Spencer Hits Early and Often at Extended Spring Training

Xavier Batista and Blair Springfield drove-in two runs a piece in a four-run Cubs 2nd, and Matt Spencer whacked a home run over the RF fence leading-off the bottom of the 3rd, as the EXST Cubs held-on to defeat the EXST A's 6-5 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.



At Extended Spring Training while rehabbing from a broken toe suffered last month in Minor League Camp, Matt Spencer hit in each of the first five innings of today’s game (he batted in all nine innings yesterday), going 2-4 with the solo HR, a single, and a walk. He left the game after playing just five innings, possibly an indication that he has completed his rehab assignment and will be re-joining the AA Tennessee Smokies tomorrow or Monday. (Spencer was acquired from the Oakland A's last December along with pitchers Jeff Gray and Ronny Morla for IF-OF Jake Fox and INF Aaron Miles).


Trailing 1-0, the Cubs erupted for four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Spencer led-off with a line single, Charles Thomas drew a walk, and Sergio Burruel was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Then with one out, 18-year old Dominican slugger Xavier Batista ripped a double off the LF fence to drive-in two, and with two outs, Blair Springfield lined a single to right-center to plate the other two runs.


The Cubs scored their final runs of the day in the bottom of the third inning. Spencer hit a lead-off HR over the RF fence, and then Vismeldy Bieneme drew a walk, Pin-Chieh Chen singled to right (Chen’s second hit of the day) sending Bieneme to 3rd, and Charles Thomas bounced an RBI single with a lot of top-spin through the box and into CF to knock-in Bieneme.


The Cubs bullpen did a pretty good job in the middle innings, at one point retiring 13 A's batters in a row. 20-year old Dominican LHP Marcos Perez was especially impressive, throwing two perfect 1-2-3 innings, striking out three, and doing it while throwing only 14 pitches (13 for strikes!). In two apperarances so far for the EXST Cubs, Perez has thrown four perfect innings (29 pitches - 24 strikes), with four strikeouts.  If the Peoria Chiefs are in need of another lefty reliever (and it would appear they are), I would think that M. Perez is definitely a strong candidate to get tabbed. 


In EXST Cubs roster news, LHP James Leverton has been moved up to Peoria, replacing RHP Jon Nagel, who was placed on the Chiefs 7-day DL. Leverton struck out all four batters he faced in his only EXST appearance last Monday.   


Here is today’s abridged box score (EXST Cubs players only):


NOTE: 1B Matt Spencer batted in each of the first five innings, getting five plate appearances total in the game.


LINEUP
X. Matt Spencer, 1B: 2-4 (4-3, 1B, HR, BB, 4-3, 2 R, RBI)
1. Vismeldy Bieneme, 3B: 0-2 (4-3, BB, 6-3, R)
2. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, F-8, CS)
3a. SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES
3b. Melvin Camarena, 1B: 0-1 (F-8)
4. Charles Thomas, DH #1: 1-2 (BB, 1B, P-4, R, RBI)
5a. Sergio Burruel, C: 0-1 (HBP, 6-4-3 GIDP, R)
5b. Jose Guevara, C: 0-1 (K)
6. Arismendy Alcantara, SS 0-3 (P-7, 1-3, K)
7. Xavier Batista, RF: 1-3 (2B, 5-4-3 GIDP, 6-3, R, 2 RBI)
8. Manuel Pestana, LF: 0-3 (5-3, K, F-8)
9. Blair Springfield, DH #2: 1-3 (1B, P-4, P-4, 2 RBI)
10. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 0-2 (K, K)


PITCHERS:
1. Luis Liria – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 1/4 GO/FO, 50 pitches (32 strikes)
2. John Mincone – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 3/1 GO/FO, 34 pitches (18 strikes)
3. Marcos Perez – 2.0 IP, 0H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 14 pitches (13 strikes)
4. Yohan Gonzalez – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 33 pitches (21 strikes)


ERRORS (1):
2B Pin-Chieh Chen E-4 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base with one out in the top of the 3rd inning – did not score).


CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Sergio Burruel: 0-1 CS, 1 PB


OUTFIELD ASSIST:
LF Manuel Pestana threw out batter 7-4 trying to stretch a single down LF line into a double with no outs in the top of the 2nd inning.


ATTENDANCE: 16


WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80’s

Tags: 
Extended Spring Training
EXST Cubs
Matt Spencer
James Leverton
Xavier Batista
Blair Springfield
Marcos Perez
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 3:31pm
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Comments

Submitted by Andrew
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 4:51pm

Z might have some competition for the Silver Slugger this year. Lincecum's 3-3 with 3 RBI in the 5th in LA.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 6:24pm

woah cora (NYM)...and this NYM/STL game is f'n good.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 7:13pm

bases loaded, 2 out, bottom 12...carrer 0 for 1 pitcher jason motte hits for himself...strikeout. nice.

to the 13th...

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 7:42pm

14 inning games don't just expose bullpens: The FOX announcers are frigging terrible--sports announcing is generally terrible, but FOX is especially intolerable.

Submitted by Wes
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 8:06pm

Just did it again with Hawkesworth. Tony, feel free to use your backup catcher at any point during this game.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 8:25pm

Yeah, that was really strange. Bottom of the inning, runners on 2nd and 3rd, the Mets walk Pujols with Blakesworth in the on deck circle--you'd think they'd at least make it look like they were going pinch hit for him. Then bases juiced with two outs, they let him hit for himself. That's a lot of questionable.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 8:44pm

this game is f'n crazy...to the 17th

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:06pm

tony larussa is officially retarded..or about to look like a genius.

now pitching in the top 18th...felipe lopez.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:08pm

He doesn't look like he's ever thrown from the mound before. His throwing motion looks like he's pitching batting practice. 76 mph fastballs that he's having trouble throwing for strikes.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:11pm

The crazy thing about Felipe Lopez pitching is that Kyle Lohse is playing left field. ?????

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:14pm

my god...it...worked...

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:14pm

I hate the Cardinals.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:24pm

joe mather pitching now...

this is f'n stupid.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:31pm

The craziest part about LaRussa's "strategy" might have been not using Franklin before the 17th when he's the home team. Who does that?

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:33pm

Maybe we need Mather and Lopez for our bullpen.

Seriously, I hate the Cardinals. And I hate to see such stupid managing almost succeed.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:47pm

Guess you can't get shut out for 19 innings if you have Pujols in your lineup.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:30pm

they're gonna score off the position players, right?

dear god.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:39pm

I hear both teams are going to fire their hitting coaches after the game.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:40pm

Jesus, how cocky is LaRussa?

12 hits, 10 BB's no runs. Wonder when that last time that happened was.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:43pm

Not to mention trying to steal with the best hitter in 20 years up at the plate, down by one in the 19th.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:55pm

No kidding. What was that steal attempt all about?

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 11:07pm

What a dunderhead.

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:54pm

What a game.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 10:08pm

no doubt...and with a great ending on the "who should win" side of things.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 6:32pm

I wouldn't call it great. I'd call it less bad. The Mets are pretty hosey with their big budget and failure to win consistently. They remind me of something I can't quite put my finger on.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 11:23am

Monday: Randy Wells vs. Jonathan Niese
Tuesday: Carlos Zambrano vs. Mike Pelfrey
Wednesday: Carlos Silva vs. Oliver Perez
Thursday: Tom Gorzelanny vs. Johan Santana

tough draw for Gorz...

still no lineup yet for today

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 12:20pm

Theriot (SS),Byrd (CF),Lee (1B),Ramirez (3B),Nady (RF),Soriano (LF),Baker (2B),Soto (C), Dempster(P)

will Theriot ever get a day off this season?

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 12:23pm

starting fontenot at SS doesn't seem like something lou's ready to commit to...be interesting to know how much pre-game infield fonte takes at SS whether he's playing there or not that day.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 12:37pm

Theriot isn't going to sit on many days that a lefty starts.

But I agree--I don't think Lou has much interest in using Fontenot at SS. I think he just wanted to make sure that he had room on the roster for Nady, Tracy, and Colvin.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 1:00pm

"will Theriot ever get a day off this season?"

After Sept 1 he'll get time off while Castro plays, unless the Cubs are in the playoff picture.

Submitted by Wes
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 1:09pm

Rough go for Jason Marquis today.. did not record an out.

Final line: 0IP 4H 1BB 7ER

Here's all the damage the Brewers did:

Weeks 1B, Counsell 1B, Braun RBI 1B, Fielder HBP, McGehee bases loaded BB, Edmonds bases loaded HBP, Zaun RBI 1B.

Then Miguel Baustisa came in and gave up a single, a sac fly, and a Counsell granny.

Ten in the first for the Brewers.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 2:38pm

Not resting Theriot will work out really well, since he has a consistent track record of running out of gas in the second half - 20 points lower avg in the second half for his career, and 45 points lower avg in September than August.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 3:27pm

is yahoo stattracker being flakey for anyone else?

i havent been able to have it work for 2 days now...freezes at 95%

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 3:35pm

We need some Marmol aid.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 4:07pm

Cubbery at its finest.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 4:09pm

i propose renaming the bullpen the bullshitpen

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 6:35pm

It's funny. I had to leave to do a bit of grocery shopping in the top of the 8th. I thought, is it possible that we can finish this out without any Cubbery?

Why do I even ask? It's like I keep getting back together with a girlfriend that consistently breaks my heart. I'm Cubby whipped. I'm also fairly self loathing about it these days. How's that saying go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 102 times, fill me up with Thorazine.

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