Cubs Grab the Bulls by the Horns in Four-Run 9th

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 5:49pm

Gustavo Polanco drilled a one-out game-tying two-run double off the LF fence (near HR) and Roberto Caro followed one out later with a two-out walk-off line-drive game-winning RBI single, as the Cubs Eugene/Mesa squad (Extended Spring Training group) rallied for four runs in the bottom of the 9th to edge los Toros de Tijuana (Mexican League) 10-9 in Minor League Camp game action Thursday morning on Field #3 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Adonis Paula belted a two-run double and a single and scored two runs, Yohan Matos ripped a two-run double and an RBI single, and Kwang-Min Kwon tripled and singled and scored a run to aid the Cub cause, and Isaac Rodriguez slugged a two-run HR and singled, Dustin Martin hammered a two-run triple and walked twice, and Edson Garcia rifled a two-run triple for los Toros in a losing cause. 

Los Toros are one of three Mexican League teams taking Spring Training at the Kino Sports Complex (formerly known as "Tucson Electric Park" when the White Sox and Diamondbacks based their Spring Training there) in Tucson. (Pericos de Puebla and Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz are the other two Mexican League clubs sharing the facility with los Toros), and in addition to playing games against each other in Tucson, the three Mexican League clubs have also been playing games against MLB minor league affiliates in the Phoenix area during the month of March. (Mexican League Opening Day is April 1st). 

The Cubs have signed nine players out of Mexico over the last 18 months, and six just in the 2015-16 IFA alone (the same number they have signed so far out of Venezuela in the 2015-16 IFA). So the Cubs--and more specifically Mexico Area Scout Sergio Hernandez--have really been going hard after Mexican talent lately.  

Three of the players signed by the Cubs out of Mexico over the past couple of years (RHSP Jesus Camargo, shortstop Isaac Paredes, and catcher Kevin Zamudio) played in the game against Tijuana, and you could see that the trio were stoked to compete against los Toros.   

Cubs Spring Training Depth Chart
Minor League Camp Rosters (updated daily)

Here is the box score from the game: 

TOROS DE TIJUANA LINEUP:
1a. Eduardo Arredondo, CF: 1-2 (BB, 1B, 3-U, R, CS)
1b. Edson Garcia, PH-CF: 1-2 (3B, F-9, 2 RBI)
2a. Olmo Rosario, LF: 1-3 (F-9, F-9, 1B)
2b. Enrique Trujillo, PH-LF: (0-2 (5-3-2 DP, 6-4-3 DP)
3a. Oscar Robles, DH: 1-2 (BB, 1B, K, 2 R)
3b. Emmanuel Valdez, PH-DH: 1-2 (2B, F-9, R)
4a. Dustin Martin, RF: 1-1 (3B, BB, BB, R, 2 RBI)
4b. Roman Pena Zonta, RF: 0-1 (K)  
5a. Juan Apodaca, C: 1-3 (1B, 6-4 FC, 5-4-3 DP, RBI)
5b. Omar Renteria, C: 1-1 (2B, RBI)
6a. Luis Suarez, 1B: 1-2 (F-9, F-8 SF, 3B, R, RBI) 
6b. Roberto Lopez, 1B: 0-1 (P-3 DP)
7a. Miguel Torrero, 3B: 0-0 (HBP)
7b. Isaac Rodriguez, 3B: 2-3 (F-7, HR, 1B, R, 2 RBI) 
8. Omar Quintanilla, 2B: 1-4 (L-8, F-8, 1B, K, R)
9. Jose Guadalupe Chavez, SS: 0-3 (5-3, L-9, BB, 1-6-3 DP, R) 
10. Jose Gil, DH #2: 0-2 (P-3, E-5)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER

EXST CUBS lINEUP:
1a. Luis Ayala, CF: 1-2 (K, BB, 2B)
1b. Roberto Caro, CF: 1-2 (K, 1B, RBI)
2. Edgar Rondon, 2B:  2-4 (K, 1B, 1B, 1-3, R, RBI, PO) 
3. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 0-4 (F-9, K, 3-U, 5-3)
4a. Wladimir Galindo, 3B-DH: 0-2 (5-3, 6-3)
4b. Miguel Amaya, PH-DH: 1-1 (BB, 1B, 2 R)  
5a. Kwang-Min Kwon, RF-DH: 2-2 (3B, 1B, R)
5b. Jhonny Pereda, PH-DH: 1-2 (F-9, 2B, R, RBI)
6a. Adonis Paula, DH-3B: 2-3 (1-2 FC, 1B, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI)
6b. Eric Gonzalez, PH: 0-1 (5-3)
7a. Yohan Matos, LF: 2-3 (6-4 FC, 2B, 1B, 3 RBI)
7b. Michael Foster, LF: 0-0 (BB, R) 
8. Isaac Paredes, SS: 0-3 (L-8, 5-3, P-6, BB, R)
9a. Kevin Zamudio, C: 1-2 (1B, K, R)
9b. Gustavo Polanco, C: 1-2 (4-3, 2B, 2 RBI)
10. Ricardo Marcano, DH-RF: 1-4 (K, 1B, F-8, P-6)

TOROS DE TIJUANA PITCHERS: 
1. Nathan Reed: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 PO, 4/2 GO/AO, 61 pitches (40 strikes) 
2. Miguel Pena: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 31 pitches (18 strikes)
3. Ricardo Jacquez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 10 pitches (8 strikes)
4. Jesus Garcia: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 16 pitches (10 strikes)
5. Mario Mendoza Jr: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 38 pitches (20 strikes)

EXST CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Jesus Camargo: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 0/3 GO/AO, 27 pitches (15 strikes) 
2. John Michael Knighton: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 2/3 GO/AO, 39 pitches (24 strikes) 
3. Enrique de los Rios: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 2/2 GO/AO, 31 pitches (15 strikes) 
4. Erling Moreno: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 0/1 GO/FO,  21 pitches (13 strikes) 
5. Manny Rondon: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 1/1 GO/AO, 18 pitches (10 strikes) 
6. Pedro Silverio: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/AO, 14 pitches (9 strikes)
7. Yapson Gomez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/1 GO/AO, 5 pitches (3 strikes) 

TOROS DE TIJUANA ERRORS: NONE 

EXST CUBS ERRORS: 1 
3B Adonis Paula - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

EXST CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Kevin Zamudio: 1-1 CS

TOROS DE TIJUANA OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 
1. LF Olmo Rosario - batter (Yohan Matos) thrown out 7-2-5 attempting to stretch double into triple
2. CF Eduardo Arredondo - runner (Ricardo Marcano) thrown out 8-6-2 attempting to score from 1st on double
3. RF Roman Pena Zonta - batter (Yohan Matos) thrown out 9-4 attempting to stretch single into double

ATTENDANCE: 41 

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 70's 

Tags: 
Cubs Minor League Spring Training Game Recap
Adonis Paula
Yohan Matos
Kwang-Min Kwon
Roberto Caro
Gustavo Polanco

Comments

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 7:15pm  
arrieta done after 0.1ip and less than 40 pitches...was supposed to go 80-ish pitches...velocity down..."something" seems up with his thumb, assumed to be a blister. 0.1ip 4h 2bb 0k...5er blister confirmed..."reoccurring blister"...dryness in arizona...had it superglued...feels fine aside from that.

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 7:53pm  
Right thumb blister. Nolan Ryan suggests using pickle brine (once the blister is healed). http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/right... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyqVcg_wvAU

Submitted by billybucks  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 8:10pm  
I'm glad it was a blister -- he looked terrible.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Sat, 03/26/2016 - 1:24pm  

Since the Cubs won't need a 5th starter until the home opener on April 11th, the Cubs could place Jake Arrieta on the 15-day DL retroactive to Friday 3/25 (his last MLB Cactus League game was Thursday 3/24) and then reinstate him in  time for the home opener (presuming his blister has healed). 

In the meantime, the Cubs could go with a four-man rotation, an eight-man bullpen, and five players on the bench in Anaheim and Phoenix,

Submitted by Non Roster Invitee  on Sat, 03/26/2016 - 1:46pm  
I don't expect the Cubs to give away LaStella, Szczur, or Ramirez. The final 25 man roster may not be that complicated. Who they protect on the 40 man roster could become the more important question.

Submitted by tim815  on Sat, 03/26/2016 - 5:26pm  
LaStella has three options left. He obviously won't be given away.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 8:45pm  
this game is turning into a f'n crime scene... 11 runs in for SF after 3.1ip...115+ pitches by cubs pitchers...2 bases loaded runs walked in during the 1st and 4th...still bases loaded as of typing this. SF is doing their best to make sure this is a 4-hour game, themselves...top 5 is a gem so far. lol...8 run top 5th...cubs lead 13-11. 5th cubs pitcher being used in the bottom 5th...they only brought 7 pitchers to the game. phone calls, pitchers being stretched further, or ending early...

Submitted by billybucks  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 9:25pm  
According to GameDay, the current count on Andreoli is 6-0. Gotta be looking fastball on 6-0.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 8:08am  
Thanks for that.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 10:34pm  

John Arguello at Cubs Den has pics and notes up from Wednesday's games at Riverview Park, as well as from Wednesday night's Cubs-Rangers Futures Game in Surprise: 

link 

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 9:58am  

Today (Friday 3/25) is the first day that players on MLB 40-man rosters can be placed on the 15-day DL. It's also the furthest back a 15-day DL stint can be back-dated. Also, for players placed on a club's MLB 60-day DL earlier in Spring Training (like Cubs LHRP Zac Rosscup for example), today is the first day that counts toward the minimum 60 days these players must spend on the 60-day DL. 

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 10:43am  

The Los Angeles Angels have released OF Trevor Gretzky. He was assigned to their Hi-A group (Inland Empire 66ers) at Minor League Camp, and I saw him play against the Cubs Hi-A squad (Myrtle Beach) just a few days ago. 

The son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, Trevor was the 7th round pick of the Cubs in 2011 out of a Los Angeles-area HS. He was a top prospect going into his senior year, but suffered a near career-ending shoulder injury in a HS football game (he was the QB), and his shoulder never really recovered. 

He spent three seasons (two full seasons) in the Cubs system before being traded to the Angels a couple of years ago at the end of Minor League Camp, moving back & forth between 1B and LF, but he never found a permanent position. He also never developed any power, but he does have a really good batting eye and a decent opposite-field stroke. But that just doesn't play in LF or 1B. 

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 10:55am  
Hopefully he will be able to get by.

Submitted by Rogers  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 1:12pm  
What ifs wrong with the site. It has been confusing on my I Pad for about 3 days. Is this my problem or yours. Thanks

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 2:06pm  
to minor league camp... Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat Almora, Andreoli, Gomes, Guzman, Machi, Murton, Negron, Perez and Williams cut.#Cubs camp roster now 36

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 11:18pm  

35

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 5:04pm  
lastella returned today...pinch hit in the 6th (bb)...stayed in to play 3rd.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 5:17pm  
AZ Phil, Any idea why the focus on Mexico? I don't know a lot about it, but it seems that a country that size that loves baseball that much would produce more players. Perhaps this has been identified as a potential market inefficiency in scouting? Obviously most of the best Mexican kids play soccer, but do you know any reason why Mexico is so under-represented in international signings?

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 03/25/2016 - 5:41pm  
http://www.thecubreporter.com/12252014/feliz-... and http://www.thecubreporter.com/02212016/cubs-2... this fills in some AZ Phil info on the subject from past postings on the subject. "I think what you are seeing is the Cubs attempting to take advantage of a perceived market inefficency by establishing and maintaining a much heavier scouting presence in Mexico than they have in the past, developing close relationships with Mexican League clubs and (more importantly) with Mexican minor league clubs, and then aggressively pursuing and signing the best Mexican IFA their scouts can find." that seems to be a major take-home from it all...