Results tagged ‘ Alfonso Soriano ’
Cubs Collapse Late Against Brewers
For whatever reason the Cubs can’t solve the Brewers, they not only lose to the Brewers, they get blown out by them. The Cubs raced to an early 3-1 lead last night but couldn’t hold it as Aramis Ramirez and company pushed across three runs in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead. 
A Brett Jackson home run in the bottom of the sixth made it 5-4 Brewers, but that was as close as the Cubs would get as the bullpen exploded late. After giving up one run in the 8th the Cubs pen put on a show in the ninth surrendering nine runs on eight hits. The best performance on the mound in the ninth inning belonged to Cubs utility outfielder Joe Mather who tossed one-third of an inning giving up only a single. No word yet if Mather will have a shot to make the team next year out of the bullpen It was more of the same for the Cubs at the plate against Brewers pitching. By more of the same I mean striking out, a lot, as the Cubs fanned 15 times last night, this coming on the heels of striking out 39 times in the three game series in Milwaukee last week. As I mentioned Brett Jackson went deep, he is locked in right now, he finished the night 1-for-3 with his fourth home run, two walks, an RBI, and a run scored.
Game Highlights:
DeJesus Adventure
Castro Turns a Nice Double Play
Jackson Solo Shot
Soriano’s RBI Double
Thanks for reading,
- George
Rockies Return the Favor, Rally to Beat Cubs
One day after the Cubs rallied from a three run deficit to win the Rockies did the same thing. The Cubs built a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning only to see the Rockies get two right back in the fifth. The Rockies didn’t stop there as they scored single runs in the 6th and 7th to take a 4-3 lead. 
The Rockies bullpen took it from there as they tossed five shutout innings to shut down the Cubs to even the series at one. Brooks Raley was in line for the win before the Cubs pen blew a one run lead. Raley finished his day after five innings giving up two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out four. The Cubs looked poised to put up big offensive numbers today after scoring three times in the fourth inning, but they could only manage one hit over the final five innings. Brett Jackson is really turning it on at the plate, he was 2-for-3 today with his 3rd home run of the season, a double, a walk, and two RBI’s. Anthony Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano, and Starlin Castro were the only other Cubs to record a hit in the loss, all singles. The Cubs ran themselves out of two innings as Joe Mather and Starlin Castro were caught stealing in big spots.
Game Highlights:
Jackson’s Two Run Blast
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Beat Themselves in Rusin’s Debut
It doesn’t get weirder than that one, neither team could generate any offense, but somehow the Brewers managed to score five runs on three hits. The Cubs weren’t any better as they were only able to manage four hits on 
the night on their way to a 5-2 defeat. Chris Rusin made his major league debut and was very good, unfortunately he didn’t get any help from his offense and ended up taking the loss. Rusin went five innings giving up one run on one hit while walking two, hitting two guys, and striking out four. The Brewers “big” inning against Rusin was the fourth, they pushed across a run on one hit thanks to two hit batters and a walk. Rusin got Lucroy to ground into a double play with the bases loaded and one out to avoid any further damage. The Brewers broke it open in the 6th when Alberto Cabrera walked three guys then gave up one hit, all three guys scored, and it was all but over after that. The Cubs were able to score twice in the ninth inning but it was too little too late. Alfsonso Soriano had a solid day at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, he is now hitting .263 on the season with 76 RBI’s. The Cubs look to avoid the sweep this afternoon in Milwaukee as Travis Wood takes the mound against Yovanni Gallardo.
Game Highlights:
Chris Rusin’s Major League Debut
Castro’s RBI Groundout
Soriano’s RBI Single
Rusin’s First Career Hit…a Triple
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Put Up a Fight, Sorta, But Fall Short
It was an uphill battle all day long for the Cubs, they were battling not only the Reds but themselves for the better part of the game. Mentally the Cubs were out of it again, Soriano was making base running errors, mental errors in the field, and Luis Valbuena had a 
great time watching the game on the bases instead of actually playing it. With all of that the Cubs were able to erase a 4-1 deficit to tie the game at four in the eighth inning, and made things interesting in the ninth. Brett Jackson somehow managed to hit a double off of all world closer Aroldis Chapman, but was then caught stealing third with one out, that would be something the Cubs would do today, nothing was going right. So you can guessed what happened next, before you could blink the Reds led off the ninth with a triple and two pitches later the game was over with the Reds winning 5-4. Chris Volstad got the start today, and he did an adequate job, not horrible, not terrific, something in the middle, and that’s okay from Volstad. He went six innings giving up four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out four, if he gets hit I’m fine with it, he needs to avoid the walks and he did that today. David DeJesus led the offensive attack once again going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored in the loss. The Cubs only had seven hits but they were able to push across four runs as they were 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs travel to Milwaukee to start a three game series tomorrow night.
Game Highlights:
Castro’s RBI Single
DeJesus’ RBI Double
Soriano’s Sac Fly
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Rally to End 8 Game Losing Streak
For whatever reason the Cubs are a much different team at home than on the road. It’s obvious given the record at home and on the road, but I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about their overall game. Tonight for example, they got behind early, and there was no panic, no giving up at bats, no mindless baseball. It really is like night at day, I hope that they can build on this at home and the road success comes with experience. Chris 
got the start tonight, okay I know what you are thinking, impossible, how could Volstad pitch AND the Cubs win the game. It happened folks, and Volstad played a big role, but did not earn a decision so he remains win less this year, and has not registered a win in over a calendar year. Volstad went six strong innings giving up three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four. The Cubs trailed 3-1 into the sixth inning before tying it up on a Starlin Castro ringing double that just missed leaving the yard for what would have been a three run homer to take the lead. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the eighth when Alfonso Soriano connected on his 20th home run of the season to put the Cubs up for good 5-3. Soriano now has 20 home runs in eleven straight years, quite the accomplishment. Anthony Rizzo had a great night at the plate as he was seeing the ball well all game, he finished 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and RBI, and two runs scored. Shawn Camp pitched a scoreless inning in relief for his 3rd win of the season and Carlos Marmol closed the door for his 14th save of the year. So long losing streak, full box score and highlights after the jump.
Jackson Impresses in Debut; Bullpen Fails Cubs
It was an exciting day to be a Cubs fan until the bullpen entered the game and the reality of being in the early stages of rebuilding slapped us all across the face. Nevertheless, it was an important day for the Cubs organization and the fans as the future became a little clearer. Top prospects Brett Jackson, and Josh Vitters were called up before the game, and both Jackson and Anthony Rizzo played large roles in the game today.
It was a pitchers duel through five innings today as the Cubs and Dodgers were deadlocked at one, that’s when things got crazy. After the Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 6th the Dodgers pushed across three in the bottom half to take a 4-2 lead thanks to the Cubs bullpen, and their inability to throw strikes. Normally that would signal the end for the Cubs but they stormed back in the top of the 7th, scoring three times, Alfonso Soriano came through with a big two out double to score two of those runs to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Once again, the Cubs bullpen couldn’t preserve the lead as the Dodgers jumped right back on top in the bottom of the 7th, scoring twice after having nobody on and two outs. The Dodgers clung to a one run lead into the ninth as Kenley Jansen took the mound, Jansen has been nearly un-hittable this year, don’t tell that to Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo lead the ninth off with a towering solo shot to tie the game at six, his ninth home run of the season, and third RBI of the game. Shawn Camp came on in the ninth to get this game to extra’s but he doesn’t really have an arm left and it showed again as he allowed the Dodgers to string together a couple hits after a lead-off walk to win this one 7-6. All in all it was an exciting yet excruciating day for Cubs fans, probably more of these on the way, but at least there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Volstad Outstanding, But Kershaw Better
If I would have told you that Chris Volstad would only give up two runs tonight you would probably think that the Cubs would win, who am I kidding, I mean lose by less than you originally thought. That’s exactly what happened as Volstad was outstanding, unfortunately the Cubs could not get anything going against Kershaw and fell to the Dodgers 3-1. Volstad who is trying to make a great third impression on the Cubs organization tossed seven strong innings giving up two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out three. The loss is Volstad’s eighth of the season and extends his winless streak to 21 straight starts. For the fourth straight game the Cubs offense was listless at best, resembling the May and June Cubs offense. Kershaw held the Cubs to three hits over his seven stellar innings of work, and the Dodgers bullpen was spotless. Darwin Barney, Alfsonso Soriano, and Welington Castillo were the only Cubs to get hits in the loss. The Cubs look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon against newly acquired Joe Blanton, something tells me he will resemble Cy Young more than Joe Blanton. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Cubs Offense Too Little Too Late as Pirates Take the Series
After scoring 14 runs in the series opener and rolling over the Pirates the Cubs offense disappeared over the last two games. Last night they just barely avoided being no-hit, and today they were shut down for eight innings by Jeff Karstens before rallying in the ninth only to fall short and drop the rubber game to the Pirates 8-4. Travis Wood got the start for the Cubs and was much better than his last few starts, hard to be much worse I guess, but still. Wood worked five innings giving up two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six. The game stayed close into the eighth, that’s where Shawn Camp’s arm fell off. Okay, he’s not hurt, but he finally had a bad outing, I guess he was due because that never happens. Camp didn’t retire a batter and gave up five runs on seven hits, if you’re going to be bad, be epic bad, it happens. The bright spot in the mess of an eight inning was Alberto Cabrera who was called up today and made his major league debut. Cabrera was electric, working one inning and striking out two hitters, it’s only one outing but it’s a glimpse into the future as Cabrera sets up to be a serviceable major league bullpen arm. Starlin Castro was the lone offense early as he blasted his 11th home run of the season in the first inning, a career high, he finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate. Alfonso Soriano, Jeff Baker, and Bryan LaHair all had two hits in the loss, unfortunately the Cubs couldn’t get the big hit when they needed it early in the game. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Countdown to the Deadline: Talks Picking Up, Sort Of
Just two weeks ago it seemed that the Cubs would have made a few deals by July 30th, well here we sit, on July 30th and nothing has been done. I attribute this to the whole Dempster saga, if he accepts the Braves deal then I think the Cubs would have made a few more moves by now. But because he declined, at least for now, the Cubs sit in a holding pattern. Here are some of the latest trade rumors involving the Cubs.
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Andy Martino is reporting that the Mets have had discussions with the Cubs about Geovany Soto. Odds are a deal doesn’t get done here, but it is nice to see 
somebody asking about Soto. If the Cubs could move him for anything more than a Manny Alexander life-size cardboard cutout we should all be grateful.
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Ken Rosenthal weighed in with some thoughts about the increase in demand for starting pitching, and how it relates to Garza. Even with the news of Garza not starting again until after the deadline team keep calling on him. What teams are looking for her obviously is a discounted rate for Garza, the Cubs aren’t budging. For that reason Rosenthal and a number of sources believe that a Garza deal during the 2012 season before the deadline is “doubtful” but not out of the question. Because the Cubs and Garza have not talked contract extension since the Spring it is believed that the Cubs will move him in the Winter.
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Danny Knobler is reporting that the Dodgers and Cubs are at an impasse on Dempster. If I had to guess I thing each team is waiting for the other to cave and accept a deal to just make a deal. Because of the this the Braves have been keeping an eye on the situation and might be ready to start-up talks again with the Cubs for Dempster. Per Knobler, people in the game expect Atlanta to get involved with Dempster again.
Yesterday afternoon Peter Gammons was on MLB Network and was very candid about what the Dodgers need to do, and the #1 thing he said the Dodgers needed to do was trade for Dempster. He said that they should do whatever it takes to land Dempster because he could be the difference for them. Let’s hope he’s right.
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An interesting rumor popped up over the weekend, Ken Rosenthal suggests that Alfonso Soriano’s name has come up in the Dempster to the Dodgers talks. The Cubs were rumored to add Soriano to a potential deal to the Dodgers to get a better prospect in return, but nothing has come out of those talks, yet. Rosenthal adds that if the Cubs can’t find a deal before the deadline they would look to deal Soriano in the off-season where they might get a better return.
Things are going to get pretty crazy here as the deadline is only 31 hours away, keep checking back for the latest updates, and maybe a couple trades to announce as well.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Catch Cards By Surprise, Even Series
If you only watched the first inning today you probably thought that the Cubs and Cards went toe-to-toe in another slugfest today, you would also be wrong. Cardinals starter Joe Kelly and Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija both struggled in the first today. But both guy got out of jams where it could have been much worse than it was. Samardzija struggled with his command all day, but especially in the first where he walked the first three guys he faced to load the bases with none out. Samardzija escaped with giving up only one run which was huge as the Cubs bounced right back. Kelly had men on second and third with no outs and managed to tightrope out of the first giving up just two. The game stayed 2-1 until the Cardinals tied things up in the 6th inning. The Cubs looked like they might break things open in the seventh when they put the first two guys on 1st and 3rd, but struggled to push across a run. With two outs and guys at 1st and 2nd still Reed Johnson caught everyone by surprise by laying down a two out safety squeeze. It worked to perfection as Fuentes didn’t have a throw and pinch runner Tony Campana scored the go ahead run, which was also the winning run. Carlos Marmol came on for the ninth and shut the Cardinals down, he is now 11-for-11 in save opportunities. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
