April, 2006 | The Baseball Zealot

Greg Maddux: Thanks! We really needed that!

Greg Maddux did it again. But this time, it really mattered. The Cubs really needed this. In the worst way possible. I submit to you four reasons why the Cubs needed Greg Maddux to come through yesterday and to do it the way he did. Reason #1: The Cubs needed a win, any kind of win. … Continue reading “Greg Maddux: Thanks! We really needed that!”

Greg Maddux did it again.

But this time, it really mattered. The Cubs really needed this. In the worst way possible.

I submit to you four reasons why the Cubs needed Greg Maddux to come through yesterday and to do it the way he did.

Reason #1: The Cubs needed a win, any kind of win. They haven’t won since Derrek Lee went down Friday night (and I guarantee you, any thinking Cub fan would trade that win for Derrek Lee back in the lineup right now).

Reason #2: The Cubs needed to win the last game against St Louis to avoid a sweep. The players (and more importantly, the fans) don’t need that hanging over their heads. In addition, winning that game gives the Cubs a one-game series advantage over the Cards.

Reason #3: Had they lost that game, they would be 9-8, precious close to a .500 record. Maybe it’s perception but 10-7 gives them a little more breathing room as they head in to their series with Florida.

Reason #4: Maddux winning this game the way he did (0 ER in 7 IP) gives the Cub players (and fans) something positive to think about. Let’s not forget there are quality players (and pitchers) who are still playing. The mantra I kept hearing from Cub fans and bloggers was “we need to stay .500 until Prior and Wood get back”. Well, not only are they are doing that, they are managing to win a few more.

Go Cubs!

4/23/06 Linescore of the Day: Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles 4 for 4, HR, rbi, run Miguel “Must I do it all?” Tejada had a good day at the plate for the AL Birds. He went 4 for 4 with a dinger. But what made it extra special was that that he was the sole source of offense for the Orioles … Continue reading “4/23/06 Linescore of the Day: Miguel Tejada”

Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles

4 for 4, HR, rbi, run

Miguel “Must I do it all?” Tejada had a good day at the plate for the AL Birds. He went 4 for 4 with a dinger. But what made it extra special was that that he was the sole source of offense for the Orioles Sunday. No other Oriole had a hit, run or rbi. Ok, Chris Gomez did muster a walk.

The Orioles lost to the Yanks 7-1.

The Inevitable: Jerome Williams has been demoted

Who didn’t see this coming? Jerome Williams has been demoted to the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa team. He hammered the last nail in his coffin when he allowed 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings against St Louis on Friday. For the season, he was 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. Quoth Baker: “[Williams] was real good one time, … Continue reading “The Inevitable: Jerome Williams has been demoted”

Who didn’t see this coming? Jerome Williams has been demoted to the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa team.

He hammered the last nail in his coffin when he allowed 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings against St Louis on Friday. For the season, he was 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. Quoth Baker:

“[Williams] was real good one time, then the next time equally as bad,” Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. “You just want to get some consistency.”

That about sums it up. JW was good about one time. I know more than a few Cub fans that won’t shed a tear about this.

Taking his place is Angel Guzman who hasn’t exactly wowed them in three minor league games with a 6.61 ERA though he did strike out 23 in 16 plus innings.

4/22/06 Linescore of the Day: Damian Miller

Damian Miller, Milwaukee Brewers 4 for 4, 3 2B, HR, run, 5 rbis Miller was part of history yesterday. In the fourth inning, five Brewers went yard. Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, JJ Hardy, and Prince Fielder all hit homeruns. And that, folks, tied an MLB record. Other teams to accomplish this feat: 1966 … Continue reading “4/22/06 Linescore of the Day: Damian Miller”

Damian Miller, Milwaukee Brewers

4 for 4, 3 2B, HR, run, 5 rbis

Miller was part of history yesterday. In the fourth inning, five Brewers went yard. Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, JJ Hardy, and Prince Fielder all hit homeruns. And that, folks, tied an MLB record. Other teams to accomplish this feat: 1966 Minnesota Twins, 1939 New York Giants, 1949 Philadelphia Phillies, and the 1961 San Francisco Giants.

In addition, Miller had 3 two-baggers.

4/21/06 Linescore of the Day: Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals 4 for 5, 3 HR, 3 runs, 5 rbis Alfonso was patient today. Well, in the sense he had to wait for a 2-hour rain delay. Regardless, he had a career day. This was the first time he’s hit 3 homeruns in one game. His last shot, a three-run dinger, broke … Continue reading “4/21/06 Linescore of the Day: Alfonso Soriano”

Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals

4 for 5, 3 HR, 3 runs, 5 rbis

Alfonso was patient today. Well, in the sense he had to wait for a 2-hour rain delay. Regardless, he had a career day. This was the first time he’s hit 3 homeruns in one game. His last shot, a three-run dinger, broke a 3-all tie and broke it open for the Nats.

Honorable mention to Michael Young of Texas who was 5 for 5 with 5 rbis and 3 doubles.

Dishonorable mention goes to Jerome Williams (who continues show I was wrong when I said, “I think he’s a good pickup for the Cubs” when we got him in the Hawkins deal). Not only did he allow 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings, he walked the pitcher with the bases loaded.

Illinois having its way with Iowa

So far after two games, it looks as if Illinois was ready for Iowa. The burning question on all fans minds: Was ace reliever Matt Whitmore up to the task after making the switch to starter last night? It sure looks like it. Whitmore 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 … Continue reading “Illinois having its way with Iowa”

So far after two games, it looks as if Illinois was ready for Iowa.

The burning question on all fans minds: Was ace reliever Matt Whitmore up to the task after making the switch to starter last night? It sure looks like it.

Whitmore 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K

Ok, from the looks of the linescore, his control was a bit off and it’s for certain that his 1.33 ERA will go up. But he allowed only 3 hits and more importantly, got the job done. He had plenty of room too, with the Illini offense scoring 12 runs. Final score 12-3

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Shortstop Shawn Roof up to bat

I went to the first game today. I got there at the bottom half of the first and the Illini had already spotted Iowa a one-run lead. The Illini picked away at the lead scoring a run in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th innings. Shawn Roof went 2 for 2 with an rbi and Joe Bonadonna went 1 for 3 with a run and rbi each. By this time, things were falling apart for Iowa. So much so, the Iowa coach got thrown out of the game in the 6th for arguing with the men in blue over relatively unimportant call at first base.

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Jake Toohey warming up in the pen

It wasn’t quite over yet though. Iowa managed to load the bases in the 7th. The new pitcher Toohey walked in a run and another scored on a sac fly bringing the score to 4-3. Toohey settled down and got the last two outs for another win for the Illini. Final score: 4-3

Update: Looks like the Illini have taken the second game of today’s double-header 10-2. One more game against Iowa tomorrow at 1pm.

Sunday update: Well, it looks like Iowa took its 0-3 frustrations out on Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The final score was 17-3. Yikes, two touchdowns and a field goal. The box score isn’t pretty to look at. Jake Stewart and Brian Blomquist got rocked pretty hard.

Big Ten baseball in C-U this weekend!

Anyone in Champaign-Urbana this weekend has a good chance to catch some good Big 10 baseball as Iowa comes to town to face the Illini. Here’s the schedule and rundown on the teams. I did a double take when I saw this: April 21 • 6:05 pm Matt Whitmore (RHP) vs. Luke O’Loughlin (RHP) Matt Whitmore … Continue reading “Big Ten baseball in C-U this weekend!”

Anyone in Champaign-Urbana this weekend has a good chance to catch some good Big 10 baseball as Iowa comes to town to face the Illini. Here’s the schedule and rundown on the teams.

I did a double take when I saw this:

April 21 • 6:05 pm
Matt Whitmore (RHP) vs. Luke O’Loughlin (RHP)

Matt Whitmore

Whitmore? Starting pitcher? Yes, it’s true. Matt Whitmore, previous Big 10 pitcher of the Week for his bullpen work is making his first college career start tonight. I’m following the game via GameTracker and so far he’s doing fine. He’s allowed 2 hits and no runs through frames.

Speaking of Whitmore, he has been added to the watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award. The award is presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Currently, Matt has 6 saves with a 1.33 ERA.

4/20 Linescore of the Day: Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson had a day hitters dream about in his game against the Phillies. His first homer came off Ryan Madson in the 2nd with a runner aboard and was driven into the 2nd tank in RF. Nick’s second blast was driven far over the centerfield fence, a no doubter! Nick Johnson’s day helped Frank Robinson win his 1,000 game as a manager. I remember when Frank Robinson broke in as the first black manager in the big leagues. He was a player manager for the Cleveland Indians. Once he put himself into a game against my beloved White Sox as a pinch hitter and came through with a game winning homer, it broke the Southsiders spirit that year. Here’s to you Mr. Robinson!!!

A runner-up for the Linescore of the Day would have to be the NY Mets Kaz Matsui who for the 3rd consecutive year hit a homer in his first at bat. This time it was an inside the parker against the Padres.

Nick Johnson 4 for 4, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, 2 HRs, 1 2B, 1 BB, .400 season avg

DLee Down

AP Photo I’m sure DLee was thinking a lot of things at this point but the prominent thought was probably “Ouch!” He didn’t look too comfortable after his collision with Rafael Furcal last night. Getting two players injured on one play is pretty rare (unless you play APBA). But when the two players who are injured … Continue reading “DLee Down”

AP Photo

I’m sure DLee was thinking a lot of things at this point but the prominent thought was probably “Ouch!” He didn’t look too comfortable after his collision with Rafael Furcal last night. Getting two players injured on one play is pretty rare (unless you play APBA). But when the two players who are injured are nowhere near each other takes some extremely bad luck.

Ok, hindsight is 20/20 and it’s easy to criticize. But did it occur to Scott Eyre that it might have been the wisest thing to just hold on to the ball rather than to shovel it lacrosse-style with his glove hand to Lee? No, I’m sure it didn’t. He reacted on instincts. If he made the play (instead of whipping it 5 feet over Lee’s glove), it would have been lauded as a great play.

However, the cost of this play may be far-reaching. Last I heard, Eyre won’t suffer too much and that’s good. But Lee, that’s another story. The tests of his wrist are due back tomorrow.

Oh, the Cubs beat the Dodgers anyway. Eighth-place hitter Ronny Cedeno came through with a game-winning single in the 8th inning. The Cubs get a day off to rest today.

Woo boy, they really need it.

Update: Lee will be out about 8-10 weeks. He has two fractured bones in his hand.

4/19 Linescores of the Day: Vazquez & Carpenter

In the day of juiced balls when baseball scores are looking more like football scores and everybody is happy with the numbers their fantasy hitters are putting up, it’s refreshing to see dominating pitching performances. This reminds me of the old joke when there’s this overpowering phenom pitcher totally dominating, strikes out all 27 batters he faces, in fact only one batter fouls off one pitch the entire ballgame. Of course the MLB scout immediately signs the hitter who fouled off the pitch to a multi-million dollar contract. The batters who got the hits were Doug Mientkiewicz & Esteban German for the KC Royals vs Javier Vazquez and Freddy Sanchez & Ronny Paulino for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chris Carpenter. Both the White Sox and the Cardinals defeated their struggling opponents 4-0.

Javier Vazquez W 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
Chris Carpenter W 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO