The Other End of Humerus

In an embarrassing conclusion to the saturday night game against the Brewers, the Cubs bullpen literally and figuratively exploded.

In a highlight on TV for Mr. Brenly, he went out on the ledge and predicted the two run HR from Micah Hoffpauir in the 5th inning as the big first baseman strode up to the plate. Brenly had given a handsignal to Hoffpauir before the game indicating his swing was just a pinch off the night before and he expected a sweet spot power shot tonight. Hoffpauir's blast to right was on the first pitch, making that a magic moment in the booth and both Len and Bob were somewhat giddy. Len Kasper couldn't recall any such prognostication from his partner in their 5 years together. It brought a game that felt like the Cubs were behind by a million runs actually back to a 3-2 defecit and made me realize that Ryan Dempster was having quite a solid outing.

Brenly the Prognosticator? Ryan Dempster deftly lasted into the 7th
inning although on TV, Len and Bob thought he was done after 6 and
they expressed their surprise to see him out on the mound beginning the 7th
after over 100 pitches. After back to back HR's to Counsell and Braun,
Dempster was done at 121 pitches. Cotts and Patton made the really ugly 7th a six spot for the Brewers.

During the disgusting 7th and 8th innings, the walkmasters paraded their stuff including walk(s) from Cotts, Patton, Fox and Heilman. I was suffering along with Ron Santo who said on the radio: "anytime you have 7 walks you don't deserve to win." Six of the nine walks the Cubs pitchers gave up came from the bullpen.

In the top of the 8th, the Cubs brought it back to  9-6 defecit with a 4 spot including back to back doubles by Fukudome and Bradley but the bullpen was yet to complete pouring kerosene on the ballgame.

The bottom of the 8th started with Chad Fox on the mound who promptly walked Braun (on 7 pitches) then blew out his right elbow on a pitch that was five feet high and wide above the strike zone. As we all know Fox's elbow has had multiple reconstructions and after his last term with the Cubs in which his usage by Dusty Baker drew criticism, he didn't get another surgery...just a miracle feeling that he could pitch on scar and duct tape. Apologies to Mr. Baker, time didn't heal that wound. In a 24 hour period the Cubs have exposed both the proximal humerus and the distal humerus. Ouch.

Chad Fox is now on the DL and the Cubs have called up Jose Ascanio from AAA Iowa as the bullpen parade continues.

Injury Delay...photo of Chad Fox after icing his elbow postgame.

Aaron Heilman replaces Chad Fox

Heilman promptly wets his pants by walking Fielder (4 pitches), Hardy (4 pitches) and Hart (6 pitches), with Hart's for the second run of the inning. Nobody to the rescue (Mets fans must be laughing their asses off). The cliche coaching visit to the mound does no good and then Duffy singles for another run and Kendall hits a sac fly for the Brewer's12th run.

As Arizona Phil has explained, Chad Fox was brought to the majors so that the Cubs will have roster flexibility if they get to the post-season. The Boy Scouts 60 day DL mastery merit badge goes to Jim Hendry.

 

Tags: 
Aaron Heilman
Chad Fox
Jose Ascanio
David Patton
Neil Cotts
Submitted by Dr. Joseph Hecht on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 11:18am
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:11pm

Soriano, Miles(SS), Fukudome, Bradley, Hoffpauir, Soto, Fontenot (3b), Scales (2b), Marshall vs Weeks, Hart, Braun, Fielder, Cameron, Hardy, Hall, Kendall, Suppan

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:28pm

and the tightly hamstrung Ryan Freel era continues

Submitted by navigator
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:32pm

Nice article Cubster.

Jose Ascanio (0.94 WHIP), who just turned 24 on May 2, has been outstanding with the AAA Cubs this spring. Hope it translates to the majors. But how can a guy who stands six feet tall with this gut (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/A/jose-asca...)only weigh 150 lbs.?

Re: the game notes: you failed to mention that "Genius Jim" traded a healthy, although he plays baseball like a wounded cockroach, Joey Gathright for a terminally injured whiney-assed pariah with a hamstring as tight as a piano wire (not to be confused with Uncle Milty) who had to be scratched from the starting lineup yesterday on his first day with the Cubs. (Is that a record?)

On a positive note... Nice to see Fukudome break out of his 3/25 funk with two hits and DPLee continue to sit allowing Micah Hoffpauir to start at first base.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:44pm

Is DLee the new Wally Pipp?

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 12:57pm

Judd Sirott on the wgn radio pregame said DLee and Freel are available to pinch hit

Submitted by dc60124
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 1:03pm

time to move fox from the "cubs bullpen usage" chart to the no-doubt-soon-to-be-created "cubs dl chart".

z-aram-lee-fox; quite the talent pool there.

here's hoping kosuke, bradley, and hoff get revved up.

is soto enduring the sophomore blues? or was he a one-year wonder? still, i don't miss gabor the great.

go cubs! no sweepage today, please.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 1:51pm

As Arizona Phil has explained, Chad Fox was brought to the majors so that the Cubs will have roster flexibility if they get to the post-season. The Boy Scouts 60 day DL mastery merit badge goes to Jim Hendry.

As I am sure AZ Phil was saying that tongue-in-cheek, it still cost Hendry around $500K for that flexibility. And of course then there is Lou who is undoubtedly going to get blasted for hurting Fox's arm. I guess we can add Fox to the name of Lou's arms he has killed. :)

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 1:50pm

Oh yeah, another shitty start by the Cubs. Down 2-0 already after 2 innings.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 1:56pm

2-2. Soriano 2 run jack.

10th HR.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 2:01pm

A-Fonse!!! We need the big boys to pick up the slack. Good job Soriano!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 6:45am

A-Fonse?

Who's that?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 6:47am

It's a pun on 'offense'.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 8:59am

Yes it is. And it is a nickname they called him while he was up here with the Yankees.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 4:24pm

Pretty big win here, after 2 bullpen disasters. Guzman really came through with those 2 big innings. I think its time to move him into Heilman's spot give him the 7th inning.

Marshall had nothing the first 2 innings but righted the ship. Fontenot had some nice plays at 3rd.

The offense was good enough. Soto still looks bad. Freel did his best Gathright impression by being picked off lol

Moving forward I think the next 2 series vs the Padres and Astros are pretty big 4-2 or even 5-1 would look pretty nice.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 7:52pm

Miles was about to choke that at bat anyways.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 4:42pm

Marshall's MO this year is he gives up 2 or 3 early on, then pitches well for tje next 5-7 innings.

he is still young, amd I hope he finds a way to rid himself of this.

i recall Marquis did the same thing for us.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 5:41pm

I'm too lazy to back this up with stats so this is just a thought but it seems like Marshall would have a decent game one outing and really suck the next last year. This year he's been pretty consistent. This is almost 3/44 cuz I have said it so much but I'll never forget when Maddux was here and Marshall would park his ass next to him. Did it on more than one occasion. Students of the game often do well when they have some talent to mix in with it. And he does have a nice curve and moves around the plate nicely when he's on.

Submitted by Newport
on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:02am

During the second Maddux era he seemed to always give up a few runs early, only to lock it in for the next 4-5 innings.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 8:12pm

gwwaaaa....

ESPN crew is about to drive me nuts talking about roids rather than...oh...calling the game.

blah blah blah blah blah....

guess what crew...these roiders keep getting contracts, they're for huge money, and so far...all i can tell...the downside is you might miss 1-2 months of pay and not get in the HOF.

making 10m dollars vs. 1m and no chance at HOF anyway. get caught and stay employed and pursued by other teams...giambi approves...sarge jr. definitely approves.

lemmie see...what would i do...

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 8:55pm

ESPN crew is about to drive me nuts
--------
solution = mute button

I miss fire Joe Morgan.com

Submitted by Ryno
on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 9:40pm

The ESPN Crew is designed for the sports jocks who watch ESPN all day. For true baseball fans, they are brutal.

Submitted by Dmac
on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 1:45pm

Does anyone know if Soto's still hurt? Could be my imagination, but his swing looks like he's favoring his lumbar or something.

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