Golden to Kane County as Cubs Edge A's at Fitch Park

Shawon Dunston Jr and Brad Zapenas collected three hits a piece, Francisco Sanchez stroked a two-run single and a double, and Loiger Padron tossed three innings of one-hit shutout ball, as the Cubs edged the Athletics 4-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Fitch Park Field #4 in Mesa, AZ

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning contest so that all of the A's and Cubs pitchers who were scheduled to throw today could get their work. 

In EXST Cubs roster news, OF Reggie Golden has been promoted to Kane County. 

The Cubs 2010 2nd round draft pick out of Wetumpka, AL, Golden suffered two torn knee ligaments while running the bases as a member of the Peoria Chiefs in April 2012, and missed the balance of the 2012 season. He looked rusty at Minor League Camp this past March, and so he was left behind at Extended Spring Training to get into better playing shape. 

Golden was mired in a 1-22 slump through his first 11 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, but turned things around beginning on April 30th. He ended up hitting 250/384/400 in 24 Cactus League EXST games (73 PA), with four doubles, one triple, one HR & 12 RBI, 12/19 BB/K, and two SB (no CS), but he was especially hot over his last ten games (35 PA), hitting 400/486/533 with two doubles, a triple, and eight RBI over that span.   

Also, RHRP Larry Suarez has been moved-up to Daytona.

In five Cactus League EXST games (7.0 IP), Suarez allowed one run (earned) on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts (1.29 ERA & 1.00 WHIP). Suarez struggled to throw strikes in Minor League Camp, and was left behind at Extended Spring Training to build up arm strength and work on his mechanics.

Now 23, the 6'4 270 Suarez was signed as a 16-year old "bonus baby" out of Venezuela on July 2, 2006 (the first day of the 2006 International Signing Period). He has occasionally shown flashes of talent (he was the closer for a while at Peoria last season), but has mostly been a disapointment. He is eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent (AKA "six-year free-agent") post-2013 if he is not added to the Cubs 40-man roster or agrees to a 2014 minor league successor contract by the 5th day following the conclusion of the 2013 World Series.   

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



CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH #1: 3-5 (1B, 3-U, 1B, K, 1B, R)
2a. Alberto Mineo, C: 1-3 (1B, K, K, R)
2b. Wilfredo Petit, C: 0-2 (F-8, 4-6-3 DP)
3. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 1-4 (1B, K, F-9, 5-3)
4. Steve Clevenger, 1B-DH: 1-3 (BB, F-7, 1B, F-7)
5. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-4 (L-8, 6-3, F-9, 6-3)
6. Brad Zapenas, 2B: 3-4 (1B, 1B, 1B, K, R, RBI)
7. Jose Dore, LF: 1-4 (4-6-3 DP, 2B, P-6, 4-1, R)
8. Mark Malave, 3B: 0-4 (K, K, L-6, K)
9. Francisco Sanchez, SS: 2-4 (P-3, 1B, 2B, K, 2 RBI, PO)
10a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
10b. Xavier Batista, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Loiger Padron: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 41 pitches (23 strikes), 3/5 GO/FO
2. Alexander Santana: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 44 pitches (27 strikes), 5/1 GO/FO
3. Matt Iannazzo: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 37 pitches (20 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
4. Tyler Bremer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 8 pitches (6 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Angel Mejias: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 19 pitches (11 strikes), 1/1 GO/GO
 
CUBS ERRORS: NONE

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alberto Mineo: 1-2 CS

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
LF Jose Dore - runner thrown out 7-2 attempting to score from 2nd base on two-out single

ATTENDANCE: 7

WEATHER: Mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 90's



   

Comments

lame... "Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat #Cubs Vizcaino underwent debridement on right elbow. Had some discomfort. Won't pick up a bb for 6 weeks. Ligaments are good"

rain delay....lame... bottom 3rd, man on 1st, 1 out...ejax pitching well.

tb sends down odor...c.archer might get called up soon (maybe a stop-gap reliever until needed) 50ip 50h 23bb 52k 3.96era in 10 AAA starts on the season.

With the number two pick are the Cub's facing a kind of Seaver/Schmidt choice people imagined for the Prior/Teixeira draft?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

It is unlikely, but it depends on the offers they receive. I am beginning to lean towards keeping him as: (i) I don't expect a pile of prospects in return, (ii) I think the contract will be shorter, and (iii) you can't have enough front line starters.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

my feeling is that Garza's asking price and Cubs idea of fair value for Garza are nowhere close or he would have signed last year.

after seeing Anibal Sanchez's contract, Garza would be wise to test the market...the only way I seem him staying is if draft pick compensation scares other team's away.

Carrie Muskat‏@CarrieMuskat3m #Cubs Fujikawa to undergo Tommy John surgery on right arm. Has not set day for surgery or picked doctor. He's done for the season

So when is Lim going to be ready again? Who throws the hardest in the minors right now at AA or above? Tony Zych has not had a strong season as far as I can tell. How far away is he? It's not like Fuji was pitching reliable ball. Still this is just one more contract to chalk up as Cubbery.

Fujikawa to have TJS according to rotowire. Edit - Looks like I was a bit late on the post here.

The Fujikawa thing is one of the reasons I don't like the idea of massive free agent contracts for pitchers. In his case, it seemed like a reasonable gamble, since for one thing it doesn't qualify as massive in today's market, but I'd be awfully careful about extending, say, Garza, or hitting up the free agent market for an ace. A Sherpamardza contract extension is really an interesting predicament. At times, this guy seems like he could be an extremely dominating pitcher, but as of yet he still hasn't justified a mega deal. It'll be interesting to see how Theocorp plays that one.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

DBacks, @Angels, Pirates, Reds are next 4 opponents...wouldn't expect the record to improve much.

gets easier after that @Mets, @ Cardinals, vs. Astros, @ Brewers, @ Seattle before another tough stretch before the ASB (@ A's, vs Pirates, vs. Angels, vs. Cardinals)

barring some minor miracle comeback to .500, would expect the selling to start sometime after the break (can't begin soon enough for me, hopefully after the draft).

I generally don't mind Dan Plesac most of the time, but last night he said Navarro was the first Cub to hit three HR since Merv Rettemund. And that idiot Greg Amsinger didn't even correct him.

Cubs MLB Roster

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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus three are on the 60-DAY IL

26 players are on the MLB ACTIVE LIST, plus three are on the 15-DAY IL, one is on the 10-DAY IL, and ten are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors  

Last updated 6-3-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 12
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad
Jeremiah Estrada
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Mark Leiter Jr 
Julian Merryweather
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
Hayden Wesneski

CATCHERS: 3 
Miguel Amaya
* Tucker Barnhart 
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
Nico Hoerner
* Miles Mastrobuoni 
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
* Edwin Rios 
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

OPTIONED: 10
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Ryan Jensen, P 
Caleb Kilian, P  
Nick Madrigal, INF 
Michael Rucker, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Nelson Velazquez, OF

10-DAY IL: 1 
* Cody Bellinger, OF 

15-DAY IL: 2 
Brad Boxberger, P 
Nick Burdi, P  
* Justin Steele, P 

60-DAY IL: 3 
Codi Heuer, P 
Ethan Roberts, P
Adrian Sampson, P 

 




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