Owen Ciassie
Cub Offense Shines Under the Lights in ACL Opening Night
Ezequiel Pagan blasted a solo HR to key a four-run third, Reggie Preciado immediately followed with a solo HR and then later walked three times (once with the bases loaded) and stole a base, Rafael Morel singled, walked, and scored a run, Owen Caissie singled twice, walked, and stole a base, Felix Stevens smacked a double and an RBI triple and scored two runs, Malcom Quintero doubled, walked, and scored two runs, Ismael Mena laced two RBI singles and drew a walk, and Shendrik Apostel singled and walked, helping the ACL Cubs defeat the ACL Diamondbacks 7-4 in Arizona Complex League (formerly AZL) Opening Night game action Monday evening on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.
Juan Corniel belted an RBI triple and scored in the 3rd and drilled a two-run single in the 7th to provide most of the offense for the D'backs.
The Cubs scored five runs on nine hits (five singles, two doubles, and two HR) off Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Taylor Widener in 2.2 IP. Widener has been on the D'backs MLB 10-day IL for over a month with a groin strain, and was making what he problably thought was a ho-hum Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab start in Mesa. Or as Augie Ojeda once said about doing a rehab stint in the AZL: "This is a really tough league for big leaguers."
Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):
Recent comments
crunch (view)
wicks 15d DL...cubs select...get ready for this one...richard f'n lovelady. lovelady's stregnths include being able to throw a ball left handed and that's about it.
also little optioned, palencia up.
crunch (view)
straily's a bit rusty...
3ip 4h 5bb 4k, 2r/1er
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Open 40 man spot might see the return of CJ. He’s been okay in Iowa. Teheran has been rocked in his starts this year. SSS of course.
Wouldn’t be shocked seeing another 40 man spot open with Brewer losing his spot.
TarzanJoeWallis (view)
Word is that Counsell thought Mervis and Wisdom got too much work in yesterday so it will be Wesneski.
crunch (view)
no days off til may 9th. moves may happen if the pen gets too worked tomorrow.
Cubster (view)
On top of all that…Wicks scratched for Sunday due to “forearm soreness.” Bullpen day again starting with Mervis or Wisdom (or Wesn).
crunch (view)
"Morel told reporters after the game that he felt alright, just a little banged up — specifically noting his right hip and both elbows. He did say that he was optimistic about his ability to play on Sunday, though manager Craig Counsell may have other plans."
crunch (view)
rsox putting pablo reyes up to pitch...an infielder...cranking 70+mph stuff.
...and of course he gets out of it with no runs scored...that kind of day for the cubs.
crunch (view)
...and wisdom replaces mervis on the mound to try to get the last out.
busch is at 3rd, but i wouldn't read too much into that.
wisdom's thrown a couple in the 80s (one of them 88mph), but both missed the strike zone badly.
crunch (view)
matt mervis is no david ross on the mound.
cubs run differential getting destroyed.