Brenly Learns Son Good (So Far)

Newly-signed Michael Brenly wasted no time getting started, as the youngster slammed a line-drive opposite-field RBI single and stole a base, and RHP Chris Huseby threw three shoutout innings in what was definitely his best outing of 2008, as the EXST Cubs played a three-inning intrasquad game on Fitch Park Field #3 this morning.

Brenly, the Cubs 36th round draft pick out of UNLV and the son of Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly,reported to Fitch Park yesterday and, after meeting the guys and taking some BP, settled right in. And being one day ahead of the other new arrivals, Brenly became the first of the new Cubs to see game action, serving as a DH in today's game.

This will probably be the last "combined" workout for Boise/Mesa (EXST Cubs), as the Boise Hawks roster was to be posted in the clubhouse after the conclusion of the game and the Hawks will be leaving for Idaho tomorrow (although it's possible that the Hawks will have a workout at Fitch Park before leaving for the airport).

After arrival in Boise, the team will attend a banquet where each Hawk player will be paired with a "host family." The player stays free of charge with his host family, and essentially becomes part of the household for the next 2-1/2 months. Although the host families are not compensated financially for their generosity, they do receive season tickets to Hawks games as part of the deal.

Several other newly-signed Cubs 2008 draft picks reported to Fitch Park for their physicals this morning, after which they got their uniforms (this isn't Mississippi State, you know) and reported to Coach Josh Arteaga on Field #2 for a short work-out (infield & outfield practice, and a BP session).

Among the new arrivals at Fitch Park this morning were RHP Jay Jackson (9th round pick out of Furman), 2B Jake Opitz (12th round pick out of Nebraska), 1B Ryan Keedy (16th round pick out of UAB), and CF David Macias (19th round pick out of Vanderbilt). There were also two or three others on the field I was unable to identify (they apparently weren't told to check-in with me first before taking the field). 

Here is the abridged box score from today's intrasquad game...

NOTE: The lineups were structured based on the players defensive positions, which is why the two first-basemen were the lead-off hitters, and why Starlin Castro batted clean-up for probably the first time in his life.

SQUAD "A"
1. Bryan Jost, 1B: 1-2 (R)
2. Dwayne Kemp, 2B: 1-1 (2 R, BB, SB)
3. Josh Vitters, 3B: 1-2 (RBI, R)
4. Michael Brenly, DH #1: 1-2 (RBI, SB)
5. Junior Lake, SS: 0-2 (K)
6. Kevin Soto, LF: 2-2 (2 RBI, 2B)
7. Leon Johnson, CF: 0-1 (BB)
8. Nelson Perez, RF: 0-1 (GIDP)
9. Carlos Perez, C: 0-1
10. Jeffrey Rea, DH #2: 0-1

SQUAD "B"
1. Drew Rundle, 1B: 0-2 (GIDP)
2. Marwin Gonzalez, 2B: 1-1 (BB, SB)
3. John Contreras, 3B: 0-2 (2 K)
4. Starlin Castro, SS: 0-1
5. George Matheus, LF: 0-1
6. Cesar Salazar, CF: 0-1
7. Kyler Burke, RF: 1-1 
8. Jose Made, DH: 0-1
9. Roberto Sabates, C: 0-0 (BB)

PITCHERS:

SQUAD "A"
1. Chris Huseby - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP

SQUAD "B"
1. Carlos Rojas - 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP
2. Arik Hempy - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R  (1 ER),  1 BB, 0 K 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Carlos Perez: 0-1 CS
Roberto Sabates: 0-2 CS

ERRORS (5) :
Junior Lake (2) - two E-6, one an overthow at 1st base, and one dropped throw on a 4-6 FC attempt.
Marwin Gonzalez  - one E-4, muffed ground ball allowing batter to reach base. 
Roberto Sabates (2) - two E-2, both errant throws to 2nd base trying to cut-down base-stealers, where ball bounced past middle infielder into CF, allowing runners to advance to 3rd base.

WEATHER: Very hot, with game-time temperature in the the 90's on the way to 110.

ATTENDANCE: 4