Results tagged ‘ Darwin Barney Defense ’
Darwin Barney, Gold Glover!
There wasn’t much to celebrate this year as a Cubs fan, one thing you can hang your hat on is the outstanding defense from Darwin Barney. Today that defense was recognized as MLB awarded Darwin Barney the gold glove at second base in the National League. Barney is the first Cubs player to win a Gold Glove since Derrek Lee in 2007, and is the first Cubs second baseman to win the award since Ryne Sandberg in 1991. Barney’s season was highlighted by a record tying 141 straight games without an error, which tied a Major League single season record, Barney made just two errors and posted a .997 fielding percentage. Congrats Darwin!
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Rally Falls One Run Short
Sure these games don’t matter much to the Cubs, but watching them battle to the final out is at least fun to watch, for those of us who are still watching. Jason Berken, who was claimed from the Orioles made his Cubs debut today and didn’t have his best stuff but he didn’t get any help from his defense. Berken lasted four innings giving up six runs, only two earned, on eight hits, 
while walking one and striking out two. The Pirates were able to build a 6-1 lead by the fifth inning and that’s when the Cubs started to turn the tide in this one. The Cubs were able to push across two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-3, but the Pirates were able to get one back in the seventh on Clint Barmes solo shot to push the lead to four runs. Refusing to quit the Cubs scored once in the eighth and two more times in the ninth to cut the Pirates led to one. Unfortunately the Cubs couldn’t tie it up in the ninth as Dave Sappelt struck out with the bases loaded to end the threat, and the game. Four different Cubs had two hits in this one, Anthony Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano, Starlin Castro, and Dave Sappelt. Darwin Barney also had a spectacular day with the glove as he made several fantastic plays to rob various Pirate hitters of base hits. Game three of this series is tomorrow afternoon, and the series wraps up on Monday Night.
Castro’s Trip..Double
Barney’s Great Catch
Game Highlights:
Soriano’s RBI Single
Valbuena’s RBI Single
Barney Great Play
Another Defensive Gem From Barney
Rizzo’s RBI Single
Thanks for reading,
- George
Long Ball Does in Wood
Travis Wood looks really good for some of the game, then looks like he is throwing batting practice for other parts of the game, at least that has been his m.o. recently. Tonight was more of the same for Wood as he was cruising through the first three innings as the 
Cubs held a 3-1 lead, then the wheels fell off. Wood allowed five runs in the 4th inning, including home runs by Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier and just like that the Cubs were looking up at a three run deficit. Wood suffered his ninth defeat of the season as he went five innings giving up seven runs, six earned on nine hits with three strikeouts. The Cubs had plenty of opportunities all night, even after they fell behind by four runs. Unfortunately they had too many strikeouts at the wrong time as they finished the night 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 guys on in the loss. Luis Valbuena found the magic tonight as he was 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Starlin Castro continued his recent tear going 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Anthony Rizzo finished the night 2-for-5 to raise his average to .299 on the season. Busy day tomorrow as Ernie Banks would be thrilled as the Cubs and Reds will play two.
Game Highlights:
Barney With a Slick Play
Barney Flashes The Leather Again
Castro Snags a Liner
Valbuena Goes Way Back
Thanks for reading,
- George
