Game 11 Recap - Cue the Banjo Music

Box Score | Highlights

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R H E
Cubs 0 0
 0
 0
 0 0
 1
 0 1
   2
 11 3
Astros 3
 2
 0
 2
 0
 0 0 4
 x   11
 16
 1

The Gist: The odds were pretty low heading into the game that the Cubs could win it with the Astros best pitcher going and the Cubs going with a guy on a 45-50 pitch count limit. At least they didn't waste our time making it suspenseful. It started with the first batter for the Astros with Michael Bourne taking advantage of the lefty making his first major league start. Knowing that he's going to be falling off to the third base side of the mound and probably just worried about throwing strikes with that pitch count limit, Bourne executed a perfect bunt to the first basemen that Russell had no chance to get to the base in time. And then they did the exact same thing with the next batter. Give 'em some props for the smart baseball.

Then the little league defense, starting with Soriano's muffing a single and Barney missing a tag that gave the Astros another run. The Cubs made three errors on the night and really four although they gave Quintero a triple instead of Reed Johnson an error late in the game. Samardzija was asked to pitch three innings and he got his first four batters, but ran into trouble in the 4th giving up two runs. He got in more trouble in the 5th before Jeff Stevens bailed him out. I feel that whatever the team needs out of Samardzija, he'll always deliver one less. You need two innings out of him, he'll give you one good, one bad. You need two outs, he'll get you one. Anyway, Stevens, Marcus Mateo (struck out the side), Tyler Colvin and Marlon Byrd were about the only bright spots in the game.

Z vs. Wandy in the rubber match on Wednesday. The Cubs have an off day on Thursday so Q-Ball can probably push the bullpen a little tomorrow if needed with only Samardzija being unavailable. I wouldn't be too surprised if Russell or Stevens gets sent down in the next two days for a bullpen arm. The team won't need another 5th starter until Tuesday, April 19th next and I suppose I could see Ramon Ortiz getting that nod.

 

Hitter Results for April 12
Name Level Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SO BB SB CS
Michael Burgess A+ RF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Welington Castillo A+ DH 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Matthew Cerda                          
Ryan Flaherty                          
Reginald Golden                          
Brett Jackson                          
DJ LeMahieu                          
Marquez Smith AAA 3B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Matthew Szczur A RF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Josh Vitters                          
Pitcher Results for April 12
Name Level IP R ER H 2B 3B HR SO BB
Christopher Carpenter                    
Jay Jackson                    
Austin Kirk                    
Kenneth McNutt                    
Christopher Rusin                    
Hayden Simpson A 5.0 5 3 8 0 0 0 2 1

Scores

Tennessee had the night off.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:00am
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Comments

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:45am

quick, elias - last time a team started a game w/ consecutive bunt hits...more errors than runs last night & now magic wandy against the starless team w/ the starry payroll...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:12am

It's not really Q-Ball's fault. How could anyone have predicted that the Cubs would lose a starter or two and Casey Coleman and Russell wouldn't be effective?

The music was playing too loud at the time, but I was sorely tempted to yell out "Bring in Silva!" as Q-Ball went out to pull Russell.

I realize the talent is probably less, but this dipshit has soured me even more quickly than Baker and Pinhead did.

Looked like about 10K actual at the game last night.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:47am

Well...you're right Neal...but I think my mancrush Coleman was slightly more effective than Russell...marginally?

But hey, at least Grabow and Samardzija weren't good either? Or something?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:53am

How much 2011 salary do we have tied up in Samjay and Grabow? Is there a better run team in MLB?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:28pm

I think Coleman isn't going to pitch that poorly all season (his starts won't all be at Milwaukee after all). Grabow and Samardjiza have done a bit of good work this season, but counting on Grabow to be more than a middling reliever and Wide Outside to do anything more than mop-up duty is basically insane.

It would help if the big three in the rotation could get their ERA's, I don't know, in the 4's maybe? The only good starts we've had are from the two guys who are hurt - and we're 11 games into the seson.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:51am

A weak team is one thing, but the 2011 Cubs have no pitching depth whatsoever. Outfield depth is questionable as well.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:55am

But the Cubs balance that by being slow and mediocre defensively..

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:10am

And impatient and un-powerful at the plate.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:11am

Outfield depth is questionable? Don't we have Colvin currently riding the bench a few days a week? Plus, Brett Jackson (and soon Brad Snyder) ready to come up and fill in for a time at least? Plus you've got the Tony Campana's and James Adducis of the world. I agree on the pitching depth, but I'm not sure what you're looking for if our outfield depth isn't enough for you. However, if we're criticizing the quality of our starting outfield, I could probably get on board with that.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 11:33am

He's a really good young player. Nothing more, nothing less.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 11:40am

That's the kind of depth teams usually have in the minors, right? Good young players? As for the major league bench, Reed Johnson is nothing special, but Colvin/Fukudome are a lot better as 4th outfielders go than most teams have.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:16am

Better hope nothing happens to Aram

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:25am

wouldn't mind Marquez Smith getting a shot.

sadly q-ball would probably go with baker full-time or dewitt.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:40am

exactly

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:32pm

I don't know if you can put anything past the Q-Ball/Hendry stinktank at this point. Didn't Barney get some PT at third last year?

I could see a nice Castro/Barney/Johnson/Colvin/Hill/Pena/Soriano/DeWitt lineup in our not-too distance future.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:08pm

Al Albuquerque called up by Tigers, the guy sent to Rockies for Jeff Baker.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:33pm

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

2 cubs mentioned:

Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, CS. Four straight multi-hit games for 20-year-old Korean; has line-drive bat and the speed to stay in center field.

Robert Whitenack, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 12 K. Arguably the best pitching line of the day; six-foot-five righty has solid velocity and plenty of deception.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 5:39pm

I don't know how reliable this is, but the writer for the Daytona Cubs website said that Ha threw a runner out at home the other day on a sac fly to "deep center field."

What do we know about Ha's arm?

Another CF who's doing very well (better than Szczur?) is Rubi Silva.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 5:57pm

he's a converted catcher fwiw...

Phil's writeup on him
http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/10/24/2011...

I've read others that say he's more likely to get moved to RF down the road, but all kinds of time to sort that out.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 6:25pm

Ha has a very nice arm. I saw him last year (only one game) but he was in RF and looked like a rocket. AZ Phil has had nice things to say also.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 1:45pm

The 2011 draft crop continues to live up to its billing as the most impressive in years, with an abundance of frontline pitching and depth everywhere, with the exception of shortstop.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/ne...

since it's Wilken running the draft, good time to brush up on all the names the Cubs won't be drafting. :)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:07pm

I can see Andrew Chafin being the Wilken pick. Reliever coming off the TJS, who we can try and convert to a Starter. Probably takes way under slot to sign at 9.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:19pm

39 Dwight Smith Jr. OF McIntosh HS, Peachtree City, Ga. (39)
Son of the former Cubs rookie star of the same name is an advanced high school hitter.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 6:24pm

But can Dwight Smith Jr. sing?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:21pm

Pierre being Pierre

bunt single, then picked off first

then single in 3B and picked off again

reached on FC in 5th, see if he can not get himself out this time

also an error in the game

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:35pm

He was getting bronx cheer on catches last night.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:39pm

he's CS on both, not picked off...unless gameday is screwed. they have both outs at 2nd.

4sb 4cs isn't very slick, though.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:47pm

gameday said he was CS twice and picked off twice in 2 plate appearances when I looked, my brain is suggesting to me that is not possible unless he's mastered cloning or there are new baseball rules I'm unaware of.

The summary indicated 2 pick-offs and yahoo says pitcher to catcher to first on both.

He did score after reaching on the FC, the one time he didn't get picked off.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:51pm

putting "unless gameday is screwed" into any in-progress game is something i've learned over time.

i know it's free and human error/lag happens, but they seem to have interesting things going on with their in-progress summaries nearly daily.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:50pm

I really like Pierre as a person. I wish he were good.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:58pm

I have this same sense of pity when I see Craig Counsell.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 6:23pm

He always seemed to be a good player until the Cubs got him...

lol

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:47pm

Castro SS, Barney 2B, Byrd CF, Ramirez 3B, Baker 1B, Soto C, Soriano LF, Colvin RF, Zambrano P

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 2:53pm

baker after aram? nice protection there.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:18pm

Baker does seem to hit LHP pretty well.

314/366/552 career line.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:20pm

totally...i'd just rather see someone who can do a little more with power or putting a ball deep in the OF behind aram.

baker would be a great #1/2 guy today, but i guess quade wants the speed up top in both slots.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:36pm

Umm.. that's a .238 ISO, with approximately the same HR rate as Aram has for his career.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:20pm

also 5/11 with 3 2B off Wandy for his career

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:16pm

Astros lineup

Bourn CF, Sanchez SS, Pence RF, Lee LF, Wallace 1B, Hall 2B, Downs 3B, Towles C, Rodriguez P

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:16pm

#Rays Fuld joking he couldn't stop the rain: "This is me washing my planet."

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:34pm

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

"Haven't really looked at anyone else," Hendry said. "The Ramon Ortiz thing we did right away after [Carlos] Silva left. Then Steve Cantor, Doug Davis' agent, was trying all along to get him to come with us, even when he was a free agent last time. We've been kind of monitoring his rehab [elbow surgery], he lives [near the Cubs' spring training complex]."

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:43pm

Levine criticizes Silva for not accepting the minor league demotion for the Cubs, apparently not realizing that Silva didn't know what 29 clubs thought they had at the time the decision was made.

He makes no mention of Hendry, keeping 3 useless guys in the major league bullpen so he could do his de-facto cut of Carlos Silva, who he probably would have kept had he known Wells and Cashner were going to be hurt.

Ass kissing and hypocrisy - the keys to Chicago sports writing.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:46pm

why does silva matter anyway? he needed to go. you can put all the off-field stuff aside and just point to his horrible performances this spring. you can even take those numbers away and point at his lack of velocity and perhaps more importantly...his lack of movement on his pitches.

it would have been nice if silva accepted his minor league assignment, but it seems that was a non-issue once both sides decided to trash each other.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:57pm

In all seriousness, who do you think is more likley to have a better career from here on out, Silva or Samardizja?

Silva pitched just about the same this spring as he did last spring, by the way.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:58pm

neither

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:06pm

ninja? silva last spring?

seriously, throw the numbers out. he didn't have his movement and his velocity sucked. his velocity already sucked when the cubs got him and it's his movement+location that pretty much makes silva the pitcher he is.

add to that his other baggage and he didn't do himself any favors. he looked like february was the first time he picked up a baseball since late last year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:09pm

Silva pitched just about the same this spring as he did last spring, by the way.

didn't last year he get blown out the first outing and was pretty great from there on out in spring.

This year he only had one good outing at the end if I recall.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:25pm

I am talking in an FIP sense.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:39pm

Bonds jury verdict at around 1:45 PM PST

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:42pm

It's amazing what some well placed bribes can get you. I loved the guy who flip-flopped on his story once he got on the stand.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:48pm

false alarm, court PR person says no verdict has been reached yet

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:30pm

another false alarm, verdict reached on one charge, mistrial on 3 other charges.

Charges are obstruction and 3 counts of perjury fwiw.

awaiting verdict...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:51pm

guilty of obstruction of justice, split on perjury charges

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:51pm

From the handy-dandy game notes the Cubs send out: "Since the start of the 2010 season, Geovany Soto, Jeff Baker and Marlon Byrd rank 1-2-3 in the National League in batting average against left-handed pitching. Soto leads the league with a .370 batting average (44-for-119), followed closely by Baker (.361, 56-for-155) and Byrd (.353, 65-for-184). Soto's .469 on-base percentage vs. lefties since the start of last season is the best in the majors."

Also: "Carlos Zambrano has 14 career wins against the Houston Astros, by far the most of any active pitcher in all of baseball. Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang are next closest with 11 wins apiece against the Astros.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5469

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:52pm

and the White Sox bullpen blows another one

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 3:59pm

The genius that is Ozzie Guillen

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 4:34pm

latroy thorton

and Juan Soriano had another error today.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 5:30pm

I really like Ozzie, though some of his game is goofy. One thing that always bothered me about him is the way he'll go through 4 or 5 relievers playing matchups. It's a simple math problem: All it takes is one guy to have a bad day to ruin the whole game. Looks like that wasn't the case today, but this strategy will eventually cost the Sox some wins this season.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 5:58pm

Iowa:
Bibens-Dirx P

Smokies:
Jackson 8, Samson 4, LeMahieu 5, Spencer 9, Vitters 3, Clevenger 2, Ridling 7, Lalli 0, Ma. Gonzalez 6
Rusin P

Daytona:
Watkins SS, Cerda 3B, Ha CF, Bour 1B, Castillo DH, Burgess LF, Perez RF, Brenly C, Opitz 2B P-Struck

Peoria:
LePage 4, Silva 8, Rohan 3, Borges 9, Fitzgerald 7, Giansanti 5,Burruel 2,Soto DH,Alcantara 6, Kirk 1

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:19pm

My brother is at game in Albuquerque

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 6:36pm

I solved my issue although with no help from the Parachat folks. It just happened that the login window was popping up behind all my other windows for whatever reason.

I did contact them and they suggested that since every problem is unique to contact them directly and they will try to help you out. Please let me know how it works out if you do try.

Try here:
https://service.parachat.com/

click on "Submit a Ticket"

The Url of the chat is:
http://www.thecubreporter.com/chat

The site id is: 9124

Please contact me with any questions or concerns or use the comments.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 7:26pm

What are these things called runs?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:39pm

Imagine how good castro will be once he learns the rules of the game.

Submitted by Rick- Houston TX
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:46pm

I attended the game on Tuesday night. Here are my observations:

Colvin had trouble tracking fly balls during the first two innings. The roof was open, the sun was shining and the lights were on. The double by Quintero was a routine fly ball that Colvin couldn't track properly. Colvin also had trouble tracking Myer's base hit down the right field line. When Russel was removed in the second inning, Colvin walked over to centerfield and talked to Byrd about his trouble tracking the ball.

Ramirez waived at a double play ball that went past him one step to his left.

Russell needs to work on covering first base. He was not running parallel to the first base line. It cost him two outs.

Russell also needs to work on holding runners. Bourn stole second and third in the first inning.

When Samardzija replaced Russell in the second inning with the score 5-0, I think he was told to throw nothing but fastballs in hope that he could throw several innings. In the fifth inning, the pitching coach made an appearance on the mound and then Samardzija starting mixing in some breaking balls. I think he could have been more effective mixing pitches, but I think Quade's main objective was for Samardzija to throw three innings.

Reed Johnson (CF) and DeWitt (3B) were horrible defensive replacements. Johnson made several belly flops without making a catch. The triple by Quintero was a double that was misplayed by Johnson. Still, Quintero would have been out at third, but DeWitt dropped the ball. Subsequently, DeWitt muffed a double play ball and didn't even get one out. Later, be bounced a throw to Pena.

Russel was victimized by bad defense by himself, Colvin and Ramirez. Grabow was victimized by bad defense by Reed Johnson and DeWitt.

Stevens and Mateo had good relief appearances.

The positive news is that nobody got hurt and Marmol, Wood and Marshall did not have to make meaningless appearances.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 9:24pm

Despite of everything else, what did you think of the play Mrs. Lincoln?

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:31pm

You're getting all worked over a spring training game Rick. Save it for when the season starts.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 7:35am

Bourn didn't steal any bases in the first inning, and he guessed to steal second and ran on a changeup. The Cubs made no effort to hold on Bourne at 2nd, so he took third - not much Russel can do about that, that was Quade's decision.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 8:07am

If it had been a fastball, do you think they would have thrown him out? He was safe by a mile--not because he guessed right, but because Russell doesn't have a good move so runners know when he is throwing home and his delivery to home, with the high leg-kick, is abysmally slow, especially for a lefty. Same thing on the steal of third, Russell gave him one look, turned, and then immediately went into his slow delivery home. Easy steals for a guy like Bourn.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 9:11am

You don't seem to understand what I said.

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