Game 102 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (1 of 4)

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SP *Scott Olsen SP Carlos Zambrano
  6-4, 3.84, 64 K, 45 BB, 124.1 IP
10-4, 2.98, 81 K, 44 BB, 126.2 IP
       
SS Hanley Ramirez LF Alfonso Soriano
2B #Alfredo Amezega SS Ryan Theriot
3B Jorge Cantu 1B Derrek Lee
LF *Mike Jacobs 3B Aramis Ramirez
CF Cody Ross CF Reed Johnson
RF Josh Willingham RF Mark DeRosa
LF *Luis Gonzalez C Henry Blanco
C *John Baker 2B Ronny Cedeno
P *Scott Olsen P #Carlos Zambrano

Word is that Kerry Wood will head to the disabled list afterall, although Gordon Wittenmeyer says a corresponding roster move may not come until tomorrow. That roster move may be bringing up Jeff Samardzija from Iowa, where's he 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA in six starts with 40 K's and 16 BB's in 37.1 IP. I look forward to it if it happens.

Otherwise, another lefty on the mound which gives another day to rest Fukudome and Edmonds, plus Soto gets a break. Hopefully the Friendly Confines live up to their billing as the Cubs try to hang on to sole possession of first place for another day. 

Tags: 
Gameday Open Thread
Carlos Zambrano
Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 6:12pm
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 9:10pm

in the Peoria game...

Some 17 players ejected, 3 guys thrown at, player broke his leg, a fan taken to hospital after getting hit by a ball and for some reason Carmelo Martinez is the interim manager. Did Ryno go to the HOF for the ceremony this weekend?

 

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/s/content/oh/sto...

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 10:39pm

Ryno is in Cooperstown:

http://www.peoriachiefs.com/news/current/index.htm...

As for the fight, I hope the Cubs release that pitcher that threw the ball in the stands. There is no excuse for that.

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 11:05pm

Julio Castillo is facing felony assault charges. Embarassing. What an intergalactic dumbass.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 8:13am

In the video up on the website that Rob linked to above you can see Castillo come in and whip the ball towards the end. I assume he was aiming for a Dayton player just to the left of the screen and must have missed and it sailed into the stands. What an idiot.

You have to wonder if Ryno had been there if things would have gone down differently. It really escalated when Martinez came out to argue with the Dayton manager and ended up pushing him. I don't see the convo between him and Ryno going down the same way though.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 8:37am

Sports Center said that he was trying to throw the ball into the dugout.

Submitted by Chifan
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:04am

Someone posted a Youtube video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=e36dZAmW8JU

If you are at work or taking care of young children you might want to turn the sound down as some commentry is provided by some drunk college kids it appears.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:25am

WTF is wrong with the cameraman in this clip. It is pretty much unwatchable. I have never seen a clip as bad as this, and the fact that this moron thought it would be useful to post on Youtube says a little more about him...
Unless it is supposed to capture the earthquake that was also occurring during the brawl, it pretty much captures nothing...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:30am

I'd recommend eating a couple of dramamine before attempting to watch that clip. I'm going to go lay down now.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:57am

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopag...
ESPN has a much better clip. You can actually see the Chiefs pitcher (#32) throw the ball, then he gets tackled by about six Dayton players, hopefully beaten to a pulp. What a dumbass! I hope he is suspended for the rest of the season.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 1:15pm

Anybody notice how a lot of the players are hopping around the field? It's more noticeable if you have the sound off -- all the hopping looks pretty surreal.

Submitted by O.Julius
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:28pm

I think I saw the Loch Ness Monster in there at one point.

Submitted by 10man
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 1:16pm

Oh cool, a clip from Cloverfield!

Submitted by Raisin101
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 11:23pm

Yes, Ryno is at the HOF ceremony.

The video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1459...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 10:02pm

38 pitch save...niiiiiice.

the way things have been going and with the brewers stealing a lead in their game in the 9th...i'll take it.

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 10:29pm

"I haven't asked him if he tried the Moises Alou approach. I'm sure his frustration level probably has been conducive to trying that for now. But I didn't want to ask."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080724-ker...

Sullivan also confirms the Shark call-up.

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:54am

Wood frustrated? It's a blister, bro. Go look back at the last five years of your career and be thankful for your effing blister.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 1:21am

Rich Hill update from earlier this eve for Daytona--

IP 5.0, H 1, R 1, ER 1, BB 5, K 7.

He seemed to get better as time went on -- all five walks were in the first 3 innings and he finished with a 1-2-3 5th inning, striking out the side.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stat...

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 8:27am

That's pretty good news about Hill. I would guess that they'll probably move him up to AA for his next start, though I am not sure there's much reason to rush him at this point.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:50am

5 bb in 5 ip is good news? Yikes.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:58am

The 5 walks are not particularly good news. The fact that he went through 5 innings, and only allowed one run are, though...

Submitted by Bleeding Blue
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:00am

If I pitcher I'm hoping will be part of the big league club is throwing in A ball, I'm worried a lot more about how he's throwing than what the result of the game it.

Its all good and well that kids in the Florida State League only tagged Hill for 1 run, but if he's walking one per inning against free swinging 19 and 20 year olds, then I think he's got a long way to go to fix the control problems that sent him to the minors in the first place.

Submitted by billybucks
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 8:15am

Felix 4-for-5 last night, with a double, triple, BB and SB.

His numbers look a lot better recently -- has anyone seen him? Has he changed his swing/approach, or has he just gone back to what was successful at AAA before?

I was at the ballpark last night - the 8th and 9th almost did me in.

Submitted by billybucks
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 8:56am

On the A-Ram double where D-Lee was thrown out at the plate -- Gonzo threw to the relay man, who threw home to get Lee. The box score shows an OF assist for Gonzo.

I guess that makes sense -- just seems a little odd. When you think of OF assists, you think of an OF throwing a guy out, rather than using a relay man to do it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 10:02am

but may start Saturday...
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/10742...

which then would make the starters against the Brewers: Marquis, Lilly, Z, Dempster instead of Lilly, Z, Dempster, Harden.

Brewers I believe will send out CC, Sheets, Parra and Bush.

Submitted by billybucks
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 10:06am

Strange -- your closer goes down, so you add another starter?

Unless they want to give Harden another extra day off.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 10:06am

From the same article, the story on the draft violations:

''We just had a few clerical errors in the dates of reporting [signing
bonuses],'' he said. ''There's no dollars that weren't spent or hidden
or things like that. Two of our draft choices were signed to above the
slot figures [MLB's suggested bonus levels], which is perfectly legal.
But the protocol of when the amounts were called in were not on the day
or two before maybe they should have been called in.''

 And Edmonds knee is fine and should be available starting today....

Submitted by Andrew
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 10:49am

Can't we rest Harden another series? We really could use every game we can get against the Brewers. Basically switching Harden for Marquis (who now would pitch against CC) doesn't exactly sound like it helps our chances for that game.

Submitted by billybucks
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:15am

Maybe they pitch the Shark Saturday, Marquis Sundsy, then move Harden to start the Brewers series? You would then hit the Brewers with Harden, Lilly, Z and Demp. I like Lilly between Harden and Z -- 3 different looks.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:31am

Submitted by Hawkeye on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 10:05pm.

 Julio Castillo is facing felony assault charges. Embarassing. What an intergalactic dumbass

===============================

HAWKEYE: Julio Castillo was at Fitch Park last year, and he's the guy everybody calls "Animal." Why? He caught a rat at one of the other AZL facilities last year and supposedly kept it as a pet in his motel room.

Animal is from the jungles of the Dominican Republic, near the border with Haiti. He is a legend in the Cubs minor leagues.

He got a late start on the 2008 season because of a "pending legal matter" back in the Dominican, but he apparently beat the rap.

He also throws 95-96 MPH.

Submitted by Indiana JJ
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:47am

He also throws 95-96 MPH

Apparently has control issues though. From the video it looked like he was about 30 feet from the dugout when he threw AND HE MISSED.

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:17pm

AZ Phil...
... do you think that the Cubs should summarily release him? I know that he has lots of raw talent, but it is worth the shenanigans?

What do you think of Samardzija's (I tried spelling it this time with out looking it up) potential start? I think that there is no question that he has the bravado, but I question that logic of using him against the Milwaukee Alcoholics...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:24pm

I think the plan is for Samardzija to start tomorrow against the Marlins....if that happens, then it's likely Marquis, Lilly, Z, and Dempster versus the Brewers. Although the suggestion to hold Harden back one more day and switch him with Marquis is a good one.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:53am

INDIANA JJ: Yes, Animal does have control issues (I'm just talking about his pitching here). He had 30 BB in 31.2 IP between Boise and Peoria last season. However, he also is said to have one of the Top 5 "power arms" in the Cubs farm system, along with Andrew Cashner, Jose Ceda, Rocky Roquet and Rafael Dolis (or at least Dolis pre-TJS, anyway). 

Submitted by 433
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:54am

How odd is it that until last night, the Cubs hadn't had a save opportunity since Wood's last one on July 11? He is definitely missed, but at least there haven't been any blown saves (or any saves, for that matter) in his absence.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:32pm

according to Bruce Miles...headed to the bullpen.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/294

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:37pm

they seem to be plugging that he's tweaked his delivery a bit to help him hide the ball more as the reason for his success in Iowa.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:40pm

Also of note according to Wilken, who saw Samardzija pitch in a game
against Albuquerque on June 29, is Samardzija’s progression with his
slider and splitter.


“There’s a little more depth to it (the slider),” Wilken said. “He’s
shown an average changeup and has a good feel for it, and he’s
tinkering with a split and the split just disappears at times. I would
say there’s good light at the end of the tunnel here.”


“He’s getting more groundballs now because hitters can’t pick the ball
up as quickly. That’s because he’s repeating his delivery better,”
added Wilken.

 

http://cubs.scout.com/2/772252.html

Submitted by Chad
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:35pm

With Z set to pitch against the Crew on tuesday, why the F was he allowed to pitch that 7th inning? 130 f#$%ing pitches?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:47pm

good thing pitch counts don't matter. :)

it was 125 fwiw and he had 106 heading into the inning.  I assume a somewhat short-handed bullpen was the reason. 

not thrilled with it myself, but considering we're playing the Brewers, I don't think they'll hold him back the next game. Maybe the start after...

Now he might be less effective, but that remains to be seen.

 

 

Submitted by Chad
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 1:31pm

as you know, i'm not concerned about injury. but i am concerned about exhaustion.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:44pm

Submitted by Hawkeye on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:17am.

AZ Phil... ... do you think that the Cubs should summarily release him? I know that he has lots of raw talent, but it is worth the shenanigans?

What do you think of Samardzija's (I tried spelling it this time with out looking it up) potential start? I think that there is no question that he has the bravado, but I question that logic of using him against the Milwaukee Alcoholics...

===================================

HAWKEYE: I think Julio Castillo should be released.

As for Jeff Samardzija, I wouldn't have even brought him up. I would have just waited until tomorrow (Saturday) and reactivated Jon Lieber from the DL (he is eligible to come off the DL on 7/26).

Lieber looked perfectly healthy in his three-inning (33 pitches) rehab start for the AZL Cubs at Fitch Park on Tuesday.

And then when Kerry Wood (hopefully) comes off the DL on Tuesday, I would option Sean Marshall to Iowa and keep him stretched-out as a starter, in case a replacement starter is needed later in the season.  

 

Submitted by Chad
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:44pm

Also I heard this elsewhere:

"supposedly before the hit, he looked over at Reed and Reed gave him the signal with his two hands against teh side of his face that "he was tired", DeRosa saw this as the "hands together" signal to move closer, so Derosa took a few steps over toward center. "

Do you guys know about this?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 12:52pm

this on DeRosa's big catch?

I only saw the highlight, so I can't say.

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