Cubs Drop Contest at Diablo

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 2:10pm

Matt Cerda reached base three times on a single, a double, and a walk, but there just wasn't much other Cubs offense on display, as the EXST Angels defeated the EXST Cubs 3-1 in Extended Spring Training action at the Angels Minor League Complex at Diablo Park in Tempe this morning. 

Three converted position players saw action on the mound for the Cubs today, and while RHP (ex-3B) Josh Lansford struggled with his control, 20-year old Dominican RHP (ex-SS) Gian Guzman and LHP (ex-OF) Ryan Sontag (2008 23rd round pick out of Arizona State) looked good, particularly Sontag, who worked quickly, fired strikes and punched out all four Angels batters he faced. 

Exclusively an outfielder in his college days at Arizona State and in his first season in pro ball at Boise last year (where he hit an anemic .218 with only five XBH), Sontag was a combination OF/LHP in high school (8-3 1.45 ERA), and he also pitched occasionally in his freshman year at Michigan State before transferring to ASU and moving the outfield full-time. So it's not like pitching is a foreign language for him.

But the crew-cut 5'10 200+ 23-year old Sontag hardly fits the classic image of a pitcher. A few stocky lefties have had successful big league pitching careers (1954 A. L. MVP Bobby Shantz was only 5'6 145!), but it is unsual to see a body-type like Sontag's throwing off a mound these days. 

Nevertheless, Sontag decided to give pitching a whirl in Minor League Camp this past March, and so far the results have been quite promising. He has pitched well in all of his EXST game outings so far, and he looks like he could advance rapidly through the system s a lefty reliever.   

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

LINEUP:
1. Jose Valdez, CF:        1-3  (1B, BB, 5-3, K - 1 R)
2. Dwayne Kemp, 2B:     1-3  (SH, K, 2B, K)
3. Matt Cerda, DH #1:      2-3  (2B, 1B, BB, F-8 - 1 RBI)
4. Chris Weimer, LF:       0-4  (FC, FC, K, K)
5. Juan Medina, 1B-C:    1-4  (GIDP, FC, 4-3, 1B)
6. Kevin Soto, RF            2-4  (2B, 1B, F-8, K - 1 CS)
7. Alvaro Sosa, C-1B:      2-4  (F-8, 1B, F-8, 1B)
8. George Matheus, 3B:   0-4 (E-5, GIDP, K, FC)
9. Robert Bautista, SS:    0-2  (BB, F-7, K)
10. Jose Made, DH #2:     0-2  (BB, 4-3, 4-3)

PITCHERS:
1. Tarlandus Mitchell -  1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
2. Josh Lansford -         1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HBP, 2/2 GO/FO
3. Cedric Redmond -     2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO
4. Gian Guzman -          2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO
5. Ryan Sontag -           1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alvaro Sosa - 1-2 CS

Juan Medina - 1-1 CS

 

Tags: 
Matt Cerda
EXST Cubs
Josh Lansford
Ryan Sontag
Gian Guzman

Comments

Submitted by navigator  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:08pm  
CLINT HURDLE canned by the Rockies. "The last straw for the Rockies was being swept at home in a three-game series by the Dodgers,..."

Submitted by navigator  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:12pm  
2-1 Cubs Win! Angels of Death Dodgers do Not Sweep us at Home! Lou's Job Saved!

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:11pm  
Lou will quit on the team before getting fired. And also if they fire Lou, Hendry would have to go with him (not a horrible proposition). But I can't imagine anyone letting Hendry hire his 3rd manager.

Submitted by Tito  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:35pm  
What in the name of Dusty Baker does Hurdle getting fired have to do with Lou/Hendry?

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:48pm  
Read the title of NAVIGATOR's post.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:28pm  
lou's already quit on 2 teams in a row before coming to the cubs...he seems a bit happy or content here, though...even with the talk of this being his "last job."

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:15pm  
K-Fuk at third with no out, and he can't score??? That is pathetic!

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 8:51am  
The third base coach needs to be fired.

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:47pm  
Anyone else notice O-Dawg's hitting .338 with 30 RBI in the 3-spot as a lefty second baseman that we could have signed in the offseason?

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:20pm  
BUT JACE! Hendry had Fontenot, Theriot, and other Minor League bench players that he thinks can do just as good of a job. See how spot-on he's been?

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:35pm  
Yeah, I see how spot on he's been...

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:46pm  
I brought up Hudson during the off season and somebody shot me down for some reason. I don't remember the details because I'm getting old and my brain is about half the size it was when I was 20.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 8:20pm  
Hudson has been a pretty shocking suprise and playing well over his head. He's in the 'coulda, shoulda' category just like Ibanez.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 8:33pm  

a lot of people were pimping for Hudson...he's had some injury issues and it seemed like they just got rid of DeRosa for the about the same amount money...but it sure looks like a bone-headed move right now.

Long season though...

Submitted by Tito  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 3:57pm  
D'oh! I stand corrected at thinking Manny was being Manny.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:08pm  
Cubs Don't Lose!!!

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:22pm  
If Lou were to quit - Trammel takes over. IMO, things would have to get really, really bad for Lou to resign. Hendry would just write off the rest of the year rather than fire him. Unless Crane-less Kenny forces him to.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:29pm  
lou seems content enough...dunno what the pen thinks of his over the years, but he doesn't seem to have lost control of his clubhouse.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:34pm  
Have you guys been seeing Lou's press conferences lately? He's laughing and taking it one day at a time attitude. That being said if the Cubs win WS I believe he will quit.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:40pm  
Personally, I think he's done regardless, after the '09 season.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:38pm  
Name the team with the best record in the AL right now without looking it up...

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:40pm  
Red Sox or Tigers?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:44pm  
no and no, although both lead their divisions...

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:45pm  
rangers?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:51pm  
correct, I was suprised. Blue Jays in a 9-game death spiral. Bring on Halladay!

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:54pm  
When you asked I knew it would not be the usual suspects, and I knew it was not anyone in the central because I saw the other day that Tigers only team over .500 in that division. I'm betting on a sub .500 AL central division champ.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:01pm  
I'll say just .500, or one game over. Tigers still have decent pitching, IIRC.

Submitted by Mike Vail  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:41pm  
More likely than not, Lou chooses not to re-sign the end of this year. It would depend on whether A) How the team finishes this year. B)If the ownership can persuade him to stay on. C)How tired he gets. I distinctly remember the huge sigh he heaved when they clinched in 2008; that was a tired-looking man. If for some reason they win it all, he might just retire on top as well. I like Lou and hope he stays. Go Cubs!

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:43pm  
"...chooses not to re-sign" Do you mean "resign" - or "Re-Sign", as in re-upping his deal?

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:48pm  
he's signed through next season

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:03pm  
Indeed he is, however, depending on how much of a toll this year zaps him for, I believe he'll just "call-it".

Submitted by WISCGRAD  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:56pm  
So it looks like the Hill pinch-hit mix-up was probably Hill's fault. They were trying to call him back but he stepped in the batter's box at which point he is in no matter what.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:04pm  

really? thought you had to be announced?

Lou clearly has no control over this team. If Ted Lilly calls the booth during a game, all bets are off.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:10pm  
I heard Neil Cotts approached Brenly on the team plane...and asked if he could fluff his pillow.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:30pm  
Neil has been seen hugging his bong recently.

Submitted by WISCGRAD  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 11:11am  
The protocol is that the umpire looks over at the manager and the manager points to the hitter, at which point he is officially in the game, is written on the scorecard, and then announced. The batter usually waits on the circle until the ump looks over and the manager points and then the ump will motion him up to the plate. This time, for some reason, neither the umpire nor Hill was looking back at Lou for the OK. Koyie just sauntered up to the plate and the ump started writing his name down, and he was announced - all while Lou was yelling at both trying to get their attention. The PA has nothing to do with it. The batter is officially in the game when one of two things happens, the manager tells the umpire (verbally or by pointing) that he is in, or, as happened in this case, the batter crosses the line into the batter's box. Once you cross the chalk you are in the game no matter what the manager is saying. So had Hill not stepped in the box, the umpire would have let Lou pull him back since Lou had not confirmed he was in. In the end it seems to be partly Hill's fault for wondering up there like an idiot, but also partly Lou's fault for not making sure Hill knew he might not be the one going up.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 11:22am  
sorry, I misinterpreted batter's box as on-deck circle the first time...obviously if he gets that far it makes sense.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:47pm  
Andres Blanco and the D: Boy - I checked out a couple highlights from the last couple days: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?c... Andres Blanco seems to be the most talented SS/2B of ANY of the current "scrappy" guys.As I have heard, wasn't he a #1 draft choice for the Royals a few years ago? If he could only hit consistently! However, with Fontenot, Theriot, and Freel not being able to either, I'd just as soon have him saving runs.

Submitted by Romero  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:39pm  
I haven't seen Andy White play defense, but I can remember the reputation for his skee-ilz way back when he was playing with Iowa last year. The strange thing is that he's surprisingly young-- only 25, which makes me hope that his much improved batting line this season is less of a fluke than it is a progression. The Royals called him up originally when he was 20 years old (for two years running, Blanco was one of their top 10 prospects). Looking at Blanco's minor league numbers at baseball cube, he's played most of his games at SS and 2B, and only 2 at 3B. This sounds fine to me. Let Blanco be the defensive player he is, and play him every now and then when Riot needs a break. I imagine if he can hit about on par with M!les (which shouldn't be too unreasonable), Blanco (along with either Scales or Freel) makes M!les and his 4.9 million dollar contract redundant. Hopefully somebody else will need him and we can turn him into another Chris Robinson or something.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:51pm  
"I imagine if he can hit about on par with M!les" Umm, Sam Zell could probably hit on a par with Miles.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 6:33pm  
They finally won one without scoring 4...about time. The probably could have easily scored at least 4 with just a little bit of clutch hitting, which this team is abismally bad at. Anyway one win at a time keep plugging away until Ramirez comes back. I heard Lou is going to give Soriano a few days off to rest his knee, so we could see Fox play LF over the weekend? I'll be happy with a split this weekend, but its easier said than done.

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:16pm  
I'd just as soon have him saving runs. --- what I find interesting about Andy White is that he's a "switch-hitter" that only bats lefty. Hence he's fitting the 2009 Cubs profile of getting left handed. that is all.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:28pm  

someone in parachat said that len was saying he had surgery on one of his shoulders (right I believe) in the offseason and it's easier to swing from the left side. So we replaced one sore-armed infielder (Miles) with another one that can only bat lefty with a slew of lefties slated against us.

Outstanding planning by the Cubs.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:45pm  
I think when you have to go to plan C and D in Scales and Blanco you can't really be picky about what side of the plate they hit from. Were one injury away from seeing Nate Spears on this team.

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 8:06pm  
and somebody shot me down for some reason --- old and blue and wounded? ...now that's getting to the very heart of the 2009 Cubs.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 8:18pm  
except during the playoffs... http://www.baseball-reference.com/sotd/archiv... 2nd best record over the last 5 years against teams with a .600 winning percentage when they played them.

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 8:57pm  
not sure this is 3/44 but it was in today's StL Post-Dispatch regarding the Cardinals interest in several third basemen, including this on DeRosa. Note writer Bernie M. says the Cubs are also interested: - DeRosa: He’s more affordable for payroll puproses than Atkins, Beltre or Mora. DeRosa isn’t the smoothest at 3B, but can hold his own. He can also play 2B, SS, 1B, LF, RF. That versatility is ideal for manager Tony La Russa’s lineup concoctions. The Cardinals are poor against LH pitchers and DeRosa could help remedy that. In his career, he’s a .303 hitter against LH, with a .373 OBP and a .481 slugging percentage. Great guy in the clubhouse. Loved playing in the National League. Is Mitchell Boggs enough to land DeRosa? The Cubs, Mets and Brewers are said to be interested in acquiring DeRosa. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extr...

Submitted by Ryno  on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 10:13pm  
Yea, apparently Glaus isn't even close to coming back and he was supposed to be their 2nd-half boost.

Submitted by Romero  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 12:23am  
If DeRosa ends up a Cardinal I will be fucking sick. What do you think Cleveland wants for him? Couldn't we just offer Stevens, Gaub, and Archer? And throw in M!les? :) Or maybe Neal Cotts? Does Cleveland have a need for Jake Fox?

Submitted by toonsterwu  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 2:37am  
Cleveland reportedly wants ready pitching. Some say a starter and a reliever. One thing to keep in mind is that Cleveland isn't exactly out of it yet. Their chances are remote, but if some things fall their way, there's a chance. I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to add a pen arm to see if they can get it going. Failing that, then they might sell around the deadline. Short of it is, I wouldn't expect a move on DeRosa anytime soon. Some Indians fans suggest that they want a ready 3/4 starter. Much as I like DeRosa, I just don't see how he would net that, even if he has an outside chance at being Type A. A potential 3/4 starter? Sure, I could see that. I imagine a couple B-/C+ level arms in the upper levels would get them intrigued. Perhaps a Randy Wells and Kevin Hart (assuming Hart rebounds and Wells continues his surprisingly strong performance). It might be some different combination, but basically 2 arms on that level. I wouldn't go all out for DeRosa - he would fill a need at 2nd and a backup 3rd baseman, but I don't think that need is worth overpaying for unless something else happens to our team.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 9:37am  
Little blurb on the Cubs 2008 top three draftees over at BP: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Submitted by toonsterwu  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 12:03pm  
I'm still not completely sold that Cashner is a starter, but I was fairly high on last year's pitching heavy draft, and so far, it looks solid. Overall, our pitching depth is improving a lot. Shafer was a "hope he gets healthy pick", but Carpenter was a good gamble at that point. Hope his control can improve. Would like to see him at Daytona soon - not much else he can do at Peoria. I find it funny how a review of 3 picks from our draft doesn't somehow include Jay Jackson in there. As impressive as Carpenter has been in Peoria, Jackson's been that much more impressive and has arguably a better one-two punch than Carpenter.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 9:56am  
Worse than I previously thought: Dave Van Dyck gives us the stat that taking away A-Ram's excellent clutch hitting, the team's BA with RISP is .228 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball... This lineup REALLY DOES SUCK!

Recent comments

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The first 600 characters of the last 16 comments, click "View" to see rest of comment.
  • Rob Richardson 54 min 36 sec ago (view)

    At this point are there any players on this team that you would make a qualifying offer to much less a long term extension. 

     
  • Charlie 1 hour 19 min ago (view)

    With a title like, "It's probably time to be worried about Javier Baez," I think TCR readers might be ahead of the game.

     
  • crunch 2 hours 27 min ago (view)

    off-day tomorrow.  ATL gets to come into town next to strike out 20 cubs and give up 2-4 hits.

    we're trying to get at least 2 guys hitting .250 or move over here in cubs nation.  i'm pretty sure this is still chili davis's fault.

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 3 hours 28 min ago (view)

    Arizona vintage Shelby today

     
  • crunch 3 hours 30 min ago (view)

    shelby miller is dildos.

     
  • Arizona Phil 4 hours 27 min ago (view)

    Shelby Miller's minor league contract opt out was probably 4/15. 

     
  • Sonicwind75 5 hours 16 min ago (view)

    Good and/or depressing article about Javy over on Fangraphs.
    https://blogs.fangraphs.com/its-probably-time-to-b...

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 5 hours 34 min ago (view)

    Shelby Miller selected, Alzolay optioned. Adam returns, Wieck optioned. Romine returns, Wolters DFA

     
  • crunch 21 hours 4 min ago (view)

    CONTRERYES!

    wow, a cubs moment to root for.  that's been a while.

     
  • crunch 21 hours 9 min ago (view)

    pedro strop returns!

    slider looks great, but (as designed) he rarely throws it in the zone...fishing for swings/misses and bad contact.  he's got great command of it nibbling low and both sides of the plate.

    fastball coming in 92-94mph without much movement.  you could tell in the arias AB how much he didn't want to throw him a fastball (continuing to throw the slider on a 3-1 for a foul, and walking him with a slider on the next pitch).

    1ip 1h 1bb 1k, 0 r/er

     
  • crunch 23 hours 29 min ago (view)

    ...and matt duffy placed on the covid list (no positive, possible contact)

    i.vargas up

     
  • crunch 23 hours 41 min ago (view)

    hendricks scratched because he's "not feeling well."

    a.mills steps in.

     
  • Charlie 1 day 34 min ago (view)

    Back door firing all the players through COVID protocols? Better clear some shelf space for that manager of the year trophy.

     
  • crunch 1 day 34 min ago (view)

    Patrick Mooney @PJ_Mooney
    Cubs manager David Ross says none of the team’s players on the COVID-19-related injured list have tested positive: “We’re going to err on the side of caution.”

     
  • crunch 1 day 35 min ago (view)

    -deleted, wrong thread-

     
  • crunch 1 day 2 hours ago (view)

    they could motivate the team with a full sized cutout of a nude tom ricketts they reveal a little bit at a time when they win.

     
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