Cubs Pitchers No Match for A's Fast Break Offense

Oakland A's 2012 1st round draft pick (#11 overall) Addison Russell walked, tripled, and belted a two-run home run, Vicmal de la Cruz clobbered a solo home run and an RBI double, Reynaldo Mateo blasted a two-run HR, and Matt Olson singled twice and drove-in two runs, as the Athletics out-slugged the Cubs 13-8 in Arizona Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

Meanwhile, Jesse Hodges hammered a two-run home run and a double, Jorge Soler drilled a two-run triple, Marco Hernandez roped an opposite-field two run double, and Tim Saunders doubled, walked, stole a base, and drove-in a run, to help propel the Cub offense.

The 18-year old 6'1 210+ Hodges (2012 NDFA - Victoria, B. C.) was signed by the Cubs last month to a 2013 contract ("Signed for Future Service") after starring for the Canadian Junior National Team at the IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship in South Korea. He was used as a DH in today's game, but he is a third-baseman by trade.   

It was a real slugfest at Fitch Park today, as the A's pounded-out 15 hits, including eight extra-base hits (four doubles, a triple, and three home runs), while the Cubs collected eleven hits, including six extra-base hits (four doubles, a triple, and home run).

Cubs 2012 3rd round draft pick RHP Ryan McNeil (Nipomo HS - Nipomo, CA) had an especially poor outing, allowing three home runs in one inning (not easy to do at Fitch Park Caverns), while Cubs 2012 6th round draft pick RHP Trey Lang (Gateway CC) surrendered four doubles in 2.1 IP.

Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras left the game after injuring his right calf while throwing-out a runner at 2nd base on an inning-ending "strike 'em out - throw 'em out" DP in the 5th. He had to be helped off the field and appeared to be in intense pain.

A number of Cub executives were at today's game, including Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod, and Randy Bush.

And just to confirm what I mentioned here last week, Tim Cossins has replaced Brandon Hyde as the Cubs Minor League Field Coordinator. (Hyde was promoted to Director of Player Development after Oneri Fleita was fired). Cossins worked with Hyde in Miami, when Hyde was the Marlins bench coach and Cossins was the Marlins minor league catching instruction coordinator. 

Still no word on who will be replacing Dennis Lewallyn as the Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator. (Lewallyn took a minor league coaching position with the Atlanta Braves last week). Ron Villone (peoria), Jeff Fassero (Tennessee), Anderson Tavarez (DSL Cubs #1), and Rick Tronerud (Fitch Park Rehab) have been working as the pitching coaches at Instructs.   

Here is the abridged box score from today’s game (Cubs players only): 

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 1-4 (L-5, F-8, L-3, 2B, R)
2. Albert Almora, CF: 1-4 (4-3, 1B, 5-3, E-9, R)
3. Jorge Soler, RF: 1-4 (3-1, K, F-8, 3B, R, 2 RBI)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-4 (F-8, 1B, P-4, 4-3, RBI)
5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 1-4 (6-3, 5-3, 1B, F-9, R)
6. Yasiel Balaguert, LF: 1-4 (4-3, F-8, 1B, P-4, R)
7. Marco Hernandez, SS: 1-4 (P-6, K, 2B, 3-1, R, 2 RBI)
8a. Wilson Contreras, C: 0-1 (4-3)
8b. Justin Marra, PH-DH: 1-3 (1B, K, 3-1, R)
9a. Jesse Hodges, DH #1: 2-2 (2B, HR, R, 2 RBI)
9b. Chadd Krist, C: 0-2 (5-3, K)
10. Tim Saunders, DH #2: 1-2 (F-9, BB, 2B, RBI, SB)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Trey Lang: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 44 pitches (28 strikes), 6/0 GO/FO
2. Corbin Hoffner: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 32 pitches (19 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Juan Carlos Paniagua: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 40 pitches (25 strikes), 1/3 GO/FO
4. Carlos Martinez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 12 pitches (8 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
5. Ryan McNeil: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 3 HR, 49 pitches (24 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 1
CF Albert Almora - E-8 (three-base fielding error on ground single to CF allowed batter to circle the bases and score unearned run)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Wilson Contreras: 1-1 CS

WEATHER: Sunny and hot with temperatures in the 90’s

ATTENDANCE: 23