Dodger First-baseman Performs "A Salute to Bill Buckner" at Sloan Park

Pinch-runner Roberto Caro scampered home from second base with the game-winning run on an E-3 (ground ball scooted through first-baseman's legs in classic Bill Buckner fashion) with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as the AZL Cubs edged the AZL Dodgers 2-1 in Arizona League action Wednesday night at Sloan Park In Mesa, AZ. 

LHP Manny Rondon (acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Rafael Lopez last month) got the start for the Cubs and had his third strong outing in a row, hurling five innings of two-hit one-run ball (unearned run). The 20-year old 6'1 165 lanky Venezuelan lefty issued no walks and struck out three, with a 6/5 GO/FO (including one GIDP), and he threw 72% strikes (well above-average).  

Rondon usually throws his fastball at 91-93 MPH, but he was working consistently at 94 MPH in his last outing versus his ex-Angel teammates, mixing the fastball with a hard-breaking curve and an occasional change-up.   

MANNY RONDON LAST THREE OUTINGS:
14.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 12/14 GO/FO  

6'5 RHP Luis Hernandez worked the final two innings for the Cubs and was absolutely dominating, mixing a mid-90's heater with a breaking ball he was able to consistently throw for strikes, and allowing just an opposite-field bloop single while strikimg out six (in fact all six outs he recorded were by strikeout). Hernandez was shut-down in Minor League Camp and missed Extended Spring Training, returning to the mound for the AZL Cubs in June after being out of action for three months. His fastball velocity has jumped about 3-4 MPH since his return (he used to throw 91-92 and occasionally touched 93, now he throws 94-96).    

Ben Carhart (on Myrtle Beach 7-day DL) continued his AZL rehab, playing third-base for six innings and going 1-3 at the plate (a 5-3 GO, a FC-E5, and a single). In four AZL games, Carhart has played 1st base once, catcher once, DH once, and 3rd base once, which is pretty much everything he does in his role as a C-1B-3B at Myrtle Beach. Carhart is valuable because of his versatility, but also because he is a great mentor to his younger teammates. He looks to be about ready to rejoin the Pelicans.   

Here is the abridged box score frrom Wednesday night's game (AZL Cubs players only): 

AZL CUBS LINEUP:
1. Robert Garcia, RF: 0-4 (BB, 3-U, F-9, 6-3, E-3, SB)
2. D. J. Wilson, CF: 0-4 (K, E-1, 4-3, 4-3)
3a. Ben Carhart, 3B: 1-3 (5-3, FC+E5, 1B)
3b. P. J. Higgins, PR-3B: 1-1 (1B)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 0-4 (K, 6-4-3 DP, 4-3, K)
5. Michael Foster, LF:  0-3 (BB, K, K, F-8, R)
6. Angelo Amendolare, 2B: 1-3 (1B, BB, F-8, 6-3)
7. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 0-4 (F-8, 6-3, 5-3, 5-3)
8a. Donnie Cimino, DH: 0-3 (P-4, K, 3-U, BB)
8b. Roberto Caro, PR: NO AB (R) 
9. Tyler Payne, C: 1-3 (K, 6-3, 1B, BB)

AZL CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Manny Rondon: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 6/5 GO/FO, 50 pitches (36 strikes) 
2. Jordan Brink: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 16 pitches (11 strikes)
3. John Williamson: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 11 pitches (6 strikes) 
4. Luis Hernandez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 24 pitches (19 strikes)

AZL CUBS ERRORS: 2
1. RF Robert Garcia: E-9 (three base fielding error on infield single allowed batter to circle bases & score)
2. 2B Angelo Amendolare: E-4 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base safely)