Results tagged ‘ Welington Castillo ’
Cubs Threaten Late but Fall Short
Jeff Samardzija is probably getting used to this, as it seems to be happening a lot, such is life being the ace of a team trying to build its entire organization from the ground up. Yes, I said ace, Samardzija is starting to become every bit of the word, today was another step in that direction. Samardzija made one mistake in his seven innings of work and it resulted in an Adam LaRoche solo homer that gave the Nats a 1-0 lead early. 
They would tack on an insurance run in the eighth, and survived a Cubs scare in the ninth to escape with a 2-1 victory. As I mentioned Samardzija worked seven strong innings giving up one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out eight, unfortunately he finished his day with his 13th loss of the season. The Cubs couldn’t solve Ross Detwiler today as they could only manage four hits against the southpaw who won his 9th game of the season. Starlin Castro was one of the Cubs who found some success at the plate today as he was 2-for-4 with a double in the loss. Welington Castillo continues his push for the 2013 starting role behind the plate as he finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI, he also picked off a runner at first late in the game.
Game Highlights:
Castillo’s RBI Single
Mather’s Nice Catch
Castro’s Slick Play
Thanks for reading,
- George
Bizarro World: Volstad Wins Second Straight
Maybe Chris Volstad has found something. Volstad went without a win in 24 straight starts, over a full calendar year, he has two wins in his last two starts. Volstad was good today, on a day when the conditions favored anyone with a bat in their hands. He found the zone early and then pitched to his strengths after that, 
he finished his day after 5.2 innings giving up two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Coming into this one I don’t think many people gave the Cubs a chance, not only are the Giants much better, but the Cubs were facing all world lefty Madison Bumgarner. As they say, that’s why they play the games.
The Cubs jumped Bumgarner early, as they scored once in the first and piled on four more in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead. The Giants tried to make it a game late as they pulled within two in the 8th but Carlos Marmol came on to shut the door in the ninth, again, he’s been outstanding as of late. Anthony Rizzo hit his first home run since August 5, no one believed it so they actually had to review it to make sure. Okay, that’s not really why, it was ruled a triple but replays showed it was gone, it was Rizzo’s 10th home run of the season, he finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI, and two runs scored. Alfonso Soriano also had a big day at the plate, basically rubbing it in the Giants face, “you’ll never get this, you’ll never get this” Soriano was overheard as he rounded the bases on his 24th home run of the season. Soriano of course has said that he would prefer to not play in San Francisco if the Giants tried to trade for him, Soriano finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBI’s.
Volstad Presser
Sveum Presser
Game Highlights
Soriano’s Two-Run Bomb
Full Video Recap
Rizzo’s ….. Home Run
Castillo’s RBI Double
Thanks for reading,
- George
Offensive Struggles Continue For Cubs in Loss
Let’s not kid ourselves, this is pretty bad, sure it’s something that needs to happen in order to get better, but it’s really bad. The Cubs had one more hit than they had last night, a whopping four, at least two of those hits went for extra bases, bright side right? Another piece of good news is that the Cubs only struck out seven times as a team tonight, a moral victory if you will. 
It’s a shame too as Jeff Samardzija turned in another solid outing as he winds down his first full season as a big league starter. Shark finished his night after seven innings, he gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits, he didn’t walk anyone and struck out ten. To think that at the beginning of the season the Cubs were “taking a chance” by putting Samardzija into the rotation, he has been a bright spot all year-long, and looks to be near the top of the rotation in 2013. The Cubs had nothing going offensively as Mike Fiers was as equally as impressive as Samardzija, shutting the Cubs down for 7.1 innings. Starlin Castro and Welington Castillo each had a double in the loss, but at least there was something to get excited about tonight if you were a Cubs fan. Congrats to Darwin Barney, who tonight set the NL single-season record with his 114th consecutive error-less game at second base. Wish you weren’t turning into Theriot at the plate, let’s avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon!
Game Highlights:
Barney’s RBI Groundout
Thanks for reading,
- George
Disastrous Inning Does in Cubs
If the Cubs can somehow have major league baseball remove the 5th inning from last nights game things would look much better. That’s not going to happen, so the Cubs are going to have to live with the fact that they allowed the 
Brewers to plate eight runs in that fateful inning en route to a 9-5 defeat. Justin Germano was cruising through the first four innings but ran into some big time trouble in the 5th. Germano lost command and was leaving too many pitches over the heart of the plate, typically that’s not a great way to get major league hitters out. When the dust settled the Brewers had a 9-3 lead and Germano was out of the game, he lasted 4.2 innings giving up seven runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out three. The Cubs were able to create some offense of their own as they scored five runs on eight hits but it could have been so much more. Half the players on this team still don’t know how to run out of the box, I’m looking at you Valbuena. On top of the base running mistakes the Cubs were only 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Anthony Rizzo and Welington Castillo each had two hits in the loss, the two hits from Castillo bring his average to .288 on the season, not bad at all.
Game Highlights:
Josh Vitters’ First Major League HR
Brett Jackson’s Great Catch
Rizzo’s RBI Double
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs No Match For Harrell
I don’t think I should predict anymore victories, especially when Chris Volstad is pitching. So much for trying to be positive, Chris Volstad is just lost out there, and I was foolish to think he had a chance tonight. Furthermore, if I knew Lendy Castillo would make an 
appearance I would have definitely kept my mouth shut. Volstad was roughed up again tonight, as he recorded his ninth loss of the season, he’s only made twelve starts. Sure, four runs doesn’t seem like a lot, but Volstad was hit hard in every inning. Speaking of innings, Volstad only lasted five, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out three. Lendy Castillo, or as I like to call him, kerosene, made things much worse in his 0.2 innings of work, he gave up five runs, three earned on five hits while striking out two. This was another one of those “going through the motions” games as the Cubs seemed to want to do anything but play baseball tonight. They only managed six hits, and one run on their way to a 10-1 defeat thanks in large part to Lucas Harrell, who, to be fair, was outstanding tonight. Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, and Brett Jackson each had one hit in the loss, so that’s exciting, I guess. The Cubs will look to win the series tomorrow as they send Justin Germano to the bump.
Game Highlights:
Great Throw from Welington Castillo
Barney Snags a Liner
Thanks for reading,
- George
Losing streak reaches 6; Bats MIA again
Well, that was fast. The Cubs and Padres completed this one in two 
hours and 25 minutes, unfortunately the Cubs came out on the short end. Part of the reason for the quick game was the Cubs approach at the plate. After a solid 28 pitch first inning the Cubs fell back into bad habits as they rushed through at bats. A troubling sight considering it was only a two run game thanks to a stellar effort turned in by Travis Wood. Wood went six strong innings allowing two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. With the loss Wood falls for 4-8 on the season with an ERA of 4.77. As I mentioned, the Cubs offense was lacking and that’s putting it mildly. Eric Stults and company held the Cubs to just five hits as they shut down the Cubs from the word go. Welington Castillo was the only offense in the loss he went 2-for-4 at the plate. The Cubs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. Josh Vitters made his first major league start and was held hitless, just like everyone else, but did make an outstanding defensive play that might have saved a run. The Cubs losing streak now sits at six, and until the bats get going that number will grow. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
8/5: Around the Minor League System
Here is the minor league recap for August 5, 2012.
In an up and down game the AZL Cubs wound up on the losing end dropping Sunday’s game 8-6. In his first start Duane Underwood struggled big time giving up four runs, three earned in just .1 innings and just like that the Cubs were down 4-0. Over the next three innings the Cubs offense would come to life scoring six runs. Ben Carhart was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Jacob Rogers and David Bote had a hit and each drove two runs as well. Top prospect Albert Almora was 1-for-5 and Carlos Penalver drove a run home. Leading 6-4 the Cubs turned it over the bullpen and after Brian Smith calmed things down, Ethan Elias really struggled giving up four runs over three innings. Steve Perakslis and Chad Martin combined to pitch the last three innings holding the Giants scorelss. After being down early and then taking the lead it is definitely tough to not come out on top of this one.
****
Just when it looked like Boise was going to cruise to an easy win a five run seventh happened to tie the game at nine. Luckily for Boise Daniel Vogelbach wasn’t going to let this one slip away as he connected for a game winning home run in the top of the 11th. Lance Rymel had qutie the night on Sunday going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Trey Martin and Marco Hernandez each had three hits with Martin driving in two runs. Izaac Garsez had his best game yet, going 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Wilson Contreras had two hits and scored three runs and Stephen Bruno added a hit and two RBIs. Ian Dickson started and took a no decision as he gave up three runs on three hits in five innings. Hunter Ackerman and Rafael Diplan did not have there best days combining to giving up six runs, five earned in just two innings. Su-Min Jung recorded his first win of the season and Eduardo Orozco closed it out earning his second save. Wow, was it a crazy game on Sunday, luckily for us the Hawks took the W.
****
Clinton scored two in the eighth to defeat Peoria 3-2. Michael Jensen started and pitched well allowing one run on five hits, while striking out four in five innings pitched. Sheldon McDonald pick up right were he left off striking out three in two scoreless innings. Austin Reed, however was not very good on Sunday giving up two runs in two innings and taking the loss. Not much happening on the offensive side as the Chiefs only had five hits. With the promotion of Javier Baez, Timothy Saunders was sent to Peoria and he ended the game 1-for-4 with a double. Yanel Cabezas had a double as well as an RBI. Wes Darvill, Sergio Burruel, and Oliver Zapata all had one hit a piece in the loss.
****
Daytona dropped another one Dunedin on Sunday losing 4-2. Christian Villanueva was the only Cubs player with a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-4 in the loss. Rubi Silva had a hit and drove in John Andreoli who also had a run scored. Rebel Ridling, Rafael Lopez, and Micah Gibbs all had one hit, with Ridling scoring a run. PJ Francescon started and gave up two runs in two innings, striking out four. Frank Del Valle also gave up two runs, but did strike out five in his four innings of relief. Ryan Searl thew the last two innings not allowing a run and striking one out. Javier Baez struggled again in his second game with Daytona going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. It is not the way wanted to start and it is not the way Daytona wanted things to go this weekend.
****
After being up early, Tennessee tied it in the seventh, only to lose it in the bottom of the ninth 5-4. Jutin Bour had a nice game going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, bringing his season total to 92. Nelson Perez added two hits including his fifth home run of the season and Matt Cerda also had two hits on the evening. Logan Watkins and Nate Samson each had a hit and Watkins scored a run and stole his 21st base of the season. Eric Jokisch started, but did not factor in the decision pitching five innings and giving up three runs, while striking out six. Brian Schlitter took the loss giving up the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
****
Iowa gave up one in each the eighth and the ninth to lose to Reno 2-1. The bright spot on Sunday was Casey Coleman. He pitched outstanding going six innings allowing no runs on two hits and striking out eight. Jay Jackson pitched a scoreless seventh striking out one batter. Marcus Hatley and Esmailin Caridad each gave up a run and Caridad took the loss. Well it happened to Iowa again on Sunday, this time losing Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters to the big club. Diory Hernandez was 1-for-3 with the Cubs only RBI. Greg Rohan stayed hot going 1-for-4 in the loss. There isn’t much exciting happening in Iowa right now and with the departures of Jackson, Vitters, Welington Castillo, and Adrian Cardenas thing probably will continue to be a struggle.
****
Thanks for Reading,
-Mark
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.
