A's Top Cubs at Papago Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 5:06pm

Dayton Alexander knocked-in two runs with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, leading the Athletics to a 7-3 victory over the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #2 (AKA "Connie Mack Field") at the Papago Park Baseball Facility in Phoenix, AZ. 

Eloy Jimenez drove-in two of the three Cub runs with a sharply-hit RBI ground single through the 5.5 hole with two outs in the 1st inning and a two-out bases loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch in the 5th.

The Cub offense collected more walks (8) than hits (3) in the game, while Cub pitchers surrendered more walks (8) than hits (6).   

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning affair so that all of the pitchers who were scheduled to throw today could get their work.

In EXST Cubs roster news, AAA Iowa OF Jae-Hoon Ha (post-2013 broken wrist) has completed his EXST rehab and has rejoined the I-Cubs, and INF Giuseppe Papaccio has been moved up to AA Tennessee.

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Gleyber Torres, SS: 1-4 (K, BB, K, 1B, K, PO)
2a. Varonex Cuevas, 2B: 0-2 (BB, 3-U, BB, F-8, 2 R, SB)
2b. Dalfis Ortiz, 2B: 0-1 (K)
3. Jeffrey Baez, RF-CF: 0-4 (F-8, K, BB, P-3, 6-3)
4. Eloy Jimenez, DH: 1-4 (1B, 5-3, BB, 5-3, K, 2 RBI)
5. Alberto Mineo, 1B: 0-3 (K, BB, BB, 3-1, K, RBI)
6. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 0-4 (L-4, 3-U, 3-1, K)
7. Mark Malave, C: 0-3 (BB, K, K, 4-3)
8a. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-2 (F-9, K)
8b. Roney Alcala, PH-3B: 0-2 (4-3, 4-3)
9a. Rashad Crawford, CF: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, F-7, R)
9b. Arnaldo Calero, RF: 0-1 (E-5)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Tyler Ihrig: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 40 pitches (25 strikes)
2. Jose Paulino: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/3 GO/FO, 24 pitches (17 strikes)
3. Hector Perez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 38 pitches (18 strikes)
4. Frailyn Figueroa: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 1 BALK, 2/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (17 strikes)
5. Greyfer Eregua: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 16 pitches (11 strikes)
6. Zak Hermans: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 15 pitches (9 strikes)  

CUBS ERRORS: 3
1. 3B Jesse Hodges - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely and unearned run to score)
2. P Frailyn Figueroa - E-1 (overthrow on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed baserunner to advance to 3rd)
3. C Mark Malave - E-2 (errant pick-off attempt at 2nd base allowed runner to advance to 3rd)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Mark Malave: 0-1 CS, 1 PB, 1 E (see above) 

ATTENDANCE: 10

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 90's 

Tags: 
Extended Spring Training
Eloy Jimenez
EXST Cubs Extended Spring Training

Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 5:52pm  
Eloy Jimenez: Bring him up!

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 8:09pm  
F Valbuena

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 9:46pm  
it's that time of the game...where the lefty reliever comes in to face the cubs 3-4 lefties in a row. man on 2nd, 1 out...might be a good time to get olt in the game with valubuena's slot due, though. ...and olt it is. ...and he hits a single. corners, 1 out...woo. rizzo sac fly, cubs lead by 1 in the top 8th. \m/ ...make that 2 runs because m.holliday is a lulzy fielder.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 9:44pm  
And Olt dings his shoulder diving back into first.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 9:54pm  
Olt can motor. /FREE MIKE OLT!

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:23pm  
veras continuing the long tradition of cardiac cubs closers. 2 on, 0 outs...

Submitted by QuietMan  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:26pm  
I was wondering how Jose was going to make this interesting. A nonHBP HBP never entered into it.

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:25pm  
Veras < Hawkins < Marmol

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:29pm  
veras sucks

Submitted by QuietMan  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:32pm  
Yes, yes he does.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:33pm  
veras really sucks, this is doug jones bad

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:38pm  
i can't believe no one was even summoned to warm in the pen through this veras appearance. bases loaded for lefty m.carpenter with 1 out.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:41pm  
keep smiling Ricky, you asshole, you blew this game

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:41pm  
Dear Veras, don't blame the ump. Ain't the ump's fault.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:44pm  
the ump's zone has sucked all night, but all that wasn't on the ump f'sure. the calls veras got squeezed on didn't make/break that inning. veras already lucked up getting a wild pitch somehow scored as a passed ball.

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:45pm  
Pat & Ron convinced that will eventually be changed to a WP.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:48pm  
miracle welly got his mitt on that

Submitted by Tito  on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 9:11am  
Disagree. He struck out Carpenter, only the ump didn't call it. Carpenter then hit the sac fly.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:42pm  
Shark should step on Ricky's head on the way to kicking Veras in the sack.

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:49pm  
That's how a real closer operates. What did that take about 2 minutes to plow through three Cub hitters?

Submitted by billybucks  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:49pm  
Time for the Cubs to move yet another closer into a mop-up role. I had zero confidence that Veras would save this game -- I'm sure the team feels the same way. Well done,Theo and Jed. A hint -- closers that can't throw strikes are not what you should be looking for.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:55pm  
grimm 8 pitches...2 walks. no one up in the pen. really?

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:05pm  
K, popout, K...sweet. to the 11th!

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 10:56pm  
The Cubs bullpen: http://www.fakesteve.net/wp-content/uploads/2...

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:14pm  
OH BOY...BUNTING! what the fuck...also, nice bunt fail on the safety squeeze kalish.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:15pm  
OH BOY...3 RUN HOME RUNS! welly cashing that shit in. jeah.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:15pm  
CASTILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:20pm  
So are 3 runs enough? I'm having trouble getting too excited yet.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:28pm  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjQtzV9IZ0Q cubs win and everything is alright with the world.

Submitted by jacos  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 10:00am  
Now you are calling the Cubs pigs? When will all the negativity and name calling end?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Submitted by crunch  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 8:43pm  
lulz. seriously, though...strap a glove on the pig and let him have a turn as closer. can't hurt.

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 11:28pm  
Rondon for closer.

Submitted by crunch  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 2:59am  
a.cashner threw a hell of a game vs DET last night... 9ip 1h 2bb 11k - 108 pitches 0r/er (no-hitter was broken up in the 6th) ancient civilian roger craig (yes, he's still alive...and rather healthy looking) was on the ARZ/SF broadcast 2 nights ago calling him the most interesting pitcher he's seen in a while when asked who's piquing his interest in the current game...and cashner delivers this performance a day later. can't complain about getting rizzo since the team needed a power bat (and his D at 1st is top notch), but it still stings it took cashner to get it done.

Submitted by Charlie  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 9:27am  
Let's not forget he had a somewhat worrisome injury history that probably influenced the Cubs front office at the time. Looks pretty healthy now, though.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 9:20am  
4-6 Cubs have a 24% chance of making the playoffs, per John DeWan... http://tinyurl.com/lclmbu7

Submitted by jacos  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 10:05am  
Tell you what I know they are not making playoffs but Ill watch these kids and enjoy it. Seeing Oly motoring around bases was a treat. Bring up Baez and Bryant, lets go nuts.

Submitted by jacos  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 10:02am  
A' s pull their $ 10 million a year closer, Smiley says veras still closer. /pleas stand next to Mr Quade and Mr Sveum

Submitted by Ryno  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 12:44pm  
What? He really said that? Why wouldn't you put the guy in the 6th or 7th inning until he can get things straightened out, then move him back. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer my closers to have ERAs under 9.00.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 1:11pm  
He said that last night right after the game to reporters. He spoke with Veras this morning and is making a change.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 1:27pm  
per Wittenmeyer https://twitter.com/GDubCub/status/4550203474...

Submitted by jacos  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 1:37pm  
Theo must have gave him gave him the Elmer Fudd briefing

Submitted by craig  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 10:39am  
Phil, how did Jose Paulino look? Any scouting observations on his stuff, velocity, sink or fade, or whatever? Decent/average arm, or does he look pretty fast?

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Sun, 04/13/2014 - 10:29pm  

CRAIG: Of all of the Latin pitchers making their U. S. debut at EXST, Jose Paulino has been the most-impressive (so far). He has the best command and shows the most poise, and he has a nice mix of pitches (cutter, sinker, and curve).

I mentioned in a previous comment that Paulino is a beanpole, sort of a LH version of C. J. Edwards (in terms of body-type).  

It's difficult to know a whole lot about any of the new Latin pitchers at EXST right now, because they are all still in the process of getting into game-shape. More will be known over time as they get more game reps.

 

Submitted by Hagsag  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 12:53pm  
Rusin up, Schlitter down.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 12:58pm  
Interesting...I thought Splitter looked pretty good except the one bad outing. Moving Villanueva back to thr pen maybe?

Submitted by The Joe  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 1:15pm  
Arrieta should take Rolly Fingers' spot soon, no?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 1:57pm  
Soon....good god. A meatball to the pitcher on 0 and 2 ... he's just not that good. He's always been better as a reliever.

Submitted by Ryno  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 2:11pm  
You'd never know by the box score, but Castro is getting after the ball today... wow. Good job.

Submitted by johann  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 2:17pm  
Yes and thank god for instant replay. Nice to see good plays by players get rewarded.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 4:38pm  
Cubs optioned LHP Chris Rusin to Triple-A Iowa after the game. No word yet of who's coming up. Parker, Ramirez, or Rosscup? Wesley Wright still not being used.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 04/13/2014 - 8:10am  
CCO says "multiple sources" report that Blake Parker is the call up

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  • crunch 1 day 3 hours ago (view)

    a lot of people were all-in on it being a 2022 thing, but given how MLB has held the DH over the player's heads like it's some kind of extremely valuable chip worth more than the players seem to think it's worth...who knows...

     
  • Cubster 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    any estimates on the chances of the DH in the NL anytime soon?

     
  • crunch 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    k.schwarber is hella good at post-season baseball.

     
  • Cubster 1 day 6 hours ago (view)

    Carter Hawkins introduced to the press...

    https://youtu.be/X9RV6bAIIfw

     
  • crunch 1 day 7 hours ago (view)

    e.castillo and t.payne off the 40man in 100% totally expected moves.

    both are/were catcher organizational depth.

     
  • crunch 1 day 8 hours ago (view)

    for those keeping track of the heating-up Mets head of baseball operations search, theo has already ruled himself out.

    mets want(ed) some heavy hitters (including b.beane and d.stearns), but none of them are on board...well, MIL took stearns off the board before he could chime in because he has a year left on his contract.

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 12 hours ago (view)

    Something to keep in mind about clearing MLB 40-man roster slots for players eligible for selection in this year's Rule 5 Draft is that you can't non-tender players to create 40-man roster space for Rule 5 Draft eligibles. That's because players can only be non-tendered on 12/2, and the pre-Rule 5 Draft roster filing deadline is 11/19 (almost two weeks - PRIOR TO -the contract tender date). NOTE: Normally the roster filing deadline is 11/20, but it's moved up to 11/19 this year because 11/20 falls on a Saturday in 2021

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 13 hours ago (view)

    BRADSBEARD: Just one game, some BP, infield practice, and baserunning drills. So not much to glean from that so far. 

     
  • crunch 2 days 4 hours ago (view)

    minor league baseball has to provide housing for minor leaguers starting 2022 (paid for by MLB parent clubs).  this is HUGE news and will make it possible for guys to stick around longer without having to quit the game just to earn a basic living.  for minor league players working in expensive housing markets this is a life saver.

    activist players from the OAK and LAA minor league teams as well as minor league player labor advocacy organizations were a huge part of making this happen.  good work.

     
  • bradsbeard 2 days 8 hours ago (view)

    Did you have any occasion to observe Pedro Ramirez? Not sure if he got into any games or not (now that I think of it, you wrote up at least one game he played in). 

     
  • Arizona Phil 2 days 13 hours ago (view)

    azbobbop: Certainly LHSPs Drew Gray and Luke Little have emerged as legit significant high-end SP prospects. RHSP Luis Devers has probably displaced Koen Moreno as the top "pitchability" SP prospect in the lower levels of the Cubs system. Tyler Schlaffer (another "pitchability" guy) also had an impressive Instructs, although Devers is a better SP prospect because he has a solid three-pitch mix and knows how to use it, while Schlaffer has just the 92-94 FB & CV (although both are solid offerngs) and isn't as polished as Devers is.

     
  • Hagsag 2 days 19 hours ago (view)

    This is the first time I have heard about the four month program in November. 

     
  • azbobbop 3 days 2 hours ago (view)

    Phil, now that instructional scare finished, which players impressed you the most and who are disappointments.

     
  • tim815 3 days 6 hours ago (view)

    Cool. Should help his trade value if the bat plays.

     
  • Arizona Phil 3 days 8 hours ago (view)

    TIM: Peter Matt looks very comfortable at 3B. He is a classic "four-corner" guy (1B-3B-LF-RF). 

     
  • Arizona Phil 3 days 8 hours ago (view)

    KKvG: I strongly suspect Koen Moreno's outing was more about getting out on the mound and throwing in a game than anything. He did get several swings & misses from his CH (which is a plus-pitch), and he uses his low 90's FB to set-up the CH.

    I didn't see any breaking balls, although it's possible I might have mistaken a CH for one.

    Koen Moreno is what scouts call a "pitchability" guy. Nothing wrong with that, BTW. MLB starting rotations are full of pitchers like that.  

     
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