Results tagged ‘ Cubs Game Highlights ’
Samardzija’s Dominance Not Enough as Cubs Get Swept
Jeff Samardzija was about as dominant as a pitcher could be today, unfortunately the final score really doesn’t tell the story. The Cubs offense got back to normal as they could only manage five hits and one run against Braves starter Tim Hudson in the loss. 
The game changed in the sixth as the Braves looked to get a break as the home plate umpire ruled that Chris Johnson was hit by a pitch, it looked like it missed him on the replay but it was a close call. That loaded the bases and Ramiro Pena followed with a ground ball base hit, which arguably could have been had by a Major League second baseman, unfortunately the Cubs had Alberto Gonzalez there. Just like that it was 3-1 Braves and basically over given the Cubs lack of offensive anything. Home opener tomorrow!
At The Plate – Nothing good really. After yesterday’s “explosion” the Cubs could only manage five hits, and only one extra base hit. Starlin Castro might be on the verge of getting hot as he was 2-for-4 with two singles. Anthony Rizzo provided the only RBI of the game and finished the day 1-for-4, and David DeJesus doubled for his only hit of the game. The Cubs left seven guys on base and were o-for-4 with runners in scoring position today.
On The Mound - It was the Jeff Samardzija show, and it’s really unfortunate that he didn’t get a win, or a no decision and was hung with a loss because he really didn’t deserve it. Samardzija went 5.2 innings giving up four runs on four hits while walking four and striking out thirteen. Hector Rondon had a solid inning of work out of the pen as he allowed nothing while striking out two. Hisanori Takahashi gave up a run in his inning of work, a solo home run to Dan Uggla, he also struck out one.
Up Next - The home opener! Something to get excited about after two mind numbing losses. Edwin Jackson gets the honors and will face off against Marco Estrada and the Brewers.
Stat Of The Night - Jeff Samardzija set a career high with thirteen strikeouts in only 5.2 innings, besting his previous high of eleven.
Game Highlights:
Check back later
Thanks for reading,
- George
Marmol Coaster Comes Off Tracks in Loss to Braves
Over the course of 162 games there will be losses that are harder to take than others, this is one of those losses, in fact this might be the toughest one of the season. After an outstanding performance from Carlos Villanueva the Cubs held a 5-1 
lead in the 8th inning. A poor outing from Kyuji Fujikawa made the game close and another Carlos Marmol meltdown gave the Braves a walk-off victory. All of this could have been avoided if the Cubs capitalized on a golden opportunity in the top of the 8th. The Cubs loaded the bases with no outs and failed to push across a run, that usually comes back to haunt you, and tonight is definitely did.
At The Plate – The Cubs finally found some offense, unfortunately it was the failed opportunities that will be remembered in this one. The Cubs pounded out thirteen hits, a season high by far, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough. Every Cubs hitter in the starting lineup registered at least one hit, even starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva. Anthony Rizzo got things going as he was 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI’s, and a run scored. Nate Schierholtz had another solid game going 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Welington Castillo and Luis Valbuena also had two hits with Valbuena hitting his first home run of the season.
On The Mound - A tale of two games for sure, Carlos Villanueva got the start and was outstanding. Villanueva went 6.2 innings giving up one run on six hits while walking two and striking out six. Kyuji Fujikawa had a rough inning as he could only throw his fastball for strikes. Fujikawa gave up three runs in one inning of work on four hits while walking one and striking out one. Carlos Marmol was a disaster, he entered the ninth with a lead and could only record one out before the game was over. Marmol gave up two runs, on two hits, a solo home run to B.J. Upton and a solo home run to Justin Upton. Look for Marmol to be officially removed from the closer roll as early as before first pitch tomorrow.
Up Next - Jeff Samardzija takes the hill for the Cubs in the series finale against Tim Hudson at 12:35 PM CST. Samardzija looks to build off his dominant performance in the season opener.
Stat Of The Night - Coming into the night the Cubs had 16 hits on the season, they registered 13 tonight.
Game Highlights:
Schierholtz RBI Single
Luis Valbuena goes deep
Rizzo’s two-run shot
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Still Searching for Offense in Loss to Braves
More of the same from the Cubs offense tonight in Atlanta as they could only manage five hits and one run in a 4-1 loss. Sure Mike Minor was pounding the zone, but Cubs hitters made things way too easy on Braves pitching by 
having way too many aggressive at bats. The Cubs have two losses now, both with the “lefty lineup” on display, meaning DeJesus and Schierholtz on the bench. Not saying that they would have made a difference, but the Cubs always seem to struggle against lefties. Scott Feldman was all over the place, but battled, the result was being over 100 pitches and out the game before the end of the fifth inning. It’s not the end of the World, the Cubs are 2-2 which is probably a fair record at this point, if not better than it should be given the offensive struggles.
At The Plate – Another night, another low number in the hit column for the Cubs. Alfonso Soriano, Scott Hairston, Welington Castillo, and Alberto Gonzalez were all 1-for-3. Hairston provided the only offense of the night with a solo home run in the fifth inning off of Minor.
On The Mound - Scott Feldman made his Cubs debut and really never settled into a groove. For the most part he was able to pitch around trouble but couldn’t get out of the 5th. Feldman went 4.2 innings giving up four runs on five hits while walking four and striking out one. The bright spot was the bullpen, Michael Bowden and Hector Rondon shut the door over the last 2.1 innings but it was to no avail.
Up Next - Carlos Villanueva will make his Cubs debut opposite Julio Teheran at 6:00 PM CST. The Cubs will have their hands full again as Teheran is a high-class talent that will give them fits if they aren’t patient.
Stat Of The Night - The Cubs have 16 hits in the first four games of the season.
Game Highlights:
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Fall Flat Against Brewers
Another day, another solid start from Ryan Dempster, and another loss. Such is life at this point with the Cubs, do everything but win. Once again the Cubs entered the late innings hanging on to a one run lead. By now, everyone should know that odds are the outcome is not going to be a favorable one for Cubs fans and players alike.
Maholm Struggles in Cubs Debut
Tuesday night’s game against the Brewers was over before it really had a chance to get started as Paul Maholm and the Cubs spotted the Brewers a five run lead in the first. Maholm’s Cubs debut could not have been any worse for him or for the Cubs who have now dropped to 1-4 on the year.
