Angels Fly Away with Shutout at Fitch Park

Michael Bolaski slugged a 450-ft+ two-run HR over the CF Batter’s Eye (“Green Monster”) and five EXST Angels pitchers combined to throw a seven-hit shutout, as the EXST Cubs were blanked 3-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.


The game was extended an extra inning to allow Cubs and Angels pitchers to get their scheduled work.


Continuing his injury rehab assignment, RHP Todd Wellemeyer got the start for the Cubs today and threw three innings (42 pitches). He allowed one run on four hits (three singles and a double) and a HBP, issuing no walks, while striking out three. The only run allowed by Wellemeyer scored in the top of the 2nd inning (lead-off double, ground out, and a sacrifice fly).



After struggling with the AZL Cubs in 2010 (8.22 ERA, 2.02 WHIP, and .311 Opp BA in 15.1 IP), AZ Instructional League post-2010 (8.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, and .381 Opp BA in 9.0 IP), and Minor League Camp and the first two weeks of Extended Spring Training in 2011, Cubs 2010 4th round draft pick LHP Hunter Ackerman (Louisburg JC) had what was probably his best pro outing to date today, throwing 2.2 IP of shutout ball, and allowing just one hit and a walk, while striking out five. 


While the Cubs were playing the Angels on Field #3, LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke, RHP (ex-3B) Charles Thomas, and RHP Larry Suarez (injury rehab - unknown type injury) threw “live” BP to the most of the Cubs position players who were not in the lineup on Field #3.


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


NOTE: To practice his bunting, Todd Wellemeyer took an insert-AB with no outs and a runner at 1st base in the top of the 1st inning


LINEUP:
X. Todd Wellemeyer, P: 0-0 (2-4 SH)
1. Vismeldy Bieneme, DH #1: 0-2 (HBP, 1-3, K)
2. Reggie Golden, RF: 0-3 (5-U FC, K, K, CS)
3. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-3 (P-4, K, 3-U)
4. Xavier Batista, 1B: 1-3 (F-8, 1B, F-8)
5a. Chad Noble, C: 1-2 (2B, 4-3)
5b. Johan DeJesus, C: 0-1 (F-7)
6. Blair Springfield, DH #2: 1-3 (K, 5-3, 1B)
7. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 0-3 (L-8, 6-3, 5-4-3 DP)
8. Max Kwan, LF: 1-3 (6-3, 2B, K)
9. Dustin Harrington, SS: 1-3 (1B, 5-3, K, CS)
10. Eduardo Gonzalez, CF: 1-3 (K-DP, L-7, 1B)
11a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 1st TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
11b. Gregori Gonzalez, DH #3: 1-2 (1B, 6-4 FC, CS)


PITCHERS:
1. Todd Wellemeyer: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 42 pitches (29 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Hunter Ackerman: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 44 pitches (28 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
3. Ben Wells: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 32 pitches (19 strikes), 5/1 GO/FO
4. Joe Zeller: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 32 pitches (22 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
NOTE: Zeller’s first inning of work was stopped with two outs when he reached his max pitch limit for that inning


ERRORS: NONE


CATCHERS DEFENSE
Chad Noble: 2-3 CS


BASERUNNING MISADVENTURES:
Chad Noble was thrown out at 3rd base (made the third out at 3rd base) trying to stretch a double into a triple


ATTENDANCE: 17


WEATHER: Sunny & VERY breezy with temperatures in the 80’s

Tags: 
Extended Spring Training
EXST Cubs
Todd Wellemeyer
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 4:04pm
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 6:32pm

a different take on trading the Legend of Sam Fuld

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?c...

The legend of Sam Fuld just keeps on growing in Tampa Bay. But you won't hear the Cubs second-guessing themselves for adding him to the package in the Matt Garza deal.

Remember, the oft-injured Fuld was a left-handed-hitting outfielder who was out of options and stuck behind two other left-handed-hitting outfielders (Kosuke Fukudome and Tyler Colvin) on the depth chart. So the Cubs were almost certainly going to have to move Fuld someplace sometime before Opening Day. When Tampa Bay offered them Fernando Perez, a switch-hitter who could play center field, the pieces fit, and they had themselves a deal.

"Neither side pushed for either guy," said one source familiar with the discussions. "It was just one of those deals where two teams helped each other out."

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:54am

I have no regrets trading Fuld. He hadn't shown any ability to hit for any power, even just a few doubles here and there, with us. He wouldn't have made the team out of spring training unless there were a couple of OF injuries.

He's a fun player, but he's not going to hit like this for a full season. He's a backup OF, best served as a defensive replacement and PR. But if he proves me wrong, good for him.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 5:07am

I don't regret losing Fuld either, but I always wonder why we sign guys like Reed Johnson instead of just using a gut like Fuld. He was part of the deal and that's that, but to me there's not much risk in filling out the 23-25 spots on your roster with organizational fodder. If they end up becoming a serviceable backup at the MLB minimum that can help a team with payroll concerns. They're paying an extra 500k to Johnson to do what Fuld could have done. The same for K Hill, and there's an extra million to spend/save.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:54am

Fuld left handed hitting and cannot be trusted to play defense at Wrigely without endangering his life.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:54am

I don't regret losing Fuld either, but I always wonder why we sign guys like Reed Johnson instead of just using a gut like Fuld.

I didn't know that Sam Fuld batted from the right side.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 11:14am

Point taken. Maybe we don't have either a right handed version of Fuld or a poor man's Reed Johnson in the organization.

Submitted by navigator
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 7:07pm

Not to quibble, but I recently read (and in more than one source) that the Rays were trying to pry Fuld away from the Cubs and wanted him included in any deal for Garza.

e.g.

NY Times: "Jim Hendry, told Fuld that the Rays had wanted him for a long time."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/sports/base...

Check it out. He was no "throw-in."

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 7:15pm

they're not necessarily mutually exclusive...

you can want a guy, doesn't mean they pushed for him to the point that the deal would have been off if he wasn't included. That would have been Chris Archer. I'm sure the deal still gets made w/o Fuld or Perez involved.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:52pm

This is not like Dallas green demanding Sandberg in Dejsus deal .

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 7:17pm

over/under on 6 Rockies HR's tonight?

Submitted by chuck
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 8:28pm

Everyone, well almost everyone, has been complaining about Quade starting Coleman and Russell. After Cashner and Wells went down who was he supposed to start? Who is he supposed to start? He just has who Hendry gives him.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:05pm

Also note, most of us were bemoaning the fact that somehow, there is no starter ready at AAA or AA to step in for a few starts? That using a reliver for 3 starts is silly, and taxing the rest of the bullpen. Not to mention that Russell stunk as a starter in the minors, and hasn't been great as a reliever.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:57am

chuck,

You may remember a couple days after the Cubs released Carlos Silva that Quade bragged to the reporters it was his decision not to give him a bullpen spot - leaving the Cubs with no long releiver and Casey Coleman as their #6 starter.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:46am

~sigh~

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 8:49am

now lost 3 in a row despite scoring multiple 1st inning runs in each game...

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 10:30am

Oh, Goodie! Koyie is in the lineup Wednesday, along with Colvin and Pena. Baker hitting 3rd... This is absolutely CRAPTASTIC!

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 10:37am

Here's the Cubs lineup:

Fukudome RF

Castro SS

Baker 2B

Ramirez 3B

Pena 1B

Byrd CF

Colvin LF

Hill C

Coleman P

I understand Soto getting the day off, but on Friday if Quade doesn't try Soto batting third he should be fired.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 10:55am

This is sort of funny, because I was just doing some trivia at work and got stuck on the answer "What is the best way to turn a three game losing streak into a four game streak?" Thanks Quade, you are the man.

Maybe if Zambrano goes on the DL they could make Stevens a starter.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:54pm

lol

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 10:56am

Hmmm...Let's check this out:

Fuke - I suppose as good as any to lead off with his .OBP so far

Castro - OK

Baker - he has been our top performer at the plate along w/Castro.

So far, its tolerable.

Ramirez - not hitting for power much these days. Bat him 6th

Pena - not hitting for power, average, with RISP, with RISP and 2-outs. Bat him 7th

Byrd - not hitting for power, average, with RISP, with RISP and 2-outs. Bat him 7th

Colvin - See Byrd and Pena. Bat him 8th

Hill - See Colvin, + don't bat him at all. He sucks ass.

Coleman - probably hits better than Hill. Bat him 8th.

There you go! Your 2011 Chicago Cubs: Leading the League with #7/8 Hitters Starting!

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:05pm

Trying to create a good lineup out of what Hendry has built is like trying to make jewels out of concrete. Baker has had a good start but the mere fact that Quade feels compelled to bat him third says a lot about Hendry's offseason, or lack thereof.

EDIT: Actually, to state the obvious, it says a lot about hole Hendry dug himself with the Soriano gamble, etc.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:31pm

Fukudome gamble, Pena gamble

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:38pm

I think the Soriano and Fukudome moves qualify as gambles. The Pena move was a relatively minor one, in my book. They needed someone to fill that space for one year, until the Pujols/Fielder sweepstakes start. It's not like the Cubs were a quality hitting first baseman away from a World Series appearance here.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:53pm

Ya know Jace, I am beginning to wonder if the Cubs will be in the play for serious FA's after this year.

Tom Ricketts seems to be focused on "building from within" - when compared to spending money on players.

We'll see - but I will not be holding my breath.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:32pm

Tom Ricketts isn't focused on anything but getting the public to fix Wrigley Dump up for him.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:56pm

Roy Oswalt leaves Phils for "personal reasons"

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/27/2137009/roy...

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:22pm

Tornado related, his family is freaked out, tornadoes destroyed his neighborhood and might have damaged his home. And it says last year his parent's home was destroyed by a tornado. Yikes. Talk about bad luck or angering the gods.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:37pm

At this point, I would say it is time to declare his rehab complete. He is ready to throw as much as Russell is on any given start. Give that guy a plane ticket, and get him lined up to pitch the next time Russell's slot rolls around...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:20pm

One big problem with that... who is going to take Coleman's spot?

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:22pm

Yeah, no kidding... Look, at least I have a plan for one of the Cibs most glaring problems... We could just have rainouts each time one of these guys is due to pitch, until Cashner and Wells are ready to come back.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:27pm

given the make-up date for today's game is so far away they can at least skip one of the bums next go around.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:30pm

That works.

Instead of Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, for us it should be, pray for a biblical flood.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 1:57pm

is there an estimated start time on this game?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:17pm

They just called the game. That was quick. No word yet on a doubleheader.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:18pm

Sullivan says game will be made up on Monday, 6/27 at 1:20 pm

http://twitter.com/#!/cst_cubs

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:19pm

boo.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:19pm

That fancy new drainage system at Wrigley and they call them game less than an hour after start time. Amazing.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:21pm

the radar may be wonky, but it looks like it's been clear there for a while.

odd.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:25pm

It's been raining here pretty much all day.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:45pm

gotcha...thnx.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:32pm

God did not want to see Jeff Baker bat third.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:39pm

But he's been OK with Marlon Byrd?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:17pm

FLA shows the world how to over-manage a bullpen.

nice work e.rodriguez.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=3104...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:22pm

Well Edward Mujica was clearly gassed: he threw one pitch in two-thirds of an inning of work.

Jeff Stevens is probably requesting a trade to the Marlins as we speak.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:28pm

7 relievers, pinch hit for 2.

BTW, how does Chris Coghlan pronounce his name?

Last couple of years I heard it as Cog-lan.

This year I heard an announcer call him Cough-lan.

Did Coghlan change his own pronunciation?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 2:34pm

MLB Network has The Rundown on, they keep cutting in on the Reds/Brewers game, and two other games about to start.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 3:33pm

Brewer's reliever John Axford has a Wyatt Earp look going on. (Or Skeet Ulrich?)

http://www.drockphoto.com/2010/12/18/two-days...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 3:35pm

ken macha has aged so much since he became a manager.

he's 60 going on 80 in that photo of him in that collection. yow.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 3:50pm

Yeah, managing must be a bit like being president, all of those guys are under so much stress they look significantly older after just a couple years on the job.

There's also a cool press-box photo at the bottom of that page, in Milwaukee they apparently write on the wall who the hitter and pitcher was when a foul ball comes into the press box.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 3:56pm

If Quade sticks around a long time we won't be able to tell he's aged. In fact, he might be 350 years old now!

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 4:01pm

3/44, but check out this great picture...

Elmo is one bad motherf#cker

http://www.drockphoto.com/2009/05/09/elmos-end/

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 4:10pm

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/27/...

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 4:33pm

No spitting?

/one magic loogie

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 4:21pm

Z supposedly going tomorrow...coleman going 4 games from now.

actually, though coleman going 4 days from now makes sense...i'm not sure they got "Z going tomorrow" correct on the ARZ game graphic (they're playing ARZ next).

dempster probably going, then Z, then garza, then coleman...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 4:39pm

dumpster, z, garza, coleman (thur-sun)

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 8:50am

I was going to put a dig about Coleman in here, but our pitchers all suck, so really I guess Coleman shouldn't bother me more than anyone else currently in the rotation.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 9:10am

Well at least Coleman had 1 good start out of 3? (ducks)

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