Chicago Cubs (MLB 09: The Show)

[Psyblast]

Lou shuffles the lineup
With the offense slumping, the skipper makes some tweaks

ST. LOUIS, MO - A day after watching his offense feebly flail at Todd Wellemeyer's pitches, Lou Piniella has seen enough.

The Cubs sent down rookie second baseman Bobby Scales and recalled major league veteran Aaron Miles, who has been hitting .300 in Iowa so far this season. Miles will not start immediately, but he will be available to pinch hit and pinch run.

The major moves are occurring at the top of the Chicago lineup, as Alfonso Soriano is being moved down to the 3 hole, with Reed Johnson and Mike Fontenot at 1-2. Johnson, batting .333 in spot starts and pinch hitting, will play center field. Fontenot has been the Cubs' most consistent bat, hitting .375. When asked if Kosuke Fukudome was simply getting the day off or if he was being benched, Piniella offered no comment.

The other personnel change for today's game is Micah Hoffpauir in right for Milton Bradley. Piniella was more forthcoming here, saying Bradley was due for a day off, but would be available in pinch hit situations.

The lineup card:

1. Johnson, CF
2. Fontenot, 2B
3. Soriano, LF
4. Lee, 1B
5. Ramirez, 3B
6. Soto, C
7. Hoffpauir, RF
8. Theriot, SS
9. Harden, P

[Psyblast]

Cubs put the squeeze on their rivals
Small ball at its finest provides the winning run in the 10th


Aaron Miles' first appearence of the season was dramatic; he singled, stole second, was bunted over, and scored the winning run on a suicide squeeze

Busch Stadium 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 12 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 9 0 W: N. Cotts (2-0) | L: T. Miller (2-2) | S: K. Gregg (2)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, CF: 1-3, SF, RBI, SAC
M. Fontenot, 2B: 3-5, RBI
A. Soriano, LF: 2-4, HR (2), BB, SB
D. Lee, 1B: 0-4, BB, 2 K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 0-5
G. Soto, C: 0-4, K
M. Hoffpauir, RF: 3-4
R. Theriot, SS: 1-3, SAC, GIDP
R. Harden, P: 1-2, 3B, R
-K. Fukudome, PH: 0-1, K
J. Samardzija, P: 0-0
-A. Miles, PH-SS: 1-1, SB, R

R. Harden: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K
A. Guzman: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
S. Marshall: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
J. Samardzija: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB
N. Cotts (W, 2-0): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K
K. Gregg (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R

St. Louis Cardinals
S. Schumaker, 2B: 1-5, 2 K
C. Duncan, LF: 0-5, K
A. Pujols, 1B: 0-5, K
R. Ankiel, CF: 1-3, BB, K
T. Glaus, 3B: 1-4, R
K. Greene, SS: 2-4, SB, R
Y. Molina, C: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B
N. Stavinoha, RF: 2-3, HBP, K
K. Lohse, P: 0-1, SAC
K. McClellan, P: 0-0
-C. Rasmus, PH: 0-1, K
J. Motte, P: 0-0
-B. Barden, PH: 0-1, GIDP

K. Lohse: 6.0 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 4 K
K. McClellan (H, 3): 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, K
C. Perez (BS, 2): 1.2 IP, H, ER
J. Motte: 0.1 IP, H, 0 R
T. Miller (L, 2-2): 1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, BB[/b]

Record: 9-8
Next Game: @ St. Louis (9-10)
Pitching Matchup: Ted Lilly (0-3, 8.10) vs. Joel Pineiro (0-2, 3.18)

[Psyblast]

Extra effort wins the series for Chicago
Lilly comes up just short, but the bats break through in the 13th


Lee's single opened up the floodgates in th 13th inning for the Cubs

Busch Stadium 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 000 4 5 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 000 0 1 12 1 W: S. Marshall (2-0) | L: C. Perez (1-1)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, CF: 1-5, BB, SB, CS
M. Fontenot, 2B: 1-6, R, K
A. Soriano, LF: 1-6, R, K
D. Lee, 1B: 1-6, RBI, R, K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 4-6, RBI, 2 R
M. Bradley, RF: 3-6, RBI, K
G. Soto, C: 2-5, RBI, SB, K
-A. Miles, PR: CS
-K. Hill, C: 1-1, RBI
R. Theriot, SS: 1-6, 2B, GIDP
T. Lilly, P: 0-3
C. Marmol, P: 0-0
-K. Fukudome, PH: 0-1
S. Marshall, P: 0-1, K

T. Lilly: 8.2 IP, 6 H, ER, 5 K
C. Marmol: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K
K. Gregg: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R
S. Marshall (W, 2-0): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K
J. Samardzija: 0.2 IP, H, 0 R, K

St. Louis Cardinals
S. Schumaker, 2B: 1-6, 2 GIDP
K. Greene, SS: 2-6, 2B
R. Ankiel, CF: 4-6, HR (1), 2B, K
T. Glaus, 3B: 1-6, K
C. Rasmus, LF: 1-5, 2 K
B. Barden, 1B: 1-5, K
J. LaRue, C: 0-2
-A. Pujols, PH-C: 0-3, K
N. Stavinoha, RF: 0-5, K
J. Pineiro, P: 2-2
K. McClellan, P: 0-0
-D. Freese, PH: 0-1
J. Motte, P: 0-0
-C. Duncan, PH: 0-1
J. Todd, P: 0-1

J. Pineiro: 5.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K
K. McClellan: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
J. Motte: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K
J. Todd: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K
C. Perez (L, 1-1): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER
B. Thompson: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER[/b]

Record: 10-8
Next Game: @ Arizona (8-10)
Pitching Matchup: Ryan Dempster (1-0, 2.61) vs. Jon Garland (0-2, 6.75)

[Madman55]

Looking good, Psy. Nice to see you over 500. :P

[Psyblast]

Cubs have a hit parade in the desert
Fontenot's line drive HR puts Chicago over the top in the 7th


Fontenot turned on Pena's fastball, driving it over the right field wall

Chase Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 2 0 8 18 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 7 0 W: R. Dempster (2-0) | L: T. Pena (1-1)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, CF: 3-5, 2 R
M. Fontenot, SS: 4-5, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R
D. Lee, 1B: 2-5, RBI, GIDP
A. Ramirez, 3B: 3-4, 2 RBI, BB, R, K
M. Bradley, LF: 1-5, R, K
G. Soto, C: 1-5, RBI, 2 K
M. Hoffpauir, RF: 1-4, SF, RBI
A. Miles, 2B: 2-5, 3B, R
R. Dempster, P: 0-2, SAC
A. Heilman, P: 0-0
-A. Soriano, PH: 1-1, R
C. Marmol, P: 0-1

R. Dempster (W, 2-0): 6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 8 K
A. Heilman (H, 1): 0.2 IP, H, 0 R, K
C. Marmol: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K

Arizona Diamondbacks
F. Lopez, 2B: 0-4
S. Drew, SS: 2-4, 3B, R, K
J. Upton, RF: 1-4, R, 2 K
M. Reynolds, 3B: 0-4, K
C. Tracy, 1B: 1-4, RBI, R, K
C. Jackson, LF: 1-4, 2 RBI, 2B, K
C. Snyder, C: 1-4, HR (2), K
C. Young, CF: 1-3, K
J. Garland, P: 0-2, K
J. Rauch, P: 0-0
-E. Byrnes, PH: 0-1, K

J. Garland: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 K
T. Pena (L, 1-1): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, BB
J. Rauch: 0.2 IP, H, 0 R
T. Gordon: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER
L. Rosales: 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, K[/b]

Record: 11-8
Next Game: @ Arizona (8-11)
Pitching Matchup: Ben Sheets (2-1, 3.22) vs. Doug Davis (1-0, 4.30)

[Psyblast]

Sheets is super
Cubs' "5th starter" hurls a gem


Sheets was a horse, throwing 111 pitches for the complete game shutout

Chase Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 W: B. Sheets (3-1) | L: D. Davis (1-1)

Chicago Cubs
A. Soriano, LF: 1-4, SB, K
K. Fukudome, CF: 0-4, GIDP, K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 1-4, HR (1)
M. Bradley, RF: 2-4, 2B, SB, 2 R
M. Hoffpauir, 1B: 1-3, RBI, BB
R. Theriot, SS: 1-4, RBI
K. Hill, C: 0-3, GIDP
A. Miles, 2B: 0-3
B. Sheets, P: 1-3

B. Sheets (W, 3-1): CG, 6 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K

Arizona Diamondbacks
F. Lopez, 2B: 2-4
S. Drew, SS: 1-4, K
M. Reynolds, 3B: 0-4, 2 K
C. Snyder, C: 0-4, K
C. Tracy, 1B: 1-3, 2B, BB
C. Jackson, LF: 1-4, 2B, K
E. Byrnes, RF: 0-3
C. Young, CF: 0-3, K
D. Davis, P: 0-2, K
J. Rauch, P: 0-0
-J. Upton, PH: 1-1, 2B

D. Davis (L, 1-1): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, K
J. Rauch: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
D. Schlereth: 1.0 IP, 2 H, ER[/b]

Record: 12-8
Next Game: @ Arizona (8-12)
Pitching Matchup: Carlos Zambrano (1-3, 4.39) vs. Brandon Webb (2-1, 1.82)

[Psyblast]

Lee to sit
Cubs 1st baseman sidelined as a precaution

PHOENIX - Derrek Lee was scheduled to start at his usual spot at first base in yesterday's 3-0 Cubs win over the Diamondbacks, but injured himself during batting practice before the game. He was diagnosed with a bruised finger, and Micah Hoffpauir was inserted at first base.

The injury is not serious, and Lee is expected to be back in the lineup in less than a week.

"We're just playing it safe," Cubs skipper Lou Piniella said. "If push came to shove, he'd be in there. He may be available to pinch hit."

[Psyblast]

Still no luck for Zambrano
Big Z comes up short in his duel with Webb


Webb was the latest to shutdown the Cubs on a day where Zambrano started; in his four losses, the Cubs have scored a combined three runs

Chase Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 x 2 6 0 W: B. Webb (3-1) | L: C. Zambrano (1-4) | S: C. Qualls (5)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, RF: 1-3, BB, R, K
M. Fontenot, 2B: 2-4, RBI, 2B, K
A. Soriano, LF: 1-3, 2B, BB, K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 0-3, HBP
M. Hoffpauir, 1B: 0-4, K
G. Soto, C: 0-4, 2 K
K. Fukudome, CF: 0-4, K
R. Theriot, SS: 0-4, K
C. Zambrano, P: 0-2, BB, K
-M. Bradley, PH: 0-1

C. Zambrano (L, 1-4): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6 K

Arizona Diamondbacks
F. Lopez, 2B: 0-4
C. Jackson, LF: 0-4
J. Upton, RF: 0-4, K
M. Reynolds, 3B: 1-4, K
C. Tracy, 1B: 0-3, R, K
E. Byrnes, CF: 3-3, 2B, R
M. Montero, C: 2-3, 2 RBI, K
A. Ojeda, SS: 0-3
B. Webb, P: 0-2, 2 K
-S. Drew, PH: 0-1

B. Webb (W, 3-1): 7.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K
T. Gordon (H, 2): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
C. Qualls (S, 5): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R[/b]

Record: 12-9
Next Game: Florida (11-10)
Pitching Matchup: Rich Harden (1-1, 1.98) vs. Josh Johnson (2-1, 3.86)

[CubFan23]

It took awhile for Aramis to heat up in my Cubs franchise, then he went on a tear, 5hr's and 13 rbi in 4 games. Fukudome leads the league in hitting for me through 67 games.

Love the Franchise! I have no patience to do this.
Go Cubs Go!

[Psyblast]

Cubs go fishing
Harden mows them down while the bats rake


Harden K'd 12 in 7 innings, and got all the run support he needed in one inning

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 0 4 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 x 9 16 1 W: R. Harden (2-1) | L: J. Johnson (2-2)

Chicago Cubs
A. Soriano, LF: 2-4, 2B, SB, BB, 2 R
K. Fukudome, CF: 1-5, R, 2 K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 4-5, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 R
M. Bradley, RF: 2-3, SF, RBI, HBP, 3 R
G. Soto, C: 3-4, 2 RBI, R
-K. Hill, C: 0-1, GIDP
M. Hoffpauir, 1B: 2-3, 3 RBI, SF, 2B
M. Fontenot, 2B: 1-4, RBI, 2 K
R. Theriot, SS: 1-4
R. Harden, P: 0-2, SAC
-R. Johnson, PH-CF: 0-1

R. Harden (W, 2-1): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 12 K
J. Samardzija: 1.0 IP, H, ER, 3 K
N. Cotts: 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, K

Florida Marlins
E. Bonifacio, 3B: 1-5, 2B, 3 K
R. Gload, 1B: 2-4, 2B, 2 K
H. Ramirez, SS: 0-4, 3 K
D. Uggla, 2B: 1-4, HR (7), K
C. Ross, CF: 1-4, R, K
C. Coghlan, LF: 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, HBP, 2 K
R. Paulin, C: 0-4, 2 K
M. Stanton, RF: 0-4, 2 K
B. Badenhop, P: 1-2
-J. Hermida, PH: 0-1
B. Meyer, P: 0-0
-A. Amezaga, PH: 1-1, 2B

J. Johnson (L, 2-2): 1.2 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, K
B. Badenhop: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K
D. Meyer: 2.0 IP, H, 0 R[/b]

Record: 13-9
Next Game: Florida (11-11)
Pitching Matchup: Ted Lilly (0-3, 5.68) vs. Chris Volstad (0-0, 3.96)