Chicago Cubs (MLB 09: The Show)

[Psyblast]

April 2009 Review

NL Central

Team	W	L	DIV	GB
	15	7	13-6	--
	13	9	10-6	2.0
	12	10	7-5	3.0
	11	13	4-10	5.0
	9	13	7-9	6.0
	7	15	4-9	8.0

Batting Stats

	GP	AVG	H	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	SB%	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
M. Fontenot	18	.403	29	8	2	2	2	14	1	1	.500	2	10	.569	.427	.996
M. Hoffpauir	17	.353	12	3	2	0	0	9	0	0	.000	2	6	.412	.385	.796
R. Johnson	12	.344	11	6	0	0	0	3	2	1	.667	2	3	.344	.361	.705
M. Bradley	20	.333	24	16	3	0	2	14	2	2	.500	5	11	.458	.383	.841
K. Hill	5	.333	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000	0	1	.333	.333	.667
A. Miles	4	.333	3	2	0	1	0	0	1	1	.500	0	0	.556	.333	.889
G. Soto	19	.316	25	10	0	0	4	16	2	1	.667	2	20	.468	.333	.802
A. Soriano	21	.314	27	13	4	1	2	4	8	4	.667	10	14	.453	.392	.845
A. Ramirez	22	.306	26	16	2	1	1	15	0	0	.000	6	11	.388	.365	.753
R. Theriot	20	.286	22	4	3	0	0	7	1	2	.333	1	5	.325	.293	.617
D. Lee	19	.273	21	11	3	0	2	11	0	0	.000	6	5	.390	.314	.704
K. Fukudome	20	.235	19	10	1	0	0	3	0	1	.000	0	17	.247	.250	.497

Starting Pitching

	W-L	ERA	CG	SHO	GS	QS	HR	H	IP	BB	K	W%	HW-L	AW-L	RHH	LHH
C. Zambrano	1-4	3.89	1	0	5	4	1	34	34.2	4	32	.200	1-4	0-0	.311	.183
R. Harden	2-1	2.10	0	0	5	5	1	27	34.1	2	37	.667	2-0	0-1	.173	.275
T. Lilly	0-3	5.68	0	0	4	1	3	27	25.1	1	22	.000	0-1	0-2	.270	.269
R. Dempster	2-0	3.33	0	0	4	3	3	27	27.0	4	27	1.000	1-0	1-0	.254	.250
B. Sheets	3-1	2.30	1	1	4	4	3	23	31.1	2	26	.750	1-0	2-1	.159	.273

Relief Pitching

	GP	W-L	SV	ERA	BS	HD	HR	H	IP	BB	K	HW-L	AW-L	RHH	LHH
C. Marmol	9	0-0	1	1.50	0	0	2	10	12.0	1	10	0-0	0-0	.269	.158
J. Samardzija	9	0-0	0	3.12	0	0	2	7	8.2	1	13	0-0	0-0	.250	.182
N. Cotts	8	2-0	1	4.05	0	0	1	9	6.2	1	3	0-0	2-0	.278	.444
S. Marshall	7	2-0	0	1.35	0	0	0	6	6.2	0	4	0-0	2-0	.214	.250
A. Heilman	6	0-0	0	5.40	0	1	0	6	5.0	0	4	0-0	0-0	.333	.167
K. Gregg	5	0-0	2	1.93	0	0	0	6	4.2	0	2	0-0	0-0	.308	.333
A. Guzman	5	1-0	0	3.86	0	0	0	7	4.2	0	8	0-0	1-0	.778	.000

[Psyblast]

Frustrations boil to the surface
Lilly gets hung out to dry once again


The Cubs' offense came to life far too late to save Ted Lilly from his 4th loss

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 3 6 13 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 9 1 W: C. Volstad (1-0) | L: T. Lilly (0-4) | S: M. Lindstrom (7)

Chicago Cubs
M. Fontenot, 2B: 0-4, 2 K
A. Soriano, LF: 0-4
D. Lee, 1B: 1-3 (ejected)
-M. Hoffpauir, 1B: 0-1
A. Ramirez, 3B: 2-4, R
M. Bradley, RF: 1-4, RBI, 2B, R, K
G. Soto, C: 0-4
K. Fukudome, CF: 3-4, RBI, 2B, R, K
R. Theriot, SS: 2-4, RBI, K
T. Lilly, P: 0-1, SAC
A. Guzman, P: 0-0
-R. Johnson, PH: 0-1
J. Samardzija, P: 0-0
-A. Miles, PH: 0-1

T. Lilly (L, 0-4): 7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 6 K
A. Guzman: 0.2 IP, H, 0 R, K
A. Heilman: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R (left game - injured)
J. Samardzija: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, K

Florida Marlins
E. Bonifacio, 3B: 1-5, RBI, R, GIDP
R. Gload, 1B: 3-5, 2 RBI, K
H. Ramirez, SS: 2-5, RBI
D. Uggla, 2B: 0-5, 2 K
J. Hermida, RF: 1-4, R, 2 K
C. Ross, CF: 1-4, 2B, K
C. Coghlan, LF: 2-3, RBI, SF, R, K
J. Baker, C: 1-4, 2 R, K
C. Volstad, P: 1-1, SAC
-A. Amezaga, PH: 0-1, R
L. Nunez, P: 0-0
-R. Paulino, PH: 1-1, RBI

C. Volstad (W, 1-0): 7.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 K
L. Nunez (H, 3): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
D. Meyer: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER
M. Lindstrom (S, 7): 0.1 IP, H, 0 R[/b]

Record: 13-10
Next Game: Florida (12-11)
Pitching Matchup: Ryan Dempster (2-0, 3.33) vs. Anibal Sanchez (1-2, 7.13)

[Psyblast]

Heilman hits the DL
Reliever sidelined after leaving the game injured

CHICAGO - The Cubs announced today that Aaron Heilman will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

Heilman retired the first batter he faced yesterday in the 9th inning, but was visibly injured afterward. The Cubs were forced to remove him and place a cold Jeff Samardzija in the game, who, without having time to warm up, set fire to the game as the Marlins pulled away.

The timetable for Heilman's return is 2-3 weeks.

Meanwhile, internally, the Cubs front office is growing tired of both Ted Lilly and Kosuke Fukudome. Lilly has pitched well his past two starts, but his attitude has become increasingly negative in the clubhouse, and while Fukudome went 3-4 yesterday, he has come up well short of the lofty expectations the Cubs had for him when he arrived last season. Unless there is a substantial turnaround, it would not be surprising to see one or both on the move at some point.

[Psyblast]

Pitching paces Cubs to a shutout
Dempster and the bullpen shine on a sunny day at Wrigley


Gregg hasn't seen much action in the first month of the season, but he's been solid when called upon

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 x 3 11 2 W: R. Dempster (3-0) | L: A. Sanchez (1-3) | S: K. Gregg (3)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, CF: 1-4, RBI, R, 2 K
A. Miles, 2B: 1-4, K
A. Soriano, LF: 3-4, RBI, CS
D. Lee, 1B: 1-4, R, 2 K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 2-4
M. Bradley, RF: 0-4, 2 K
G. Soto, C: 1-4
R. Theriot, SS: 1-2, RBI, SF, R
R. Dempster, P: 0-1, SAC
A. Guzman, P: 0-0
-K. Fukudome, PH: 1-1

R. Dempster (W, 3-0): 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K
A. Guzman (H, 1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
C. Marmol (H, 1): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
K. Gregg (S, 3): 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 2 K

Florida Marlins
C. Maybin, LF: 0-4, 2 K
R. Gload, 1B: 2-4, 3B, K
H. Ramirez, SS: 1-4, SB, K
D. Uggla, 2B: 0-4, 2 K
J. Hermida, RF: 0-4, K
C. Ross, CF: 1-4, 2 K
R. Paulino, C: 0-4, K
W. Helms, 3B: 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 K
A. Sanchez, P: 0-2, K
D. Meyer, P: 0-0
-A. Bonifacio, PH: 0-0, BB
L. Nunez, P: 0-0
-J. Baker, PH: 0-1

A. Sanchez (L, 1-3): 4.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 5 K
D. Meyer: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
K. Calero: 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, K
L. Nunez: 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, K

Record: 14-10
Next Game: Florida (12-12)
Pitching Matchup: Ben Sheets (3-1, 2.30) vs. Andrew Miller (2-1, 7.04)

[Psyblast]

Sheets completely dominates Marlins
Back-to-back complete games for Chicago's new ace


Sheets is establishing himself as Chicago's best pitcher

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 7 1 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 x 6 9 0 W: B. Sheets (4-1) | L: A. Miller (2-2)

Chicago Cubs
A. Soriano, LF: 0-3, BB, K
R. Theriot, SS: 0-4, CS, K
D. Lee, 1B: 2-3, HR (3), HBP, 3 R
A. Ramirez, 3B: 2-4, RBI, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 K
M. Bradley, RF: 3-4, 2 RBI, 2B, R
K. Fukudome, CF: 1-4, RBI, K
K. Hill, C: 1-3, RBI, SF
M. Fontenot, 2B: 0-3
B. Sheets, P: 0-3, K

B. Sheets (W, 4-1): CG, 7 H, ER, 11 K

Florida Marlins
E. Bonafacio, 3B: 2-4, 2B, SB, K
R. Gload, 1B: 1-4, 2 K
H. Ramirez, SS: 1-4, SB, K
D. Uggla, 2B: 1-4, HR (8), 2 K
J. Hermida, RF: 1-4, K
C. Ross, CF: 0-4, GIDP
C. Coghlan, LF: 0-3, 2 K
J. Baker, C: 0-3, 2 K
A. Miller, P: 0-1
D. Meyer, P: 0-0
-R. Paulino, PH: 0-1
K. Calero, P: 0-0
-C. Maybin, PH: 1-1

A. Miller (L, 2-2): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 K
D. Meyer: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
L. Nunez: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K
K. Calero: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
B. Sanches: 1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, K

Record: 15-10
Next Game: San Francisco (8-15)
Pitching Matchup: Carlos Zambrano (1-4, 3.89) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (1-2, 3.91)

[Psyblast]

Zambrano gets off the schneid
Offense finally comes to life for the Cubs' horse


He only lasted 5.2 innings, but the bullpen was lights out in relief of Big Z

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 x 6 10 1 W: C. Zambrano (2-4) | L: J. Sanchez (1-3) | S: K. Gregg (4)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, RF: 0-4, K
M. Fontenot, 2B: 1-4, R
A. Soriano, LF: 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, K
D. Lee, 1b: 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 R
A. Ramirez, 3B: 2-2, 3 RBI, 2 BB, R
G. Soto, C: 2-4, RBI
K. Fukudome, CF: 3-4, 2 RBI
A. Miles, SS: 0-4, K
C. Zambrano, P: 0-2
S. Marshall, P: 0-0
-M. Hoffpauir, PH: 0-1
C. Marmol, P: 0-0
-M. Bradley, PH: 0-1

C. Zambrano (W, 2-4): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 9 K
S. Marshall (H, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
J. Samardzija (H, 1): 1.0 IP, H, 0 R
C. Marmol (H, 2): 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 2 K
K. Gregg (S, 4): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K

San Francisco Giants
E. Burriss, 2B: 2-5, 2B, SB, R, K
E. Renteria, SS: 0-5, RBI, K
A. Rowand, CF: 1-4, RBI, R
B. Molina, C: 2-3, RBI, 2 2B, BB
P. Sandoval, 3B: 2-4, K
F. Lewis, LF: 1-4, SB, 2 K
R. Winn, RF: 0-4, 3 K
R. Aurilia, 1B: 0-4, 3 K
J. Sanchez, P: 1-1
-N. Schierholtz, PH: 1-1, R
J. Miller, P: 0-0
-E. Velez, PH: 0-1
S. Romo, P: 0-0
-C. Timpner, PH: 0-1, K

J. Sanchez (L, 1-3): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
J. Miller: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER
B. Howry: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB
S. Romo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K

Record: 16-10
Next Game: San Francisco (8-16)
Pitching Matchup: Rich Harden (2-1, 2.10) vs. Barry Zito (0-4, 10.06)

[Psyblast]

Harden is shelled
Giants crush Cubs righty, ending Chicago's homestand on a sour note


Harden was sluggish from the start, and was taken apart by San Francisco

Wrigley Field 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 8 14 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 12 0 W: B. Zito (1-4) | L: R. Harden (2-2)

Chicago Cubs
A. Soriano, LF: 1-4, 3B, BB, 2 R, 2 K
M. Fontenot, 2B: 0-4, HBP
D. Lee, 1B: 2-4, 2 RBI, SF
M. Bradley, RF: 1-4, BB, R
G. Soto, C: 2-4, K
K. Fukudome, CF: 1-4
A. Miles, SS: 1-4, GIDP, K
R. Theriot, 3B: 2-4, RBI
R. Harden, P: 0-1, K
S. Marshall, P: 1-2
C. Marmol, P: 0-0
-M. Hoffpauir, PH: 1-1

R. Harden (L, 2-2): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
S. Marshall: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 4 K
C. Marmol: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K

San Francisco Giants
E. Burriss, 2B: 2-4, BB, 2 R, K
E. Renteria, SS: 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B, R, GIDP
A. Rowand, CF: 2-5, RBI, 2B, R, K
B. Molina, C: 1-4, BB, R, 2 K
P. Sandoval, 3B: 1-5, 2 RBI, R
F. Lewis, LF: 1-5, RBI, 2B, R, K
R. Winn, RF: 3-4, 2 RBI, K
R. Aurilia, 1B: 2-4, R, K
B. Zito, P: 0-3, SAC

B. Zito (W, 1-4): 6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
J. Affeldt: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R, K
M. Valdez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K

Record: 16-11
Next Game: @ Houston (17-10)
Pitching Matchup: Ted Lilly (0-4, 4.96) vs. Brian Moehler (2-1, 6.67)

[Psyblast]

No quarter
A-Ram and Bradley play longball as Cubs steamroll into first place tie with Astros


Ramirez was a perfect 5-5 and, along with Milton Bradley, pounded two homeruns

Minute Maid Park 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 3 3 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 13 16 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 9 0 W: T. Lilly (1-4) | L: B. Moehler (2-2)

Chicago Cubs
R. Johnson, LF: 2-5, RBI, 2B, BB, 2 R, K
M. Fontenot, 2B: 2-5, 2 R
D. Lee, 1B: 2-4, 2 RBI, SF, 2 R, K
A. Ramirez, 3B: 5-5, 2 HR (2, 3), 3 RBI, 4 R
M. Bradley, RF: 2-4, 2 HR (3, 4), 4 RBI, BB, K
G. Soto, C: 2-5, 3 RBI, K
K. Fukudome, CF: 1-4, BB, 2 K
R. Theriot, SS: 0-5, GIDP
T. Lilly, P: 0-3, BB, R, 2 K
-A. Guzman, P: 0-1

T. Lilly (W, 1-4): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 K
A. Guzman: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K

Houston Astros
K. Matsui, 2B: 0-4, K
M. Tejada, SS: 3-4, HR (4), 2 R
L. Berkman, 1B: 1-4
C. Lee, LF: 1-4, HR (6), K
H. Pence, RF: 3-4, RBI, K
I. Rodriguez, C: 0-4, 2 K
J. Keppinger, 3B: 0-4, K
M. Bourn, CF: 0-4, K
R. Ortiz, P: 0-1, K
A. Arias, P: 0-0
-H. Quintero, PH: 0-1
T. Byrdak, P: 0-0
-M. Kata, PH: 1-1, 2B
C. Sampson, P: 0-0
-D. Erstad, PH: 0-1

B. Moehler (L, 2-2): 1.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, K
R. Ortiz: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 K
A. Arias: 0.1 IP, H, ER, K
T. Byrdak: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
C. Sampson: 2.0 IP, H, ER

Record: 17-11
Next Game: @ Houston (17-11)
Pitching Matchup: Ryan Dempster (3-0, 2.70) vs. Mike Hampton (3-2, 4.82)

[Brett_OS]

Offense is alive, Lilly comes around to pick up win #1 -- I'd say it's a good day at the ball park.

[Psyblast]

Dempster gets to 4-0
Cubs leave Houston all alone in first place


Gregg gave up a homerun in the 9th, but shut the door after that for the save

Minute Maid Park 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 4 9 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 7 0 W: R. Dempster (4-0) | L: C. Sampson (1-1) | S: K. Gregg (5)

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

R. Dempster (W, 4-0): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
J. Samardzija (H, 2): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
C. Marmol (H, 3): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
K. Gregg (S, 5): 1.0 IP, H, ER, K

Houston Astros
K. Matsui, 2B: 0-5, 4 K
M. Tejada, SS: 1-4, R, 2 K
L. Berkman, 1B: 1-2, BB, HBP, R
C. Lee, LF: 1-4, RBI, 2B
H. Pence, RF: 1-3, RBI, BB, K
I. Rodriguez, C: 1-4, 2 K
G. Blum, 3B: 2-4, HR (2), K
M. Bourn, CF: 0-3
-D. Erstad, PH: 0-1
M. Hampton, P: 0-2, 2 K
D. Brocail, P: 0-0
-J. Keppinger, PH: 0-1, K

M. Hampton: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K
C. Sampson (L, 1-1): 1.1 IP, 4 H, ER, K
L. Hawkins: 1.0 IP, H, ER, K
D. Brocail: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K

Record: 18-11
Next Game: @ Milwaukee (14-15)
Pitching Matchup: Ben Sheets (4-1, 2.01) vs. Jeff Suppan (0-3, 5.86)