Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
Carlos Zambrano threw three shutout innings, Blake DeWitt doubled, singled, drove-in a run, and scored another, and Augie Ojeda smacked a bases-loaded two-run double, but a split squad of Texas Rangers rallied from a 5-1 deficit to edge the Cubs 8-7 in Cactus League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in Mesa this afternoon.
Although he did not allow a run, Zambrano did allow five baserunners (two singles, two walks, and a HBP) and struggled with his control (41 pitches - only 20 strikes), consistently missing up. But he made pitches and threw strikes when he needed them most, and was able to survive unscathed.
Braden Looper followed "Z" to the mound and worked two innings (24 pitches - 14 strikes). He was hit hard in his first inning, but threw more effectively in his second inning when he retired the Rangers 1-2-3.
Meanwhile, the Cubs were assuming a 5-1 lead.
Blake DeWitt doubled into the LF corner to lead off the bottom of the 1st, and then with two outs, Aramis Ramirez single to left to score DeWitt from 3rd base with the first run of the day.
The Cubs then scored four more runs in the bottom of the 4th.
Carlos Pena walked and Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto singled to load the bases, before Augie Ojeda smacked a double past the 1st baseman and down the RF line and into the corner, scoring Pena and Soriano. Braden Looper then lined a sacrifice fly to score Soto from 3rd (as the ball almost sailed over the head of RF Doug Deeds), and DeWitt followed the Looper SF with an RBI single to score Ojeda, as the Cubs took a 5-1 lead.
But RHP Rafael Dolis had a bad day, as the 23-year old fireballer was only able to retire one batter in the top of the 6th before being relieved. It wasn't so much that he was hit hard, it's just that he threw a boatload of pitches to get just one out (32 pitches - 20 strikes). Dolis allowed two hits (including a Mitch Moreland monster three-run jack that landed just in front of the Party Pavillion located well beyond the RF fence) and two walks, but he was also hurt by an error (dropped catch) by 1st baseman Scott Moore on what should have been an easy 6-3 put-out to open the inning, and then the next batter (Omar Quintanilla) had a 13-pitch AB that featured two sprawling unsuccessful attempts at spectacular catches by LF Matt Camp in foul territory down the LF line. Esmailin Caridad eventually relieved Dolis and got the final two out of the inning easily, but not before the Rangers had tied it up at 5-5.
Texas took the lead off Thomas Diamond in the top of the 8th, as PH David Paisano tripled off the right-centerfield fence, driving in two runs before being thrown out at the plate trying to stretch the triple into an inside-the-park HR. Like Zambrano earlier in the game, Diamond struggled with his control, throwing 20 pitches (but only ten for strikes) in his one inning of work.
The Cubs did score two runs with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as Marquez Smith doubled down the LF line, and Scott Moore and Matt Camp followed with RBI line-drive singles. So the Cubs had the potential tying run on base and the potential winning run at the plate, but the batter was Koyie Hill, and he popped-out weakly against LHRP Ben Snyder (Brad's younger brother) to CF to end the game.
The Cubs defense was marginally better today. Besides the Scott Moore dropped throw that led to two unearned runs, the Cubs also were unable to turn double plays twice in the first three innings that might have helped Zambrano to get through his three innings with a bit less stress.
Michael Young got the start at 2B for the Rangers today (perhaps as a showcase for a possible trade with the Cubs?), and he had a line-drive single and a walk in his two Plate Appearances. Interestingly, Rafael Dolis was rumored to be on the Rangers radar during the off-season in a deal that would have sent Dolis and C Robinson Chirinos to Texas for RHRP Darren O'Day and 1B Chris Davis, as a precursor to the Rangers acquiring Matt Garza from Tampa Bay (with Chirinos one of the players who would have gone to TB).
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Comments
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:08pm Permalink
well if this headline doesn't say it all
"DeWitt, Baker an uninspiring duo for Cubs at second base
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110303/s...
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:11pm Permalink
Unless the Rangers intend to take some salary back (fukudome + Silva), I don't see the Cubs mucking up their books with Young for the next 3 years.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:15pm Permalink
they seem to be happy with dewitt anyway...or at least committed to the project for 2011.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:17pm Permalink
wish they would have been committed to Kelly Johnson in 2011, but no, must not trade James Russell!!!
/still bitter
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:42pm Permalink
wish they would have been committed to Kelly Johnson in 2011, but no, must not trade James Russell!!!
---
If Bruce Levine had posted the above he would have worded it eggs-ackley the same except for him inserting The OC.
(where OC goes, so go the playoffs...so this year will really be the test given he's with the Tribe)
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 7:22pm Permalink
I could see Marlon Byrd and Carlos Silva ($11.5M in combined salaries in 2011 and $8.5M in combined salaries in 2012 if you include Silva's $2M 2012 buy-out) going to TEX for Young, with the Rangers paying the $9M in post-2013 deferred salaries ($3M deferred each year 2011-13).
The end result would be that the Cubs would add $20M in payroll over the next three years above what they have to pay now ($2.5M more in 2011 and $4.5M more in 2012, and then $13M more in 2013 when Dempster and Zambrano come off the books).
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:54am Permalink
One problem wellllll actually 2.....1) Texas doesn't need another OFer. 2) Their rotation already has way better options than Silva.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 11:52am Permalink
They wiggle out of 20 Million dollars though. Probably would ask for a DeWitt in the deal as a Mike Young replacement I'd suspect?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:39pm Permalink
Submitted by MikeC on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:54am.
One problem wellllll actually 2.....1) Texas doesn't need another OFer. 2) Their rotation already has way better options than Silva.
=====================================
MIKE: It isn't that the Rangers would want or need Carlos Silva, it's that they would have to take his contract ($6M in 2011 and $2M buy-out in 2012) back as part of the deal. Then they can release him if they don't want or need him.
As for Marlon Byrd, the Rangers don't "need" another outfielder, but they don't need Michael Young either and would like to get out from under at least part of their future salary obligations to him. Young wants out if he isn't an everyday player.
Byrd would have some use to the Rangers as a 4th OF who can play CF and occasional RH DH. He might even become the starting CF. Byrd had prior success in Texas and apparently liked playing there, he just didn't get the contract offer he wanted when he was a FA post-2009. Byrd gets $12M over the next two years, and that would help make it possible for the Cubs to afford to add Young's salary.
And if the Cubs were to make the deal, it would open up a starting OF spot for Tyler Colvin immediately and then for Brett Jackson whenever he's ready. Blake DeWitt would be a back-up 2B-3B-LHPH, and Jeff Baker would not be needed at all, allowing the Cubs to keep Max Ramirez as a 3rd catcher, RH back-up 1B, and RHPH. And Andrew Cashner could be the 5th starter.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Thu, 03/03/2011 - 9:21pm Permalink
"...but the batter was Koyie Hill..."
LOL!
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 9:32am Permalink
Cubs set MLB Record...earliest called players only meeting in a season.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/03/...
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 9:40am Permalink
just what i was thinking...in an unrelated note, the team has doubled the # of WF tours this year [@ $25 per]; does that $ still go to Cubs Care or is it being converted to a revenue stream alternative?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 10:58am Permalink
I believe it's going to the team's traveling secretary's favorite charity, The Human Fund.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 9:52am Permalink
Jason Castro out for the season. Any chance Hendry ships Ramirez to the 'Stros?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 10:36am Permalink
For W-Rod?
I'd do it.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 11:08am Permalink
Max Ramirez that is. Probably not, but I bet they're looking for a C.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:00pm Permalink
Koyie Hill then! We'll even throw in Augie Ojeda.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:17pm Permalink
And Reed Johnson
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 1:25pm Permalink
And Soriano
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 1:25pm Permalink
He's what I like to call a 'pot sweetener'
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:49pm Permalink
I thought that was Soto?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 3:15pm Permalink
Hiiyoooooooooooo!
Carlos Slim speaks
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:12pm Permalink
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/st...
"That was a very hard inning," Silva said Friday, addressing the incident for the first time after refusing previous requests. "I gave up those two homers, I came to the dugout and tried to take it easy. I tried to relax and let it go. The only thing I said was, 'We need to start making plays here.'
"He took it personally. I knew it was my mistake. It was my fault. You shouldn't say anything. But he took it personally. We argued in the dugout."
He seems to have backed off believing that he's already earned a rotation spot as well.
Q-Ball
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:27pm Permalink
So, today we have Castro throwing to Colvin at first. Things could get real ugly.
Soto bats cleanup...where he belongs in the regular season.
RF Fukudome
SS Castro
1B Colvin
C Soto
3B Moore
2B Baker
LF Johnson
CF Jackson
P Garza
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:30pm Permalink
Isn't Moore's "natural" position 3B?
Good to see Jackson get a start.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 1:30pm Permalink
nice lineup...must be a good day for golf or something.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:01pm Permalink
they obviously didn't want Garza to go wacko when ARam makes an error in his innings
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:10pm Permalink
one of the things few people have actually commented on about garza is his temper...and he's got one.
that said, he's never been known as toxic...just mouthy.
supposedly those days are behind him, though...meh...whatevers.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:16pm Permalink
Colvin solo HR in 1st, not bad for his first 1B start. Also got two putouts (on the first two batters) in the bottom of the inning.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:17pm Permalink
HoF bound!... if they based the HoF only on March statistics.
Wonder if CPat still has the record for March RBI's.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:26pm Permalink
Was he related to Kpatt?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:30pm Permalink
...brought to you from the school of thought that named our ace "Dumpster".
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:33pm Permalink
gameday has garza throwing 94mph. this early? i doubt it...
gameday has been too flaky to trust so far, dunno if i buy that.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:41pm Permalink
twitter sez Garza knocked by Francouer line drive
Gordo says rib/kidney
Sully says back of shoulder
Muskrat says somewhere in the back
He stayed in to finish the inning
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:42pm Permalink
i was wondering how that play went garza to castro to colvin for an out at 1st and no DP.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 2:47pm Permalink
garza pinch hit for after retiring the last 2 after getting hit by the liner...
garza - 2ip 1h 0er 0bb 0k
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 3:30pm Permalink
KC has made about 1000 pickoff attempts at 1st pretty much any time anyone's on 1st...fun stuff.
BP looks...
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:12pm Permalink
at most disappointing prospects of all-time
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...
These would not be players who were overdrafted, but rather those who seemed on their way to justifying high picks and large bonuses when apparent destiny was denied.
I believe that means guys drafted high and with good minor league numbers.
Todd Walker the only one with Cubs ties that I noticed. Already put Matt Wieters on there...ouch.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:37pm Permalink
I think it's too soon to call it a closed case on Weiters, but it's sort of funny how people here were saying the Cubs blew it by not taking him in the draft a month ago.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 8:58pm Permalink
At least he made it to the bigs, Vitters is in AA. Just sayin'.....
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 10:55pm Permalink
Yes, but the Orioles have paid him a lot more money - and now if he ever does get good it will be in the arbitration years of his career.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:39pm Permalink
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?...
nice hacky column by Wojo
Does he bother to be a journalist and get some answers to the question he posed? Nope. Just dangeles it like he went to the school of Jay Mariotti writing.
also video preview from ESPN that couldn't get the lineup right. Eduardo Perez, or whatever producers told him to say, doesn't seem to like the Cubs.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:46pm Permalink
hacky is being nice...i feel like finding the guy and pushing him into a mud puddle in front of his mom.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:42pm Permalink
olney on twitter sez Angels looking for a left-handed bat. I'm sure they could use another outfielder.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:55pm Permalink
So, can we safely say that John Gaub will be only a memory in the trade for DeRo after March 19?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:20pm Permalink
Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 4:55pm.
So, can we safely say that John Gaub will be only a memory in the trade for DeRo after March 19?
===================================
E-MAN: I suspect it's headed that way. I was kind of surprised Gaub wasn't outrighted during the off season, but I guess the Cubs were hoping he could get straightened out in Spring Training.
Gaub spent the last half of last season at Fitch Park trying to hit the broad side of the clubhouse, and it wasn't pretty. He got into one AZL Cubs game in July or August and then that was it. He did not return to Iowa, and he didn't play winter ball, either.
We really need to find a cure for Steve Blass Disease. Perhaps a telethon?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 5:44pm Permalink
... trying to hit the broad side of the clubhouse, and it wasn't pretty.
HAHA!
You have a helluva sense of humor, PHIL!
I had asked you on several occasions over the last year what was up with Gaub, as on the occasions I had seen him pitch as he was pretty dreadful.
I guess at one time he showed promise?
If its a telethon, we gotta get Jerry Lewis in on it.
Since Stevens, in my estimation, will not amount to much either, the three-for-one deal of Gaub/Stevens/Archer for De Rosa, was really just DeRo for Archer. And now as we know Garza takes his place in what is currently a one-year deal, right?
I wonder, if you were to calculate the amount of wasted time spent by staff trying to train these two untalented pitchers since December 2008, that the deal came out worse than a wash for the Cubs?
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:10pm Permalink
so much depends on what both garza and archer do at this point...and to a lesser extent hj.lee (imo, since his hitting is theriot-esque...still young, though).
so far all garza has done is save the cubs 4-6m on a pitcher of similar caliber...which given the 2011 payroll constraints is something.
it could be big win or big bleh...
-edit- before this starts a pro-archer shitstorm...or a negative-garza shitstorm...or a useless pro-chinirrioiroiroros shitstorm...
long story short, this is something probably best assessed in Oct/Nov as of now.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:40pm Permalink
Funny thing that you didn't even pick out the mentioning of Gaub as a "untalented" pitcher. I guess Dale Murphy was an untalented catcher.
One scout called Gaub the best left handed reliever in the minors prior to 2010. Catching Steve Blass disease doesn't have anything to do with talent - in fact it's probably evidence of talent.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:46pm Permalink
"prior to 2010" is the key part...up until then he was the lefty relief version of archer. now he's a big question mark.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 9:03pm Permalink
You have to keep in mind though that DeRo was simply a FA signing in the first place, he cost the Cubs nothing to acquire him other than some money. So regardless of what happens with Archer, you can almost think of the trade as HJ Lee, Chirinos and Guyer for getting 3 years of Garza's services at a below-market rate relative to similar quality pitchers. Are those three prospects worth approximately $3-$5MM in major league payroll savings? It all depends on whether Lee pans out or not.
this seems totally normal
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:30pm Permalink
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/03...
you'll be surprised to learn that she's filing for divorce
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 6:41pm Permalink
Too bad it wasn't Jacque Jones. He would have just smashed the glass at his own feet.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 9:45pm Permalink
Hahaha!
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Sat, 03/05/2011 - 9:01am Permalink
Haha...
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Sat, 03/05/2011 - 9:17am Permalink
Priceless.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 11:10pm Permalink
So he's not feeling like $30 million bucks anymore?
Hopefully, she and the kids are.
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 7:57pm Permalink
matt garza on taking a comebacker and the bruising...
“I’ve got a lot of tattoos over there,” Garza said. “It’s nothing really. It hit the lower lat under my rib. After I took a deep breath, it didn’t hurt.”
Re: Rangers Edge Cubs 8-7
on Sat, 03/05/2011 - 9:02am Permalink
In other words, Matt Garaza is completely badass.