Today, pitchers ruled at HoHoKam Park as the Cubs snapped their six-game losing streak by defeating the Royals 9-1. Four Cubs pitchers held the Royals to four singles and a run that probably wouldn't have scored if Jeff Samardzija hadn't uncorked a wild pitch in the third inning, his first inning of work -- the other two frames the Shark threw were just fine.
The Cubs hurlers issued no walks and struck out six. So, the best answer you can get about today's question, "Who's got the advantage in the last-starter derby, Chad Gaudin or Jeff Samardzija" is, "Inconclusive". Good to see Gaudin throw solidly for two innings, since he may wind up being a long reliever on this team.
Let's not short-shrift the offense today: Alfonso Soriano hit his 2nd homer of the spring, and Little Babe Ruth (Mike Fontenot) also slammed his second dinger and raised his spring average (Danger! Warning! Meaningless stat ahead!) to .367.
I like Fontenot a lot. While he still may have to sit against certain LHP, he shows that "sneaky power" we've all marveled at (seriously: how does a guy that small hit a ball that far, that often?). Considering he was a throw-in in a trade in which the Cubs were just trying to unceremoniously dump Sammy Sosa, the Cubs appear to have gotten real value, a starting second baseman who, at 29, can probably give the Cubs at least two or three years of good 2B play. He's shown why the Orioles spent a #1 draft pick on him in 2001.
It was also fun to see the Cubs toy with good ol' Dr. Tightpants, Kyle Farnsworth, who loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before So Taguchi cleared 'em with a triple. Sorry we're not seeing the Royals this summer on our tour of the AL Central. (It'd be fun just to listen to Denny Matthews pronounce Chad Gaw-Dan again.)
And, for the Micah Hoffpauir lovers in the audience, Erin Andrews would like you to know that he went 2-for-4, a single and a double. (For the naysayers, he struck out in his other two at-bats.)
Today's attendance of 8,987 on another coolish, 69-degree day (I'd still take that here in Chicago, 69 degrees in early March) brought the eight-game average to 9,593. It should go up later in the week, as spring breaks start and more desirable opponents (the Angels) start to show up.
Tomorrow, Lou is reunited with one of his favorite Ancient Mariners (sorry, had to do it), Ken Griffey, Jr., as the Cubs host Seattle, with Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman facing, among others, temporary Cub Garrett Olson. Ryan Dempster may also see action for the Cubs. Wednesday is an off day, and despite what you may have read elsewhere, the Cubs are, as I posted here over the weekend, playing Japan's WBC team on Thursday at Mesa. Korea, the other team coming to San Diego for round 2, will play the Dodgers on Thursday. (Korea plays the Padres on Wednesday night and Japan plays the Giants on Wednesday afternoon.)
Tonight, there are three WBC games; feel free to use this post as the discussion thread. Below are Gameday links for the three games.
Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico Gametime: 5:30 pm CDT
Italy vs. Canada (loser is eliminated) Gametime: 5:30 pm CDT
Mexico vs. South Africa (loser is eliminated) Gametime: 9 pm CDT
0 recs | 65 comments
First
I am BORED.
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Apparently!
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
No cable till Tomorrow
Out since Friday. THE HORROR, THE HORROR
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Oh, NO!
You’ll have to follow Netherlands/Puerto Rico via Gameday!
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Uh, good mechanics? And didn’t you want him at only games against a RHP?
NittanyCub - March 9, 2009
I did, but I'm getting sold on him as a full-timer.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
he's a keeper
Emelie - March 9, 2009
Q:How many times would you see three guys from a 5-man starting rotation appear in one game?
A: Only in spring training! Kinda neat to maybe see Harden, Heilman, and Dempster all in one game.
This club needs another multi-talented positional player (a la DeRosa, sniffle, sniffle). Who can come off the bench and play a handful of positions? This is starting to bother me, and it’s only week three or so into ST. Who’s on our bench now? Probably Bako, Gathright, Fontenot, Fukudome/Johnson depending on the lineup? Who else am I missing? I feel like we lack a big, scary pinch-hitting bat, and/or someone that can play more than the middle of the field—SS, 2B, CF.
Dan
dtpollitt - March 9, 2009
Netherlands score first, lead Puerto Rico 1-0, top 2
This would be another HUGE upset.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
It may just be spring
But I think some people here may enjoy who Sir Dusty led off with today against the Phillies.
dmlichte - March 9, 2009
Haha
No doubt he makes that team. Probably starts opening day.
nji232 - March 9, 2009
Some people just don't get it.
How does that man have a job? Seriously!
dtpollitt - March 9, 2009
wow
sue369 - March 9, 2009
Dusty is only using him
because Neffi is still serving his suspension. Actually I like JJ but not in lead off.
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Oh, that's just insane.
Note, Jacque went 0-for-3 with 2 K’s.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
...
and is hitting .111 on the spring.
At least he’s not clogging up the bases, dude!
dmlichte - March 9, 2009
"Dr. Tightpants" LOL
That’s a keeper.
“Hey Paul Wilson, look out! Here comes Dr. Tightpants!”
Goodie1969 - March 9, 2009
Netherlands winning 1-0, last of 6th.
I’m hoping for the upset again.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Any updates on the game Al?
I’m trying to find it, but no ESPN Deportes
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
It's on the MLB Network.
1-0, top 7th, Netherlands have a runner on 1st with 1 out.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Also, there's a Gameday link on the top of this post.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Thanks
Just got the gameday up. What an upset this would be. Netherlands 2-0??? Great for the classic.
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
PR with bases loaded, 1 out, bottom 7
Still 1-0.
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Gotta get Vasquez before the Carlos's come up
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
What a fantastic game!
1-0 Netherlands, going to 8th
Al Yellon - March 9, 2009
Any cubs scouts at the game? :)
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
Great rub it in
I can’t see it. I HATE TIME WARNER Cable
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
its on espn deportes as well if you have it.
xene - March 9, 2009
Only a matter of time
PR scores 3 in the bottom of the 8th and lead 3-1
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
:O You beat me to it!
Nooblet - March 9, 2009
does dish network
have espn deportes?
laidbackliam - March 9, 2009
Runners on 1st and 2nd for PR
no outs bottom of 8
Lou In Blue - March 9, 2009
I have NO cable period
I WANT MY DISH BACK. I was seduced by the “triple play” I should have known triple plays are freak plays and not have trusted them.
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
I think you've broke the record for comments in a day
Yeah, I think you need your cable back.
DTJchris - March 9, 2009
My record ?
Probably. Not in the league of some others though ( unless I suppose there is a Maddux topic)
I am going stir crazy though. No job is one thing but no cable is unbearable.
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Finally
Feels nice to hav a Cubs win…but it’s only the beginning
chicagochamps2009 - March 9, 2009
Surprised, but..........
grateful that Al mentions Hoff in a semi-favorable manner. ST note: Soriano 6 k"s in 24 AB, 3 RBI, .167 BA, 3 R; Hoff 7 K’s in 37 AB, 9 RBI, .324, 7 R. Not bad for a 29 year old “rookie” vs. the 45 million $ man
Clutche - March 9, 2009
I would not brag too much
about having a better K rate than Soriano.
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Soriano's K's would go down if he batter behind the likes of Soto......
instead of lead off
Clutche - March 9, 2009
Perhaps you should mention that to Lou
Doggie Stalker - March 9, 2009
Me thinks Lou has heard it many times from others wiser than I..........
but God forbid he ruffle the feathers of the 45 million $ man
Clutche - March 9, 2009
I love how you ignore all facts that refute your opinions
Shanghai Badger - March 9, 2009
Kevin Gregg
Today’s line…1 IP, nothing, 1 K. Once again, I’m just saying, this guy isn’t a stiff.
krummy12 - March 9, 2009
No, he's not.
I just want him used in the proper role — which on this team, might be closer with Marmol working the tougher situations in the 7th/8th inning.
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
Corey Koskie...
… welcome to Cubs camp. Canada will not be moving on to the second round of the WBC.
dmlichte - March 9, 2009
But Alex Maestri
is going to be late to report!
Josh Timmers - March 9, 2009
ya...
… but I’d rather have Koskie in camp now. Maestri will be interesting to see develop but Koskie now comes to camp and, IMO, will get a lot of opportunities to prove himself. Koskie may be able to work himself into a key role on this club.
dmlichte - March 9, 2009
The St. Paul Pioneer Press
had a terrific article on Corey Koskie.
LINK
cowsarecool220 - March 9, 2009
That's an excellent article.
MLB and the Brewers really dropped the ball. (Why does this not surprise me?)
I hope he can conquer the very real fears he has and contribute to the Cubs this year. I’m sure Lou will give him lots of playing time.
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
I was joking/gloating
Maestri will get more work and attention on Team Italy than he likely will in Cubs Minor League Camp. His pitching coach for the Azzurri is Bill Holmberg, who is the scout who signed him for the Cubs.
Josh Timmers - March 9, 2009
Is the game on Thursday (Cubs VS Japan) on TV or Radio????
Can’t find it anywhere!
cubbiefan07 - March 9, 2009
Unfortunately, no, it's not.
We’ll all be following on Gameday.
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
5th starter
nothing was decided today; shark and gaudin both performed well. shark will prob spend the spring in iowa; gaudin: the pen. just logistics… but marshall & heilman? i just hope lets the drama continues to play itself out… and that lou keeps an open mind about it…
brian custer - March 9, 2009
I still think Heilman in the rotation, Marshall in the pen
That combo would give the Cubs a better bullpen situation. I’ll profess to being worried about our middle relief. Chad Gaudin needs to step up and become a big innings eater in 2009. Ditto Sean Marshall. The wildcard is going to be Luis Vizcaino.
Angel Guzman looks to be on the outside looking in at this stage.
BLou - March 10, 2009
zambrano dempster harden lilly
marshall gaudin heilmann
marmol gregg
cotts vizcaino guzman
shark and ascanio to the minors
patton and who else jockeying for spot if anyone is injured or viz gets purged
tim815 - March 10, 2009
I think Patton goes back to the Rockies, unless...
…. the Cubs can make a deal to keep him and send him to Iowa
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
Canada is finished.
Ouch. Didn’t see that coming. Only scoring 2 runs against the likes of Dan Serafini and Jason Grilli? Not the way the hosts of one of the pools wanted to go out.
Vince Perkins – you had a chance to show the Cubs something last night, and failed miserably. Same old, same old for Vince. Good stuff, no command. Maybe he can help fill the roster at AA or AAA. That’s about it.
I’m calling US & Japan final, which would be pretty entertaining. I’ll be watching Kosuke to see if there’s a glimmer of the hitter we saw last April & May. Hoping, anyway…
Canadian Cubs Fan - March 10, 2009
Just to throw this in...
How can you say Fontenot was a throw-in in the Sosa trade? He was drafted in the first round. Did you see his performance in the College World Series? He was a BEAST!! If we’re looking for throw-ins in that trade, look no further than Dave Crouthers.
And yes, I am 5’8" and 160 lbs., so Fontenot gives me hope of one day making the Cub’s roster.
14theofleury - March 10, 2009
Yes, he was drafted in the first round.
But the guy Dusty wanted was Jerry Hairston.
Incidentally, how do the Hairston brothers qualify to play for Mexico?
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
Their mom is Mexican.
Nooblet - March 10, 2009
That's what I thought.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
Corey Koskie could become a fine pickup
We’ll have to wait and see, but I would relish the thought of getting resemblance of the Koskie I remember from Minnesota and seeing him grab playing time at 1st base. With all due respect to Derrek Lee it is my belief that he should no longer be playing 150 games. Koskie “could” be a nice shot in the arm for this team and really round out the bench nicely.
BLou - March 10, 2009
Scary.
I find myself agreeing with all of this.
Al Yellon - March 10, 2009
+1
Cubbie-Tim - March 10, 2009
Figures...
We finish a 4-day, 3 game ST trip with a WGN Radio tour (where the Cubs lose all 3 games in very listless style) and NOW they decide to play with a little life.
The weather was nice though.
Zeke - March 10, 2009
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