campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight this disease, which as of now has no cure (and which also recently took the life of longtime ABC7 Chicago anchorman John Drury).

If you have not read Jonathan Eig's recent biography of Gehrig, the title of which adorns this post, "Luckiest Man", I give it my highest recommendation. Here is my BCB review of the book from November 2005.

Lou Gehrig played in a World Series at Wrigley Field, but before that he made his mark at Wrigley as a high schooler. In 1920 he played in a special "national championship" high school game between his NY school, Commerce High, and Lane Tech in Chicago. He was 17 years old. He hit a titanic grand slam onto Sheffield that landed across the street.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Rich Harden Cubs	vs.	Braden Looper Brewers

5-4	W-L	6-4
4.57	ERA	4.90
76	SO	54
31	BB	27
13	HR	17
vs. Mil	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Rich Harden	5-4	13	12	0	0	0	0	67.0	63	38	34	13	31	76	4.57	1.40

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Braden Looper	6-4	16	16	0	0	0	0	90.0	99	55	49	17	27	54	4.90	1.40

Braden Looper has a 2.57 career ERA vs. the Cubs, but most of that was posted in many relief appearances before he became a starter. He and Rich Harden have already faced each other once this year, on April 10 at Miller Park, a boxscore you probably don't really want to look at if you want to keep your blood pressure down. Since that date Looper's ERA has gone steadily up. Kosuke Fukudome is the Cub who hits him best -- 5-for-16 (.313), a double, a HR.

Rich Harden has done well vs. Milwaukee. He had 10 strikeouts in that April 10 game, and no current Brewer has more than two hits off him; overall, members of the Brewers' active roster are 8-for-68 (.118) against him and his record against them is 1-0, 1.50 in three career starts (26 K and 8 BB in 18 innings). His last start vs. the Pirates was excellent... it's time he started building on that.

Today's game will, despite Bud's Dumb Blackout Rules, be on WGN -- so available nationally. It's also on FSN Wisconsin. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

Lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 12-0.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Sale Of Cubs To Ricketts Group On Target For End Of August

2009-07-04T12:00:41Z

This post won't be very long, because the article it quotes isn't very long. It quotes last night's report by David Kaplan on WGN that an agreement between the Ricketts group and Tribune Co. should be in place in the next couple of weeks. The article also says:

Quoting "a good baseball source," Kaplan said approval from MLB would likely take place before the end of August.

Discuss.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 3

2009-07-04T05:35:01Z

After ten hours on the road, here I am in Boise bringing you the recap of tonight's exciting minor league action.

But you'll have to forgive me if it's somewhat incoherent, After driving for ten hours, I'm seeing two computer screens and two keyboards.

Some guy named Ramirez played for Peoria.

Oh, Ryne Sandberg had an interesting night too.

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs blasted the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 7-1.

Angel Guzman started and faced six batters and threw 25 pitches, 15 for strikes. He allowed a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings and struck out one.

Casey Fossum made his Cub organizational debut after that and picked up the win, going 4.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits and two walks. The run scored on a solo home run. Fossum struck out five for a pretty impressive I-Cub debut.

See, that's how you get a starting pitcher the win despite not going five innings. Have a rehabbing reliever pitch the first inning.

Third baseman Nate Spears had 3 hits in 4 ABs tonight. Spears scored once and had one RBI.

Second baseman Luis Rivas had a double in a 2 for 4 game. Rivas had two RBI and scored once. Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

I didn't even notice that first baseman Matt Craig rejoined the Cub organization a couple of days ago. Craig was 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Craig had been playing for the Marlins this season after spending seven seasons in the Cub organization.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies eclipsed the Huntsville Stars, 5-3.

After a horrible start to the season, Marcos Mateo is starting to right the ship in Tennessee with his third straight start allowing only one run. Tonight he pitched six innings and surrendered only the one run on three hits and a walk. Mateo fanned five.

The ninth inning was when things got interesting. Brian Schlitter came in for the save and walked four while grabbing only two outs. But Ryno didn't think the calls were very good and asked the umpire where the pitches were. After his questions were ignored, Sandberg went ballistic and bumped the home plate umpire in a heated argument. This was Sandberg's third ejection in the past seven games and his sixth of the season. Sandberg is certain to be suspended for this one as contact was made with the umpire "multiple times" according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Jayson Ruhlman walked in another run in the ninth but got the final out and the save after that.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Shortstop Nate Samson, recently promoted from Daytona to replace Darwin Barney, was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs lost to the Brevard County Manatees, 4-2.

James Leverton, who was taken in the draft last season one round before Jay Jackson, saw his record fall to 5-8 by allowing three runs on five hits in only three innings. Leverton walked one and struck out one.

Second baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 2 with a triple and two walks. Opitz scored once and had one RBI.

Josh Vitters had a rough night: 0 for 4 with two errors. He did have an RBI on a ground out though.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. Guyer also scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs hunted down the Kane County Cougars, 7-1.

Jeff Beliveau has got to be opening some eyes down in Peoria this season. Tonight he allowed only one run on three hits over five innings. He walked only one and struck out six. So far this season, he's struck out 78 batters in 58 innings. He's walked 28, which while that's not good, it's acceptable for someone who has struck out so many and has held opposing hitters to a .207 average. He's also only allowed two home runs so far, and that's excellent.

Aramis Ramirez started his rehab and went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI. He played four innings of third base before exiting the game.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice and had two RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.

Boise Hawks

The less said about this game, the better.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Dodgers, 6-5 in ten innings.

Walk-Off Walk: Jake Fox One Of Many Heroes In 2-1 Cubs Win Over Brewers In 10

2009-07-03T22:18:26Z

More photos » by Paul Beaty - AP

The Cubs LSU connection celebrates today's win.

Whatever works, keep it coming!

After smashing four homers last night, the Cubs used outstanding pitching and small-ball tactics to beat the Brewers 2-1, their third straight win and fourth in the last five.

At this writing that puts the Cubs two games out of first place -- which is now inhabited by the Cardinals, who moved 0.5 games ahead of Milwaukee. That's as close as they have been to the top spot in six weeks, since May 17, and moved them over .500 for the first time since June 23. If the Cardinals beat the Reds tonight, the Cubs move into third place. If the Reds beat the Cardinals, the Cubs will be 1.5 games out.

Carlos Zambrano, despite hitting Prince Fielder (he said in his postgame remarks that he was trying to pitch inside and it got away. I believe him, and the pitch that hit Derrek Lee in the bottom of that inning was definitely a purpose pitch. Enough!), had good command today, getting ten outs on ground balls and walking only three. He helped himself with an RBI single in the fifth, tying the game, hitting righthanded against RHP Jeff Suppan. Why? In the postgame press conference, Z revealed that his left wrist has been bothering him, so he decided to hit all righthanded today. Clearly, that didn't bother his pitching.

The Cubs also got a solid inning out of Aaron Heilman and two excellent innings from Kevin Gregg, who undoubtedly will not be available tomorrow after having thrown 40 pitches. Gregg had to get an extra out after Milton Bradley dropped a fly ball. I'm going to say about that play only this: it didn't hurt the team, since no runs scored. And right field in Wrigley is a tough field to play. But I believe an outfielder with the "good defense" reputation Bradley has, must make that play.

Lou hinted that "adjustments" will be made to the lineup tomorrow, not saying what they'd be. I suspect it may include dropping Alfonso Soriano down in the lineup, because at this point he's hurting the team hitting leadoff. Sam Fuld, who came in for defense in the ninth and nearly won the game with a sharp line drive that would have been a game-winning single had it been a couple of feet higher (and what was Mike Fontenot doing straying off 2B in that situation?), might wind up starting in CF or RF tomorrow and leading off.

Meanwhile, there were other heroes: Kosuke Fukudome, who had two walks sandwiching a double play with a runner on third and one out, made the defensive play of the game in the seventh inning, taking a convenient hop on a Fielder single and gunning down Jeff Suppan trying to score. I couldn't believe that the Brewers' 3B coach, Brad Fischer, sent Suppan, with the hot-hitting Casey McGehee due up next and Z about out of gas. But it all worked out in the Cubs' favor.

In the 10th inning, Ryan Theriot singled and went to second on a wild pitch. In retrospect, that was likely the key play of the inning because otherwise, the Brewers probably would have pitched to Bradley with two out. Instead, they put him on and Brewers reliever Mark DiFelice couldn't throw strikes to pinch-hitting Geovany Soto (nice game, incidentally, for backup Koyie Hill, who went 2-for-4 and blocked the plate nicely on the Suppan play), running the count to 3-0 and then also putting him on intentionally. Sometimes when that happens, pitchers lose their command, and DiFelice then ran the count to 3-1 on Jake Fox. Fox decided to swing at 3-1 -- a pitch that was probably a strike -- and fouled it off, then fouled off three more pitches before taking the winning ball four, a really nice at-bat.

It was a team victory, always nice to see, and the Cubs are now 5-3 against the Brewers this year. Keep it going tomorrow.

True Prince Fielder story, relayed to me by a friend who often waits outside Wrigley for autographs while visiting players are arriving. Fielder came in a taxi, got out and signed and posed for photos for about 20 minutes, by all accounts being friendly to everyone. Then one of the people who sells candy for fundraising purposes came up to him with the usual sales pitch. Fielder gave him a $100 bill and took the entire box. True story.

Finally, I wanted to say a couple of words here about the use of profanity during game threads. My own personal policy is that I want to keep profanity, whether mild or rougher, to an absolute minimum here. That said, I understand where, in the heat of the moment in a tense game situation, some profane words can come out. (They do for me in the bleachers, too, and I once wrote on this site regarding this issue, "I don't mind the occasional 'fuck'", which resulted in gales of laughter by virtually everyone here.) So with that in mind, I'd like everyone to relax a little about this issue. If there's a VERY occasional curse word, I'm OK with it -- and don't want anyone to come down too hard on someone else in a game thread. If it gets to be repetitive or abusive toward other posters, though, that's definitely not OK. Hope that clarifies things.

Go Cubs. Keep on this nice roll.

First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Friday 7/3, 1:20 CT

2009-07-03T18:15:07Z

More photos » by Nam Y Huh - AP

Pitch and win today, Z! No sideshows.

Keep Sam Fuld In The Lineup: Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Friday 7/3, 1:20 CT

2009-07-03T16:30:12Z

More photos » by John Smierciak - AP

More scenes like this for the next ten days, please.

One thing Lou Piniella has been about in his time as Cubs manager is playing young players when they produce. Ryan Theriot pretty much forced Lou to keep him as the starting SS in 2007 with a great spring. Mike Fontenot, same thing in getting to the major league roster and getting more playing time. And Micah Hoffpauir impressed Lou in last year's spring training and played himself into a bench role after several years mashing minor league pitching.

Sam Fuld, and granted it's only been two days, is making his case to at least play while he's hot, and maybe stick around as a bench player when everyone's healthy (hmmm. Couldn't he have done everything Joey Gathright was supposed to do, only better?). Me, I'd rotate Fuld through the outfield for the next few days, giving Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Milton Bradley days off on a rotating basis. Keep that bat, good fielding, baserunning speed and enthusiasm in the lineup until he cools off. Bruce Miles agrees.

Remember when Aramis Ramirez got hurt and we all hoped the Cubs could at least keep pace until he returned? That's exactly what they've done -- still 2.5 games behind, exactly where they were on May 8. And they could get a couple games closer before A-Ram's return on Monday.

And for those of you who want Lou to show some fire, maybe you should think again. You don't want to put him in the hospital, do you?

"I'm done with that," Piniella said Thursday of questions about his famous fiery approach. "You know, my chest was hurting after the ballgame. The trainer told me to take a nice, cold shower. I don't know why I had to answer that before.

"I went out and argued and I got kicked out, so now I don't have to answer that question anymore."

Today's Starting Pitchers


Carlos Zambrano Cubs	vs.	Jeff Suppan Brewers

4-3	W-L	5-6
3.69	ERA	4.86
66	SO	47
35	BB	37
7	HR	13
vs. Mil	--	vs. Cubs

The Cubs have already beaten Jeff Suppan twice this year, on April 12 and May 10. Alfonso Soriano homered off Suppan once in each of those games, so I guess it might make sense to put Soriano back in the lineup today. Those are the only two HR he has hit off Suppan, though, and in his career he's hitting only .209 vs. Suppan. Derrek Lee, though, is 21-for-47 (.447) vs. Suppan with 7 doubles, 4 HR and nine walks.

Z gave up three ER in six innings and got a no-decision vs. Milwaukee on April 11. Prince Fielder, who hits almost everyone, hits Z, too: 11-for-30 (.367), 5 doubles, 2 HR, eight walks. In his career Z is 10-8, 3.68 vs. the Brewers in 24 appearances (23 starts).

Today's game is again on CSN Chicago and FSN Wisconsin. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Derrek Lee's Career Day Leads Cubs To 9-5 Win Over Brewers

2009-07-03T12:17:20Z

More photos » by John Smierciak - AP

This swing produced the 10th grand slam of Derrek Lee's career.

Let's put to rest the idea -- if anyone still has it -- that Derrek Lee is declining. Since May 1, when he was hitting .189, he has 13 HR and 38 RBI in 46 games and is hitting .326/.408/.594 in that time frame.

D-Lee's three-run homer and grand slam -- both hit in the first four innings -- led the Cubs to a convincing 9-5 win over the Brewers, making the first "statement" that they're not going away in this tight division race. Only 2.5 games now separate the top four teams in the NL Central; the Cardinals' win over the Giants last night put them in a first-place tie with Milwaukee. The Cubs also edged back to one game behind the Brewers in the loss column, and Jake Fox and Geovany Soto also homered. Since May 12, Soto is hitting .277/.368/.515 with 8 HR and 22 RBI in 35 games started -- these numbers are very close to those he put up last year. If he can keep up this pace, he'll be just fine.

With his career-high seven RBI in the first four innings, D-Lee had a shot at the team record for RBI in a game -- nine, set by Heinie Zimmerman on June 11, 1911, and tied by Sammy Sosa on August 10, 2002, against the Rockies in Denver. Lee got only one more shot after the grand slam, and he hit a ball hard, but right to Mike Cameron. He was on deck in the last of the eighth when Ryan Theriot flew to right to end that inning.

The grand slam was Lee's second of the season and tenth of his career; that puts him in an 11th-place tie on the active player grand slam list, tied with Torii Hunter. The grand slam was caught on Waveland Avenue on the fly by Ballhawk Dave (thanks to our own ballhawk, Ken, for the tweeted info last night on this snag.)

Enough of the records. Ryan Dempster threw into the seventh inning and came a Mike Fontenot bobble away from finishing that inning; two batters later he gave up a single to Ryan Braun and Lou pulled him after 109 pitches (68 strikes) to a warm ovation. Dempster seemingly effortlessly struck out nine and only once, in the fifth inning, did his command desert him briefly. He walked Brewers reliever Chris Smith -- who had exactly one career AB before last night, what is it about these guys that makes pitchers suddenly unable to throw strikes? -- and Craig Counsell before ending the inning. Despite allowing a pair of homers, Dempster was never in trouble because of Lee's big day. Carlos Marmol was a bit shaky in the ninth inning, issuing a two-out walk to Prince Fielder (although, to be fair, it appeared Marmol wanted no part of challenging Fielder, throwing him nothing but breaking balls). He finished up by getting ex-Cub Casey McGehee (and raise your hand if you knew McGehee would be doing this well) on a called third strike, but not before Kevin Gregg had started to loosen up in the pen.

Sam Fuld continued his fine play, getting a pair of hits for the second day in a row. During his postgame remarks, Lou hedged when asked if Fuld would play again today. "We'll see," was his response. It appears Alfonso Soriano will return to the lineup today, but it's possible that Fuld will continue to play as long as he's hot (Lou often does this, riding the hot hand), perhaps spelling Kosuke Fukudome in CF for a day, and then Milton Bradley in RF for a day. Fuld is giving Lou and Jim Hendry a tough choice to make on Monday. That's the day three Cubs -- Angel Guzman, Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson -- will all return from the DL. Kevin Hart is the likely returnee to Iowa for Guzman, but who will go for Ramirez? Andres Blanco? He's played fine defense and is the only true backup SS. And will Fuld return to Iowa for Johnson? Stay tuned.

A final word about the booing I heard for Bradley in his first three at-bats last night, which resulted in a strikeout and two groundouts. You all know that I haven't been a big Bradley fan, but that booing is uncalled for and I did not join in. I think that sort of thing should be reserved for someone who isn't giving an honest effort. There's no doubt in my mind that Milton Bradley is absolutely, positively trying his best and giving 100% effort. He's just not succeeding right now. I truly do hope he turns it around. As long as he's wearing the blue pinstripes, we as fans, and his teammates, need him to succeed.

This morning's game preview thread will post at 11:30 am CDT.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 2

2009-07-03T07:57:58Z

A quick note. There will be a minor league wrap for tomorrow, but I can't guarantee that it will be posted tomorrow. I'm on my way to Boise, where I will see the Hawks play.

Iowa Cubs

It wasn't as good of a pitcher's duel as yesterday, but the Iowa Cub pitchers did outduel the Oklahoma City RedHawks pitchers, 2-1.

J.R. Mathes improved his record to 8-5 by allowing only one run on a solo home run over six innings. Mathes scattered seven hits total and walked three. He struck out one.

Blake Parker notched his eighth save with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.

Right fielder John-Ford Griffin hit his second home run for Iowa in the sixth. Griffin was 1 for 4 with the one RBi.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were outdazzled by the Huntsville Stars, 4-3.

Starter Jay Jackson allowed only one run on four hits over four innings. Jackson struck out five and walked only two.

Todd Blackford got the loss, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 3 with a run scored. First baseman Doug Deeds scored once in a 2 for 4 night.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 2-1.

Chris Carpenter had a really strong start in his High-A debut. He pitched six shutout inning, allowing only four hits and a walk. Carpenter struck out five.

Luke Sommer got the loss in relief. Sommer gave up two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. Sommer struck out four.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 and stole a base.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs extinguished the Kane County Cougars, 3-1.

Chris Archer had another five shutout innings tonight to grab the win. He allowed three hits. He struck out four and walked only one. I'll take that over the five no-hit innings he threw last time out but with five walks.

Chris Huseby got his eighth save with a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up one hit and struck out two.

Left fielder Josh Harrison was 3 for 4 with his fourth home run of the season. Second baseman Ryan Flaherty hit his tenth home run of the year in a 2 for 4 game. Both homers were solo shots.

Boise Hawks

The ~~Korean Junior National Team~~ Boise Hawks lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-5.

Starter Su-Ming Jung lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Jung struck out one.

Left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk. He stole two bases and scored twice. So far, Lee is hitting .340 with a .426 OBP and seven steals in 12 games.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Mariners, 6-5.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBI. He scored all three times. He did strike out his other two times up.

Get that guy up to Boise before I get there.

First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Thursday 7/2, 7:05 CT

2009-07-03T00:00:16Z

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Win one for Riley, Ryan.

The First "Big Series" Of The Summer: Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Thursday 7/2, 7:05 CT

2009-07-02T22:00:17Z

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

More postgame celebrations like this one, please.

By this time a year ago, the Brewers had already played two series at Wrigley Field. Instead, in 2009, the Cubs have played two series in Milwaukee -- splitting the six games -- and welcome the visitors from up I-94 to Chicago for the first time in 2009. The Cubs had the best ERA in the NL in June -- 3.18 -- but, for reasons we are all well familiar with, had their second losing month of the year (yesterday, I posted that it was the first losing month since August 2007, but the Cubs went 10-11 in April 2009). If the bats can get turned on and the pitching remains consistent, wins will follow.

And, though I suppose we shouldn't expect the "old" Aramis Ramirez back right away -- even he says he's not 100% -- he's headed for a rehab assignment starting tomorrow, and:

If all goes well, the plan is to bring him back for the start of the series with the Braves on Monday.

That's ten days earlier than I had hoped he'd be back (right after the All-Star break), and the Cubs can use an A-Ram at even 85-90% of efficiency.

Interesting take from Chris DeLuca on the dynamic between Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella. I wasn't in favor of signing Raul Ibanez last off season; apparently Lou was, but Hendry wasn't:

Piniella's preference on the free-agent market for a left-handed bat was Raul Ibanez. And despite a recent poll suggesting many of today's players would rather avoid working for Piniella, Ibanez was not among them. They know each other well from their days together with the Seattle Mariners, and Ibanez told the Sun-Times last winter he loved playing for Piniella and was interested in the Cubs.

But Hendry focused on Bradley right out of the box and struck a handshake deal with the controversial player in December, though a final deal couldn't be completed until Hendry took care of some payroll shuffling.

This is not to suggest Hendry and Piniella have drifted off the same page, but the dynamic seems to have changed.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ryan Dempster Cubs	vs.	Seth McClung Brewers

4-5	W-L	3-1
4.09	ERA	3.55
80	SO	30
42	BB	25
11	HR	6
vs. Mil	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ryan Dempster	4-5	16	16	0	0	0	0	99.0	93	49	45	11	42	80	4.09	1.36

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Seth McClung	3-1	29	1	0	0	0	1	45.2	42	18	18	6	25	30	3.55	1.47

Seth McClung's numbers this year look decent. And his career numbers vs. the Cubs look very good (17.2 innings in 10 relief appearances, 2.55 ERA). And then you look at his career numbers starting (16-24, 5.71 in 50 career starts) and tonight's chances look much better. It would be another good day to sit Alfonso Soriano, who is 1-for-15 lifetime vs. McClung. Kosuke Fukudome is 4-for-6. McClung has never started against the Cubs and he didn't throw too well in his only start so far this year, five days ago vs. the Giants. (And would someone please give him some smile pills?)

Ryan Dempster has faced the Brewers twice already this year, winning on April 12 and losing on May 9. Lifetime he's 8-2, 2.45 vs. Milwaukee and the only one of the Brewers who really pounds him is, strangely enough, Jason Kendall (16-for-43, .419, 3 doubles, 5 walks).

Tonight's game is on CSN Chicago and FSN Wisconsin. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

Here is where I usually link to the opponent's SBN site. I'm going to do it anyway, even though I know BCB readers haven't been welcomed with open arms at the "other" BCB. Brew Crew Ball.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Jeff Baker Acquired From Rockies; Ryan Freel DFA'd

2009-07-02T17:09:19Z

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

New Cub Jeff Baker scores a run during a spring training game vs. the White Sox. (I like this photo because it shows A.J. Pierzynski walking away dejectedly.)

For those of you who have screamed, about various players, "DFA! DFA!", today you got your wish.

Jeff Baker was acquired from Colorado for minor league pitcher Alberto Alburquerque, and he will be activated tonight (and wear #28). Ryan Freel was designated for assignment; that means he is removed from the 40-man roster, and within 10 days the Cubs have to either trade him, send him to the minors if he clears waivers, or release him.

Sam Fuld Leads Cubs To 4-1 Win Over Pirates (With Help From Randy Wells)

2009-07-02T02:07:07Z

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Write your own caption!

NOTE FROM AL: Once again, the Cubs and Pirates played a swift game Wednesday night, so this recap was originally posted at 9:07 pm Wednesday ... I've moved it to the top of the front page this morning, for those who weren't online Tuesday night. (Again, that's why the "tonight" references.)

So this is all it took?

Benching Alfonso Soriano for a day and starting Sam Fuld in left field?

Fuld made the most of his chance, leading off the game with his first major league hit, a double (yes, Jessica, they saved him the ball and probably pulled the usual trick, where they scribble all over a fake ball and give that to him, then hold the real one for later). He also made two fine defensive plays, capped by his bullseye throw that caught Jack Wilson trying to score in the fifth inning.

And just to make it an all-Fuld night, he caught a fly ball for the final out of the Cubs' 4-1 win over the Pirates. Derrek Lee chimed in with his 12th homer of the year, and Kosuke Fukudome also went deep, his first homer since May 26. Fukudome also made a nice diving catch in center field tonight.

Is it too early to start beating the drums for Randy Wells for Rookie of the Year? Seriously, who else in the National League in his first season is doing what Wells is? (Colby Rasmus, maybe.) Wells has made 10 starts, thrown 63 innings, and if he had enough (it'd be 75 at this writing, equalling the number of games his team has played), he'd rank third in the NL with a 2.43 ERA. Wells won't appear among the league leaders, most likely, until after the All-Star break, but his seven strong innings today make him one of the most consistent starters in the league. He's had only one bad start among his ten.

All told, the Cubs put up five extra-base hits including a triple from Geovany Soto, only the third of his major league career. It was suggested in one of the comment threads not long ago that Soriano's travails the last two months might be because he is trying too hard to carry the team in Aramis Ramirez's absence.

There's something to this, I think. Soriano is an all-out kind of player -- all or nothing, as we have too often found out. If he thinks he has to carry the weight of two players, it's no wonder he hasn't been hitting. If this theory is correct, Soriano should take off on one of his hot streaks as soon as Ramirez returns to Chicago on Monday after his three-day rehab assignment this weekend (incidentally, anyone here who's going to the Kane County game on Friday, please take photos!).

I was out for a while tonight and was listening on the radio, and in between the usual "Gosh!" comments from Ron Santo, there was some cogent commentary from Pat Hughes about Fuld, who told the broadcast team that during his brief callup in 2007, he didn't feel comfortable because he hadn't been to major league spring training and didn't really know anyone on the team. This year, as a member of the 40-man roster who had some shot, at least, of making the club out of camp, he said he knew many of the current players -- and on the current team, there are five other players who spent significant time at Iowa this year and two others (Koyie Hill, Micah Hoffpauir) who spent much of last year there as a teammate of Fuld. Watching Fuld bat tonight, he looked completely different than that kid who endeared himself to Cubs fans with his crashing-the-wall catch that resulted in a double play on September 22, 2007 vs. the Pirates at Wrigley Field. It's one of those things you can't put a statistical measure on -- he looked more confident, as if he belonged on a major league field, whereas he didn't really look like that two years ago.

Me? I'd start him again tomorrow. Ride the hot hand. Lou likes doing that. And thanks for the show tonight, Lou -- that's his first ejection of the season, arguing a close call at first base where Wells almost beat out an infield grounder. (Replays were inconclusive to me, though Len & Bob thought he was safe.) Lou could sit Milton Bradley tomorrow and play Fuld in right field. (Thanks, Milton, for the pair of walks tonight, I guess -- though I thought we signed you to be a big bat in that cleanup spot. Glad you bumped up your OBA.)

In any case, the Cubs ended the road trip with a series win and crept back to within 3.5 games of first-place Milwaukee (two down in the loss column -- win three of four this weekend and they'd be tied in the loss column). Nice way to start a new month.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 1

2009-07-02T05:53:57Z

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Chicago Cubs pitcher Randy Wells is showing that you never know who is going to come out of the minor leagues.

A major pitcher's duel in Des Moines tonight. And if Randy Wells even finishes in the top three in the ROY voting, I'll feel stupid for leaving him off my top 20 prospects list at the beginning of the season. Of course, everyone else did too.

Almost everyone lost tonight. Only the rookies saved the system.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were outlasted by the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 1-0 in 14 innings.

Jose Ascanio went back to starting and had four great innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Ascanio was then followed by, in order, James Russell, Jeff Stevens, Blake Parker and Justin Berg. John Gaub then threw a scoreless inning, but started the next one and had to be removed for an injury. Vince Perkins then walked the batter that Gaub had started on and when he came around to score, Gaub got the loss.

Darwin Barney was 1 for 5 in his AAA debut.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were downed by the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

Jeremy Papelbon started and pitched five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and three walks. Papelbon struck out three.

Jake Muyco pitched two innings and took the loss. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks. He didn't record a strikeout.

Left fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 3 with a walk. Shortstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Doug Deeds went 2 for 5.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were bitten by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-2

Ryan Searle has gone from all-star to the junk heap over the last month. Searle only lasted four innings tonight, allowing four runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs. Searle walked two but did strike out seven.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Campana has 23 steals so far this season. Second baseman Marwin Gonzalez scored once in a 2 for 3 game.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs lost to the Kane County Cougars, 3-2.

Starter Justin Bristow took the loss. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. One of the runs was unearned. Bristow struck out one.

Third baseman Jose Made had a triple in a 3 for 4 night. Made had two RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were choked and blinded by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-4

Starter Robert Hernandez didn't get the loss, but he got knocked around for four runs on four hits over four innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Hernandez walked one and struck out three.

AZL Cubs

The rookie league team salvaged the night and pounded the Indians, 12-3.

Catcher Richard Jones went 3 for 5 with two home runs and five RBI.

First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Wednesday 7/1, 6:05 CT

2009-07-01T23:00:18Z

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP