Cubs Learn Pleasures of a Walk in the Park
Leon Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, scoring pinch-runner Darwin Barney with the winning run, as the Cubs AZ Instructional League team edged the Oakland A's Instructional League team 5-4 this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.
The Cubs spotted the A's an early four-run lead, as 21-year old Venezuelan RHP Hernan Ramos (signed as a NDFA out of Ellsworth CC in Iowa at the August 15th deadline) was roughed up for four runs on three hits, a walk and a HBP in the top of the third.
But the Cubs came right back, scoring one run in the bottom of the 3rd on a two out RBI single by Leon Johnson following a double by Bryan Jost, and three more in the bottom of the 4th on a lead-off triple into the RF corner by Marwin Gonzalez, followed by a trilogy of RBI doubles slammed off the outfield fence by Josh Donaldson, Cliff Andersen, and Jovan Rosa.
The game remained a 4-4 tie going into the bottom of the 9th, when Josh Vitters led-off with a line single to LF. With Darwin Barney pinch-running for Vitters at first, Jovan Rosa failed three times trying to execute a sac bunt, and struck out. But Drew Rundle picked-up his teammate, bouncing a single between first and second into RF, sending the speedy Barney to third.
With the tying run on 3rd base and only one out, Gian Guzman struck out swinging, but Bryan Jost worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases, setting the stage for Johnson's grand base on balls.
Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only)
LINEUP:
1. Leon Johnson , CF (1-3, 2 RBI, BB, SH)
2. Mark Reed , 1B (0-4)
3. Marwin Gonzalez , SS (1-4, R, 3B)
4A. Josh Donaldson , C (2-2, R, RBI, 2B)
4B. Steve Clevenger , C (0-1, BB)
5. Cliff Andersen , LF (1-3, R, RBI, 2B, BB, K, GIDP)
6A. Josh Vitters , 3B (1-4, K)
6B. Darwin Barney , PR (0-0, R)
7. Jovan Rosa , DH #1 (1-4, RBI, 2B, 2 K)
8A. Drew Rundle , RF (1-3, BB)
8B. Ty Wright , PR (0-0)
9. Gian Guzman , 2B (1-3, HBP, K, PO)
10. Bryan Jost , DH #2 (1-1, R, 2B, 2 BB, SH)
PITCHERS:
1. Donnie Veal - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (15 pitches)
2. Hernan Ramos - 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP (38 pitches)
3. Marco Tovar - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP (20 pitches)
4. Mark Pawelek - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP (34 pitches)
5. Jordan Latham - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (18 pitches)
6. Casey Lambert - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (14 pitches)
NO ERRORS
ATTENDANCE: 19
NOTE: Apparently some of the Cubs fans in town for the NLDS decided to check out Instructs.
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