SB Nation - Jeff Stevens

Cubs, Gorzelanny Lose Ugly To Diamondbacks, 12-3

Al — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:05:49 -0000

"Oh, brother," says Gorz, "I should have asked to start last night."

If you missed the FanShot I posted, the Cubs announced this afternoon the policy for refunds for yesterday's rainout:

All paid tickets for the Oct. 1 game are eligible for a refund. Refunds are available by sending the tickets to the Wrigley Field Ticket Office at 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL, 60613. All refunds must be requested before Dec. 31, 2009. Tickets will not be eligible for exchange for 2010 or any future seasons.

Refunds will be made by check. Please allow four weeks for delivery. The original purchaser of the ticket or tickets will receive a refund to his/her credit card instead of a check if that was the original method of payment.

Also, word around the ballpark today was that the reason the umpires waited so long to call last night's game was some sort of edict that had come to teams from the MLB offices that they wanted "all games" to be played this season if at all possible. Only a call directly from Bud Selig finally got the game to be cancelled.

That's about the only good news I can bring you from Wrigley Field today; certainly, the Cubs' depressing 12-3 loss to the Diamondbacks didn't have any. Tom Gorzelanny got hit, in fine Chicago fashion, early and often; Chris Young, who seems to have hit about half of his career homers against the Cubs (in reality, only five of 70), smashed a ball that the wind carried onto Waveland with two runners on in the first inning. By the time Rusty Ryal hit a three-run double off Gorzelanny in the fourth, it was 7-0 and if the umpires or the MLB offices had had any sympathy for the (approximately) 15,000 who showed up today (tickets sold: 33,786), they'd have called it after the fifth inning with the score still 7-0 and the Cubs with only three singles.

Instead, a parade of five Cub relievers gave the visitors from Arizona (who had some very chilly-looking fans wearing their garb walking around outside Wrigley this morning) five more runs. Only Justin Berg, who threw two very nice innings, and John Grabow, who struck out two in a scoreless frame of his own, pitched well. I can't imagine we'll see Jeff Stevens back next year -- he got hit hard -- nor should David Patton, a waste of a roster spot, return in 2010. Aaron Heilman, who had actually gotten his season ERA under 4 (3.97) before today's game, gave up a HR to Eric Byrnes, his second of the game, a two-run shot, and Heilman's (perhaps) farewell to Cubs fans shows him with a season ERA of 4.16. I like Berg, incidentally, a lot, and I think he will be a significant contributor to the 2010 bullpen in middle relief.

The Cubs managed three consolation runs off Billy Buckner and reliever Blaine Boyer in the seventh, but that was all on a day when some off-and-on showers that didn't even show up on radar screens dotted the ballpark. It seemed a fitting way to say farewell to a rainy season. Rain may dot the area tomorrow, so be prepared for another postponement. It'd somehow feel appropriate.

Reds lose at least five in a row for the fourth time since the All-Star break. Cubs win, 6-4.

Brendanukkah — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:44:06 -0000

by Jim Prisching - AP

The Reds failed to bring in the squirrel from third base with less than two outs. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

View full size photo »

Sure, I could tell you about Jonny Gomes's home run, or noted Reds-killer Aramis Ramirez's three hits, or Brandon Phillips trade bait Jeff Stevens getting the win. But the Reds lost, nobody around here watched it, and OMG THERE'S A SQUIRREL ON THE BASEPATHS!

via FanGraphs

Other Notes

The Cubs wore dumb red hats.
Fuck Osama bin Laden.

Final - 9.11.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati Reds	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	4	6	0
Chicago Cubs	0	1	2	1	1	0	0	1	X	6	7	0
WP: Jeff Stevens (1 - 0) SV: Carlos Marmol (12) LP: Justin Lehr (4 - 2)

Complete Coverage >

Winning Streak At Four: Cubs Defeat Reds 6-4 Despite Harden's Struggles

Al — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:53:04 -0000

by Jim Prisching - AP

Throw strikes, please. And the red caps? Um, nope.

View full size photo »

Summer arrived at Wrigley Field today, a couple of months late. Didn't anyone tell the weather folks that this is the weather we should have had in July?

Rich Harden apparently wanted to make summer last forever, as he threw an alarming 103 pitches in four innings before Lou had seen enough and sent Aaron Miles up to bat for him in the last of the fourth. Miles actually saw four pitches before grounding to second. (Harden probably could have done that, and then been lifted anyway.) It got so bad with Harden's lack of control that Lou actually had David Patton warming up in the first inning, despite the fact that Harden hadn't allowed a hit. Instead, Harden had walked the bases loaded and thrown 39 pitches to get the first three outs.

Thankfully, the Cubs had enough offense off Justin Lehr, who had shut them out in Cincinnati in August. Aramis Ramirez drove in three runs -- he now has 54 RBI, and with two more will move into second place on the 2009 Cub team list behind Derrek Lee. Think about that. 56 RBI is 2nd on the team, and Ramirez has about half the at-bats of the people he's passing. That's how difficult offense has been to come by at times for this team. Geovany Soto homered -- his first since August 10 -- and the Cubs hung on for a 6-4 win. Their playoff hopes with 23 games remaining and an 8.5 game deficit may be very slim (0.7% by Baseball Prospectus' estimate), but all you can do is go out there every day and win your game and see what happens.

Lou apparently decided to use the middle innings, with the Cubs leading 4-1 after Soto's homer, to audition pitchers for next year's bullpen. Perhaps we can cross Jeff Stevens off the list. Stevens gave up two singles and a three-run homer to Jonny Gomes, tying the game. For that performance, Stevens got his first major league win, because he was the pitcher of record when Kosuke Fukudome walked for the second time in the game, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Ramirez's single. This is proof positive that wins for relief pitchers are virtually meaningless. The official scorer does have the discretion to award the victory to someone other than the pitcher of record if he pitches "briefly and ineffectively", as the official rules state. Today was a perfect example of a game where that could have been the case. Aaron Heilman -- who's actually thrown better lately -- came in after Stevens and threw two shutdown innings, striking out the side in the seventh and throwing 22 strikes in his 34 pitches. Heilman deserved the win.

Also auditioning for next year was Esmailin Caridad, who has a good arm and also threw a good scoreless inning. He needs to develop a breaking pitch; perhaps the Cubs will send him to winter ball so he can work on one. Caridad, who will be 26 next month, could be an important part of the 2010 bullpen.

Carlos Marmol will definitely be the anchor of that pen -- it appears he has finally settled down now that he's been officially named closer. Despite a walk and single (which wouldn't have been a single if Andres Blanco had been inserted for defense in the 9th, as Koyie Hill was), Marmol stayed within himself and finished off the Reds for his 12th save.

As I said -- the chances are slim. But the Cubs are setting themselves up to have one of the better Septembers in recent memory; they're 7-3 and riding a four-game winning streak. Let's keep riding it. Keep the faith and go Cubs.

Keep The Winning Streak Going: Cubs vs. Reds Preview, Friday 9/11, 1:20 CT

Al — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:30:26 -0000

by Gene J. Puskar - AP

May there be many scenes like this today -- Cubs runners scoring.

View full size photo »

Since the Cubs last faced the Reds in Cincinnati on August 5, the Reds are 17-16. That sounds decent, but they have been an extremely streaky team. Starting on August 14, the Reds: lost five straight, then won one, lost two, won five, lost two, won seven, and lost four, their current streak (a four-game sweep at the hands of the Rockies). The seven-game winning streak -- two games longer than the Cubs' longest of the year -- includes a four-game sweep of the Pirates.

So, it should be time for the Cubs to extend that four-game Cincinnati losing streak to seven, to match their previous win streak. (And give the Cubs their longest winning streak of the year, too.)

Bruce Miles today tackles three topics we've discussed here at length recently: the futures of Jeff Baker, Milton Bradley and Carlos Marmol. Bruce correctly sums up what Jim and Lou did to ruin this year's bullpen (and without even mentioning Kevin Gregg):

If Jim Hendry is guilty of anything over the years when it comes to his bullpen, it's overthinking things and overpaying for veteran arms. Field manager Lou Piniella had a hand in things last off-season, when he basically ran Michael Wuertz out of town and Hendry traded for old favorite Aaron Heilman.

Wuertz, for whom the Cubs have nothing to show, is 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a tidy WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) of 1.01 with Oakland. Heilman is 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

For next season, the Cubs ought to focus within. Keep Marmol the closer, let Angel Guzman set up and re-sign lefty John Grabow, who has been effective since his trade from Pittsburgh. Promote from within, and you might get the job done at a fraction of what it has cost the Cubs over the years for mediocrity and worse.

Beyond Guzman, Grabow and Marmol, the Cubs have a large number of good arms at Triple-A, many of whom we've seen this year (Justin Berg, Jeff Stevens, Esmailin Caridad) and at least two we haven't, but who will be in the Arizona Fall League (Andrew Cashner, John Gaub). AFL players are often on the fast track to the majors. It seems to me that you could put together a pretty decent major league bullpen out of some of those arms, rather than overpaying for mediocre veteran middle relievers. And closers, too; Gregg joins a long list of failed veteran acquired closers for the Cubs (Dave Smith, Doug Jones, Mel Rojas -- need I go on?).

Today's Starting Pitchers


Rich Harden Cubs	vs.	Justin Lehr Reds

9-8	W-L	4-1
4.10	ERA	4.43
162	SO	16
59	BB	19
23	HR	5
vs. Cin	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Rich Harden	9-8	25	24	0	0	0	0	134.0	115	68	61	23	59	162	4.10	1.30

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Justin Lehr	4-1	7	7	1	1	0	0	44.2	46	22	22	5	19	16	4.43	1.46

Today's game is a rematch of the August 5 game in Cincinnati where the Cubs failed to show up. Oh, they were there in body, but let Justin Lehr throw a four-hit shutout. Since then Lehr has been -- not so good, going 3-1 in five starts, but with a 5.58 ERA. That's the guy the Cubs need to pound today. He's walked 19 and struck out 16 in 44.2 innings, so patience at the plate today should help.

Rich Harden threw well enough on August 5 -- two earned runs in six innings. Playing at Wrigley, where the Cubs swept the Reds in July, should help. Harden threw one of those games, on July 26, allowing the Reds only one hit in six innings, a solo HR by Joey Votto. That's the only career hit Votto has had off Harden in 10 AB.

TV today is WGN, plus FSN Ohio (which means EI viewers get to hear the Brennamans. Turn the sound off). For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

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Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter.

Once again, just two overflow threads today -- 2:30 and 3:30 pm CDT. If there's a need for another one, please post as a FanShot.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Cubs September Callups Announced

Al — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:02:01 -0000

More photos » by Paul Beaty - AP

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There will be eight players added to the Cubs' active roster over the next several days, now that the September 1 roster-expansion date has arrived.

Gordon Wittenmyer has the list, and all eight have been major league Cubs at one time or another already during 2009:

The Cubs plan to recall outfielder Micah Hoffpauir and right-hander Justin Berg from Class AAA Iowa and reinstate infielder Andres Blanco from the disabled list when rosters expand today.

Right-hander David Patton is expected to rejoin the active roster from the DL on Wednesday, and four more I-Cubs are to be recalled as the Class AAA season winds down: infielder Bobby Scales and right-handed pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Jeff Stevens and Esmailin Caridad.

I'd quibble with Gordo's description of Hoffpauir as an "outfielder", but the activation of Andres Blanco is good news. It means that we have likely seen the last of Aaron Miles in any games this year, unless some upcoming game goes deep into extra innings. As Josh tweeted yesterday, Hoffpauir is now the Iowa Cubs' all-time career RBI leader (281 RBI). This isn't necessarily a positive thing; it likely means a player has spent way too much time in the minor leagues. Also, with Jason Dubois swapped to the Mets and, as also noted in Josh's tweet, Chris Robinson leaving Iowa for the Canadian national team, Jake Fox is likely to be the Iowa team leader in RBI this season with 53, despite playing only 45 games there. (Not to mention that Fox is also tied for sixth on the major league Cubs with 39 RBI.)

Try to enjoy the rest of the season.

The Cubs Will Break A Major League Record Today: Cubs vs. Mets Preview, Saturday 8/29, 3:10 CT

Al — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:00:11 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Just what did Carlos whisper in Geo's ear when this photo was taken?

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That got your attention. The Cubs will break a record when they get their first hit off the Mets' Bobby Parnell this afternoon.

You're still wondering what this is all about. Let me explain.

On September 20, 1958, Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm threw a no-hitter against the Yankees, while pitching for the Orioles. The Yankees then went 6,980 games without being no-hit, until six Astros pitchers no-hit them on June 11, 2003, about 44 1/2 years' worth of games.

The last time the Cubs were no-hit was Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, 1965, a little less than 44 years ago. Through yesterday, the Cubs had completed 6,980 games without being no-hit. Thus, when the Cubs get their first hit this afternoon, they'll break that record. Thanks to SABR member Madison McEntire for the research and confirming to me the exact date of this record-breaking event.

The other big issue to discuss this morning is: where are Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman going to finish the year? Both have been claimed on waivers, Harden by the Twins, and Heilman by the Giants. (Ironic -- Heilman was brought in, at least in part, to replace Bob Howry, who was signed by the Giants. Now, they could become teammates, and further, the Cubs could wind up facing Heilman in San Francisco in September.) My feeling is: let Heilman go -- he's not likely to be back next year and the Cubs could easily replace him with Jeff Stevens or Justin Berg, for now. As for Harden, if the Cubs keep him and he then leaves as a free agent (presuming arbitration is offered, which it likely would be), he would net the Cubs two draft picks. Jim Hendry thus has to find out whether he can get two prospects from the Twins who would be worth more to the organization than the draft picks. If so, let him go -- because you could then re-sign Harden anyway as a free agent.

We'll know the results by Monday, the last day a player can be traded to a new team and still qualify for postseason play.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ryan Dempster Cubs	vs.	Bobby Parnell Mets

7-7	W-L	3-6
4.07	ERA	5.08
122	SO	50
54	BB	30
18	HR	5
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ryan Dempster	7-7	23	23	0	0	0	0	143.2	141	75	65	18	54	122	4.07	1.36

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Bobby Parnell	3-6	58	4	0	0	1	4	62.0	71	37	35	5	30	50	5.08	1.63

Bobby Parnell was supposed to be a mainstay of the Mets' bullpen this year. He was doing a pretty good job of it till mid-June, when he started to get pounded; in 25 relief appearances between June 10 and August 5, he put up a 5.56 relief ERA. Then, due to injuries, he wound up in the Mets' rotation; he is 1-3 in four starts with an even worse 8.82 ERA. He made two relief appearances vs. the Cubs last September; no current Cub has more than two AB against him.

Ryan Dempster's career numbers vs. the Mets aren't too good -- 8-4, but with a 5.54 ERA, in 23 lifetime appearances (12 starts). However, all of those starts were in his previous incarnation as a starter with the Marlins and Reds -- he didn't start vs. the Mets last year. Most of the Mets who hit him well (Carlos Beltran, David Wright) are on the DL.

The Cubs and Mets are on Fox-TV today. Surprisingly, this game is being considered Fox's "A" game. The list of markets is too long to post here; click here to see if the game is on in your city. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

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Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin' Avenue.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 4:15 pm, 5:15 pm and 6 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 28

Josh77 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:59:54 -0000

Believe it or not, the D-Cubs threw another no-hitter tonight, less than two weeks after the last one. It was another one of the seven-inning no-nos.

Generally good news from the farm tonight, although Brett Jackson went on the DL with a sore right wrist.

Iowa Cubs (69-65)

The Iowa Cubs moved into second place with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Jeff Samardzija dominated tonight for six shutout innings tonight. He gave up only three singles and one walk. The Shark struck out six.

Jeff Stevens threw two perfect innings of relief, striking out three.

The I-Cubs were paced tonight by a pair of solo home runs. The first as a third-inning shot by right fielder Brad Snyder, his 14th on the season. Snyder was 1 for 3 with a walk overall. The second one was an insurance run in the eighth inning by DH Matt Craig. It was his fourth home run for Iowa, seventh in the PCL and 11th overall. Craig was 2 for 4 on the night with two runs scored.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with two stolen bases. Barney had one RBI and scored once. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Iowa Cubs are two games behind the Memphis Redbirds in the standings with ten games to play. They have no games left with Memphis, however.

Tennessee Smokies (33-28)

The Smokies late-inning heroics just keep on coming. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Mobile Bay Bears, 3-2 and move back into a tie for first place.

Starter Chris Carpenter allowed one run on five hits in his six inning start. He didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

David Cales got the win with two innings of relief. Cales gave up two hits and a walk, but didn't allow any runs. He did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin had the big blow, an RBI double that tied the score in the two-run ninth. He later scored the winning run on Doug Deeds' pinch-hit single. Colvin was 1 for 4.

Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4. Catcher Welington Castillo went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs (27-33)

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header tonight, losing the first game, 3-2 in nine innings and winning the second game, 3-0 as the D-Cubs staff tossed their second seven-inning no-hitter in less than two weeks.

In the first game, Ryan Searle started and allowed two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. Searle walked one and struck out six.

Chris Siegfried pitched the ninth inning and took the loss, allowing a run on two hits. He struck out one.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jake Opitz and center fielder Tony Campana were both 2 for 4.

The no-hitter was in the second game, as starter Oswaldo Martinez pitched the first four innings, walking two and striking out one. Martinez has now pitched in four games since signing out of the Mexican League: two of those games were no-hitters. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in his Cub debut on August 15.

Mike Perconte finished the no-no and got the win since Martinez didn't go five innings. Perconte walked one and fanned three.

Jake Opitz was the DH for the second game and was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (37-23)

The Peoria Chiefs were knocked on their ears by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 8-3.

Justin Bristow started but only lasted two innings. He allowed three runs on four hits. Bristow walked four and struck out two.

Jeff Beliveau pitched much better in relief, but got the loss anyway. Beliveau allowed one run over his four innings of relief. He surrendered five hits. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out four.

Center fielder David Macias had a two-run double in a 1 for 4 game. The Chiefs did not have a hit after the second inning tonight.

Boise Hawks (30-37)

The Hawks were officially eliminated from the playoffs tonight with a 7-2 loss to the Spokane Indians.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss. He went four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha hit his second home run in the second inning. The solo shot was his only hit in a 1 for 4 game. Shortstop George Matheus went 2 for 5 with a double.

AZL Cubs (13-15, 29-27 overall)

Beat the Brewers, 3-0.

The rookie league team's season is now over.

Cubs Minor League Wrap - August 19

Josh77 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:19:50 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

Bill Murray went to the Cubs/Padres game tonight, since the Chiefs had the day off.

Browse more photos »

Iowa Cubs (63-61)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Portland Beaver, 10-9 in 13 innings.

A long time ago, Mitch Atkins started this game and he got knocked around for six runs in only four innings. Atkins surrendered six hits and three walks. He struck out four.

Jeff Stevens and Justin Berg each threw two shutout innings before Blake Parker entered the game in the 13th and allowed the winning run. Parker was credited with a third of an inning pitched, and he gave up one run on three hits and an intentional walk. Parker struck out one.

Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 4 with a double and two walks. Robinson had four RBI tonight and he scored once himself. First baseman Matt Craig hit two doubles and walked once in a 3 for 6 night. Craig scored twice and had two RBI.

Right fielder Micah Hoffpauir went 2 for 5 with two walks. Hoffpauir also had two RBI and scored twice. Finally, shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies (28-25)

The Smokies pushed two runs across in the bottom of the ninth inning to blindside the Chattanooga Lookouts, 5-4. It was their fifth win in a row and moved them into a tie for first place in their division.

Starter Andrew Cashner had a few troubles tonight, as he allowed three runs on five hits in only four innings. He walked two. The good news was that he struck out six.

Marco Carrillo pitched the top of the ninth and got the win. He gave up one hit, didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin stayed hot tonight, going 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Colvin is hitting .383 in August.

First baseman Russ Canzler went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Robinson Chirinos was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

Rained out.

Peoria Chiefs

Did not play

Boise Hawks (27-31)

The Hawks beat the Spokane Indians, 1-0.

Robert Hernandez was excellent tonight, throwing six innings and allowing four hits and a walk. Dionis Nunez pitched the ninth inning and got his fifth save. He allowed only one hit and struck out one.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 12

Josh77 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:24:46 -0000

You know it's bad when I decide to mow the lawn in the middle of a Cubs game.

But I do have some good news coming from the minors, especially Peoria. So let's shake up the lineup and put the Chiefs in the leadoff spot tonight. That way the people who don't read beyond the fold have something to smile about.

For the Smokies, D-Cubs and Chiefs, the numbers are their second half record. For the I-Cubs and Hawks, it's for the entire season.

Peoria Chiefs (26-19)

The Chiefs ripped the Burlington Bees, 11-1.

Here's the news you all want to hear: Ted Lilly threw five shutout innings. He gave up only two hits. He walked one and struck out two. After the game, Lilly said:

"Everything felt good," said Lilly. "I was glad I was able to do this as opposed to a simulated game. I'm glad I was given the chance to play with these guys. You can feed off their energy. It was definitely motivating."

Austin Biebens-Dirkx got his first save by pitching the final four innings. He gave up one run in the ninth inning, but otherwise gave up four hits, walked only one and struck out four.

Center fielder Brett Jackson hit two home runs tonight: A three-run home run in the fifth and a solo shot in the eighth. Jackson was 3 for 4 with a walk. He scored three times and had the four RBI.

DH Rebel RIdling also homered tonight, his 14th on the season. Ridling went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and the one RBI.

Shortstop DJ LeMahieu went 3 for 5. Catcher Michael Brenly went 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. I'm sure his dad would like me to mention that he caught a couple of very good pitching performances as well.

Iowa Cubs (60-58)

The Iowa Cubs turned their ray guns on the Las Vegas 51s, 5-4.

(Boy, it's going to stink if they go back to being the Las Vegas Stars next year.)

Starter Casey Fossum allowed three runs over six innings for the textbook quality start. He gave up seven hits, only walked one and struck out seven.

Jeff Stevens got the win in relief, despite allowing a run on three hits over 1.2 innings. Stevens struck out one and didn't walk a batter. Blake Parker shut them out the rest of the way for save number fourteen. Parker allowed one hit in the 1.1 innings. He didn't walk or strike out anyone.

Catcher Chris Robinson was the hitting star, going 4 for 4 with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Robinson had three RBI total.

Shortstop Andres Blanco was 3 for 5 with a double and run scored in what I guess is technically a rehab appearance.

Tennessee Smokies (23-24)

The Smokies were outshined by the Jacksonville Suns, 4-3.

Jeremy Papelbon started and took the loss. He went six innings and also gave up the QS three runs. He gave up four hits, two of which were home runs. Papelbon walked one and struck out three.

Right fielder Doug Deeds went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Daytona Cubs (18-26)

The D-Cubs were shut out by the Tampa Yankees, 6-0.

Starter Rafael Dolis took the loss, giving up two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings. He walked one and fanned one.

The D-Cubs still can't hit.

Boise Hawks (22-30)

The Hawks made five errors and were tossed in the wash by the Everett Aqua Sox, 6-2.

Starter Christopher Rusin allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four.

Center fielder Burundi Davis went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee made three of the five Hawk errors. He was 0 for 3 with a sac bunt at the plate.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Athletics, 10-8.

Esmailin Caridad Added To Cubs' 40-Man Roster, Recalled; Jeff Stevens Returned To Iowa

Al — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:46:47 -0000

Well, this came out of the proverbial left field. From the press release:

The Chicago Cubs today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Esmailin Caridad from Triple-A Iowa. To make room for Caridad on the roster, the Cubs optioned right-handed pitcher Jeff Stevens to Triple-A.

Caridad, who will wear uniform number 33, joins the first major league roster of his career and is available for tonight’s game in Colorado.

The 25-year-old Caridad is 5-10 with a 4.15 ERA (58 ER/125.2 IP) in 23 starts with Iowa this season, including a 1-1 record with a 2.74 ERA (7 ER/23.0 IP) in his last four starts. He was a non-roster invitee to Cubs spring training in 2009, posting no record and a 0.00 ERA (6.0 IP) in six Cactus League relief appearances.