Gallagher's Dirty Dozen

The season here in Des Moines has had a hard time getting started this year. Bad weather, bad team and bad schedule; you're out!

Yesterday was an exception.

Sean Gallagher served up a tasty lunch in a nooner matinee at Principal Park on one of the very few days so far when the elements didn't cross-up the schedule makers.

After seven innings Gallagher had thrown 86 pitches, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and 12 strikeouts. All 12 K's were swinging, most of them on a nasty breaking ball.

His pitch counts by inning were as follows: 11, 13,13, 14, 16, 9 and 10.

They trotted him back out for the eighth, the only frame when he failed to fan anybody. He walked the leadoff man, erased him on a DP grounder, gave up a base hit and called it a day after 101 mostly carveaceous, to coin a word, pitches.

The lone run he allowed came on a 3-1 fastball that Chris Shelton swatted into the parking lot in the fourth [you might remember Shelton; the erstwhile Tiger who briefly led the majors in homers a couple of Aprils ago].

Gallagher's foils were the Oklahoma Redhawks, apprentices of the Texas Rangers. They came into the game with a record of 15-4.

Nelson Cruz, to name one, had been tearing it up and only been whiffed six times in nineteen games. Gallagher popped him up in the first, then fanned him in the fourth and seventh without ever throwing him a fastball.

He struck out two in every inning from the 4th through the 7th

The scoreboard gun had his curveball in the low 70's and his fastball topping out between 91-93, but a Cleveland scout behind the plate said his readings were 2-3 MPH faster. By the way, another scout told me he works for Baltimore, but was only there because his routine territory is the PCL.

CRUMBS: Eric Patterson played CF on Monday night. Yesterday he was at 2B and already had two hits when he left in the third after pulling up lame on the basepaths with what was described afterwards as a strained hamstring; no prognosis yet...Sam Fuld is listed as active but hasn't played on this homestand due to a bad right thumb. He's only had 20 AB's in 18 games...no one around here expects Micah Hoffpauir back any sooner than 2-3 more weeks. They claim he's in Arizona rehabbing...Jose Ascanio looks good as a closer-in-training. Yesterday he notched his fifth save. He's fanned 11 and walked just two in 10 innings while holding batters to a BAA of .179...Sidney Ponson beat the I-Cubs on Monday night with a nifty seven innings of work...don't yet know why, but the whole team wears their pants tucked up under the knee, a la Reed Johnson; the team looks better than it is...MW

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Tags: 
Iowa Cubs
Sean Gallagher
Submitted by Mike Wellman on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:05am
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:11am

great info Mike...thanks.

PS - I added a page break in the middle of your post just to keep the front page a little neater.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:12am

Mike, are you still writing at Road to Wrigley?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:17am

A warning I got at another Cubs blog for being a smartass:

You have been issued a warning.

Each of your recent posts has served no purpose except to snark at me without backup. Opinions aren't wrong, of course, but there are ways to do it without being a jerk about it. So far you've failed at that. Try again.

In order to continue participating on Bleed Cubbie Blue you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:19am

oh wow....

well serves you right for commenting at BCB. 

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:38am

Heh. Who said it was BCB?

He's just mad that I brought up Beltran when he said the Mets had major holes outside of Wright and Reyes.

Oh... and I called him out for claiming BCB was responsible for solving T-ShirtGate.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:53pm

Heh. Who said it was BCB?

the last line in your post that said this: 

In order to continue participating on Bleed Cubbie Blue you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:09pm

Dave failed at the Internet, again.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:15pm

Damn.

I suck.

The weird thing is that it was a pop-up, as soon as I arrived at BCB. Strange.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:18pm

sweet, he has a canned message for everyone who calls him out. He probably gets a lot of use out of it.

Submitted by Chad
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:06pm

did you mention, like I did, that the shirts they made totally suck?

Submitted by JD
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 7:26pm

Sooooo...you're not gonna by their all-sausage Tshirt calender?

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:27am

You've failed at the Internet! Bad Dave, bad!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:15pm

Bad Dave, bad!

That's what Johann's mom keeps saying.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:27am

Thanks, Mike. Excellent report. I wonder if Andy MacPhail is reading.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:43am

Dr. Aaron B. - I have moved from'RTW' to 'TCR'; can't keep up w/ the team on a daily basis, but hope to offer something at least once per homestand...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:44am

guess I should change your profile on the writers page then. :)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:46am

All the better. Just one less sight to have bookmarked. Nice job as always Mr. Mike Wellman sir.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:49am

What profile? I am not on the writers page that comes up on my screen...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:12pm

clear your cache or something...

http://www.thecubreporter.com/our-writers

you're at the bottom.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:14am

PESKY REDHEAD UPDATE: In 61 plate appearances between Iowa & Chicago this year Matt Murton has exactly ONE run-scoring hit; a two-run single - he remains extrabaseless...

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:25am

A note for Wellman and AZ Phil -- Rafael Cová was sent to AAA Tijuana, of the Mexican League, as a "cash trade" commonly known as "loan" in the Mexican lingo.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:33am

Our Mexican correspondent Carlos Rubi

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 11:01am

I have been on vacation and ready to start a new job, so haven't been able to post the past few days, but I have been able to catch most of the games. What an impressive start and even more amazing with Soriano struggling then getting hurt and Pie shitting the bed thus far. Of course the rest of the offense is killing it, but keep it going. As for pitching, outside of Lilly (he did look good in last start vs. NYM though) and Howry, they have been good or great. I am sure the hitting and pitching will come down some but so far them have been impressive. Great job to Lou and Hendry!! 14-6 start and the 2nd best record in all of MLB. Go Cubs!!!

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:15pm

Manny-

Are you still in the biz?

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:19pm

No. Long hours (many nights and weekends) and long commute really was a buzz kill for me. I am back working for Pepsi doing national marketing for Pepsi product sales in Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores nationwide. It is more along the lines of the career path I want, more of a pure marketing role. I am sure I will miss baseball, but not the hours or money (or lack there of). :)

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 11:07am

The Reds have fired Wayne Krivsky

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3363283

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 11:11am

If the Reds are looking for a replacement. Please allow me to put my name in the ring. I to advocated for the cubs to pick up Brandon Phillips at the end of ST 2006. Instead they went with "Boom Boom" Bynum. Your fans need a competent GM. Aaron B is the people's choice!

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 11:52am

Are you more competent than Walt Jocketty?

Because he got the job....

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:14pm

was Jocketty brought in to Cincy before or after they hired Dusty?

cause that would be funny if Dusty didn't last the whole year.

Submitted by Rich.P
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 11:20am

I truly hope Sean develops into a legitimate number 3. Chances are that we need him quite soon if our lefties don't up their game.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:09pm

Umm... you do know that Rich Hill and Ted Lilly had ERA+ last year of 119 and 121, respectively, right?

They will be fine.

Hell... Rich Hill, currently, has been so awful that he is an ERA this year of 3.86 and an ERA+ of 112.

Lets not freak out about Hill, or even Lilly, based on a few starts, especially considering that Hill has actually been pretty decent this year.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:55pm

And you do know that at least one (and maybe both, I can't quite tell yet) have changed their deliveries to some extent since they posted those ERA+'s last year, right?

I'm not advocating removing them, (far from it, in fact) but I would certainly be weary of citing their results from 2007, especially with Rich's loss of control and Ted's loss of velocity (which IS improving). The circumstances are different right now.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:16pm

This might be 3/44 on Espn1000 yesterday the host asked Z if this is the best team he's been on.

"To be honest, I think 2003 was the best team."

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 8:44pm

Man, 2003 was filled with so much promise. I like the current team a little better though, especially because some young guys are really stepping up Kerry Wood is getting his chance at career redemption. This team doesn't feel paid for since we've had a chance to see most of these guys for at least a few years, and even our high profile FA signing (Fuku) doesn't feel paid for since he's technically a rookie.

But shit, that 2003 rotation was awesome. Prior looked like a first ballot HoFer, Wood was awesome, Zambrano was starting to look like a future ace, and even Matty Clement had a decent year (and started a fun chin-hair phenomenon).

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:27pm

I think that as of right now, 2003 looks like the better team for one reason only: the rotation. In a short series you saw a Prior who was throwing in the mid-nineties, a Wood who was pitching 6+ innings every five days, a Clement who was a pretty good 3rd starter, and a Zambrano who would've been an ace on most teams. Shawn Estes was not a better 5th starter than any of the options we have now, but 3 of those first 4 were pitching like aces.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:18pm

Dusty was hired on October 15, 2007. Jocketty was hired on January 11, 2008.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:18pm

Rob, Jocketty was brought into Cincy in January (after Dusty).

I'd have to imagine Dusty is around to stay, but Corey should definitely be worried.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:57pm

Well, if you think like a corporate weasel does, replacing the GM who hired Baker makes it a whole lot easier to fire Dustbag somewhere down the line.

And if anyone needs a real firing, it's Baker. So far he's only been TKO'd.

BTW, I want some of whatever Jerry Hairston J(uice)r. is taking.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:24pm

back to Sean Gallagher...

I didn't really take in the scope of how good that start was...86 pitches, 12 K's, no walks. That's ridiculous.

I wouldn't give him to the Orioles straight up for Brian Roberts at this point.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:02pm

The de-puffed post-roids Roberts is lighting it up with a .250 .333 .368 line so far.

But maybe he's just going through an "adjustment period."

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:38pm

Umm...

The Cubs have 7 players with at least 50 at-bats with an OBP over .400.

The patience has obviously been exciting. But one piece, that seems like it isn't getting much attention, is the patience that ARam is showing.

He is hitting .280 with OBP of .409!

Submitted by Chad
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:04pm

But strangely, he's K's are up too. With the way he hits I'd rather see him with his 45 walks and his 60 ks.

Submitted by Dmac
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:00pm

I'm unclear as to the reference to a player named "Roberts."

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:10pm

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000616/

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 1:58pm

http://cubs.scout.com/2/748855.html

“His big strength is command of his fastball, which our reports last year had him up to 96 (mph),” said Bush. “He’s got a slider that is a developing pitch for him and he’s got what is a major league-ready changeup now. So he’s got two major league-ready pitches and is trying to refine his slider and get that a little bit more consistent.”

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 2:18pm

I loved the Ascanio trade. Let's hope he's ready later this year, because with the overuse of Marmol so far, we may need someone like him or Ceda.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 5:18pm

Submitted by carlosrubi on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 9:25am.

A note for Wellman and AZ Phil -- Rafael Cová was sent to AAA Tijuana, of the Mexican League, as a "cash trade" commonly known as "loan" in the Mexican lingo.

_________________________

=========================

CARLOS: Check out the comment I posted yesterday (Tuesday morning) under the Scott Eyre article.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 10:59am

If it's not too much to ask, (+which it apparently is+)
how about posting the link? All you have to do is right click on the Subject, click Copy Shortcut and paste it into your reply.

Wish everyone would do this when they refer to their past posts.

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