Local Boy Makes Good, Makes Cubs Pitchers Look Bad

San Francisco Giants 2009 2nd round draft pick Tommy Joseph (Horizon HS – Scottsdale, AZ) blasted a two-run home run to cap a five-run 3rd as the Giants trounced the Cubs 13-2 in AZ Instructional League action at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale this afternoon. Local-boy Joseph also hit a two-run bomb in yesterday’s 12-1 Giants victory at Fitch Park.

While the pitching (13 runs on 12 hits, five walks, and a HBP) and defense (four errors in the first three innings) left much to be desired today, the Cub offense wasn't any better. Already down 7-0 and with Giants pitchers having retired the previous 14 in a row, the Cubs scored their only two runs of the game in the top of the 6th in the following way: WALK - PASSED BALL - WILD PITCH - STRIKE OUT - RBI SINGLE - WILD PITCH - WALK - WILD PITCH - WALK - WILD PITCH - STRIKE OUT - STRIKE OUT. And that was the offensive high point!

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Marco Hernandez, SS: 1-3 (1B, 6-3, BB, 5-3, CS)
2a. Logan Watkins, CF: 1-2 (1B, K, SB)
2b. Xavier Batista, LF: 0-1 (K)
2c. Sergio Burruel, PH: 1-1 (2B)
3a. Engel Santana, C: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, K)
3b. Max Kwan, C: 0-1 (P-4)
4. Justin Bour, DH #1: 0-3 (K, K, 4-3)
5. Ryan Cuneo, 1B-3B: 0-3 (K, F-8, 3-U)
6. Dustin Geiger, 3B-1B: 0-3 (F-8, K, 6-3)
7. Reggie Golden, LF-CF: 0-2 (K, BB, 6-3, R)
8. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 0-3 (5-3, K, K)
9. Delbis Arcila, DH #2: 1-3 (K, 1B, P-5, RBI, R)
10. Oliver Zapata, RF: 0-2 (6-3, BB, 6-3)

PITCHERS:
1. Jeff Lorick: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 30 pitches (20 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Luis Liria: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 51 pitches (32 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Alvaro Sosa: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 39 pitches (21 strikes), 1/3 GO/FO
4. Brian Smith: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 27 pitches (15 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Charles Thomas: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 26 pitches (14 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO

ERRORS: (4)
1. 1B Ryan Cuneo E-3 (throwing error allowed runner to advance from 2nd base to 3rd base – eventually scored unearned run)
2. P Luis Liria E-1 (errant throw on attempted pick-off at 2nd base allowed runner to advance from 2nd base to 3rd base and runner on 1st base to advance to 2nd base)
3  C Engel Santana E-2 (errant throw on stolen base attempt allowed runner to advance from 2nd base to 3rd base)
4. 3B Dustin Geiger E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base – eventually scored unearned run)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Engel Santana – 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)

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ATTENDANCE: 19 (mostly scouts)

WEATHER: Sunny and breezy with temperatures in the 80’s