Morelli Extends Hit Streak to 14 As Cubs Tarnish Angels at Fitch Park

Runey Davis drove-in four runs with a bases-loaded triple and an RBI single, Sergio Burruel knocked-in two more with a two-run single, and Jesus Morelli extended his hitting streak to 14 games with an RBI double, leading the EXST Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the EXST Angels in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #2 this morning in Mesa.

AA Tennessee OF Brandon Guyer (left arm injury) continued his EXST rehab by getting seven Plate Appearances in the game, and he made the most of them, too, reaching base six times on two singles, a double, two walks and a HBP. He also scored a run and drove one in, and then he stole a couple of bases for good measure. To prove he is mortal, Guyer got himself picked-off 1st base in the 4th.

AA Tennessee LHP Casey Lambert (2009 TJS) also continued his rehab this morning, throwing one inning (18 pitches), and allowing a run on a single, a HBP, a WP, and a ground out.

In EXST Cubs roster news, 21-year old Dominican RHP Frank Batista and 19-year old Korean OF Jae-Hoon Ha have been promoted to Peoria.

In 20.1 IP over seven EXST appearances (three GS), Batista had allowed 11 runs (but only five earned) on 19 hits, with a 2.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .234 OBA, and a 4/16 BB/K and 21/22 GO/FO. Batista was the Cubs #1 pitcher in the Dominican Summer League in 2009.

Ha was hitting 350/378/600 with two doubles, two triples, one HR, and six RBI in 14 EXST games, and he was just recently moved back to the OF after having all kinds of problems trying to make the conversion back to catcher (he was a catcher in HS). Ha is very athletic and can play all three OF positions, but he was hampered throughout most of the 2009 season with a sore wrist. He does have XBH power (and HR power) when healthy.

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

NOTE: CF Brandon Guyer hit 1st in the 2nd and 4th innings, and 3rd in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings, getting seven Plate Appearances total in the game

LINEUP:
X. Brandon Guyer, CF: 3-4 (BB, BB, 1B, HBP, F-8, 1B, 2B, R, RBI, 2 SB, PO)
1. Arismendy Alcantara, 3B: 0-4 (6-3, F-7, F-8, K)
2. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-4 (F-8, F-7, P-4, E-6, R)
3. Jesus Morelli, DH #1: 1-4 (6-3, F-8, P-4, 2B, R, RBI)
4. Alvaro Ramirez, RF: 2-4 (1B, 2B, 6-3, F-8, 2 R)
5a. Bobby Wagner, 1B: 1-2 (BB, 1B, K, 2 R)
5b. Carlos Romero, 1B: 0-1 (5-3)
6. Runey Davis, LF: 2-3 (3B, 1B, 4-3, R, 4 RBI)
7. George Matheus, SS: 0-2 (BB, 6-3, 6-3, SB)
8. Sergio Burruel, DH #2: 1-3 (P-6 DP, 1B, 3-U, 2 RBI)
9. Jose Guevara, C: 1-3 (1B, 6-4 FC, F-8, SB)

PITCHERS:
1. Casey Lambert – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 18 pitches (11 strikes)
2. Tzu-An Wang – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 38 pitches (27 strikes)
3. Drew Rundle – 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 25 pitches (12 strikes)
4. Jadel Mendez – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 3/5 GO/FO, 29 pitches (22 strikes)
5. Alvido Jimenez – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (18 strikes)

ERRORS: 2
1. P Tzu-An Wang E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed baserunner to advance to 2nd)
2. SS George Matheus E-6 (throwing error at 1st base allowed batter to reach base – did not score)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Jose Guevara: 0-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 6

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