Z Power! - Cubs 12, Dodgers 3 - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Z Power! - Cubs 12, Dodgers 3

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 6:17 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 64 comments

I freely admit this: I followed almost none of this afternoon's game, because when it's 75 degrees and sunny in Chicago in mid-March, it is far too nice to sit in the house when the game's not on radio or TV.

photo via d.yimg.com

The Cubs beat the Dodgers 12-3, behind a 17-hit attack that was led by... Carlos Zambrano? Yes, that's right. Z had a three-run homer and an RBI double and since most pitchers don't get two at-bats in a spring training game, much less get two hits, I'm sure Z was much prouder of his batting performance than his five innings of pitching, in which he allowed three hits and all three Dodger runs.

Koyie Hill had four hits including a two-run homer and is now hitting .414 for the spring. Yes, I know. Spring stats. Meaningless. Still, if Lou is evaluating Hill vs. Paul Bako, what else does he have to go on? Neither one of them has hit much during the regular season, and Hill's outhitting Bako now. If Hill could hit 150 points lower than that in the regular season, he would be a useful backup catcher. Reed Johnson had three hits and Andres Blanco, who's still around camp (hmmm... maybe he still has a shot at the backup IF job) had two hits, two runs scored and two RBI.

The bullpen, today consisting of Sean Marshall, getting in some work, Neal Cotts, Randy Wells and Kevin Gregg, allowed two hits and no walks in four innings today, a nice performance. I still think Gregg seems better suited for exactly what he did today: come in to start an inning (preferably, the ninth), with no one out and no one on. Carlos Marmol can put out the 7th and 8th inning fires and set up. That's how I would do it, anyway.

Really, you could have gotten all of this from the box score, like I did. It was a good day for Z. It was a gorgeous day in Chicago. Hope you were out enjoying it, too, especially because it's a one-day early spring treat; back to reality and the 50's this weekend.

Tomorrow, Ryan Dempster will face the Giants' Tim Lincecum. Originally, Randy Johnson was to have thrown for San Francisco tomorrow, but he has a "tiny touch of bicep soreness", according to manager Bruce Bochy. The game will be available at the MLB.com Mediacenter via MLB.com announcers.

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Z should DH

If he isn’t pitching during inter-league play

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Mar 17, 2009 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno.

Yeah, he had a great day today. But there are times he strikes out and looks really bad doing it. Do we need the bats broken over the leg act again?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I know it would never happen

just think Z would be ecstatic.

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Mar 17, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course he would.

The danger is that he’d have a GOOD day and then he’d want to hit EVERY day.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or injure a knee

trying to turn a single into a triple

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't he already want to hit every day?

by chitownhawkeye on Mar 17, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just like our LF'er.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 17, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and RF'er

he did the break-a-bat-after-a-K in one of his few ABs so far.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 17, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

don’t need him to strain his shoulder or elbow on that mighty swing of his.

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 18, 2009 4:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

who has the better arm

Hill or Bako for gunning down runners? That is possibly the only place Bako might have an advantage at this point.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think they're pretty much a wash.

Both are decent, not great. Hill is seven years younger, and a switch-hitter.

We’re talking about a guy who might start 20 games this year. I say go with the younger guy.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are many considerations that only the eye of a coaching staff can say for certain

But of Hill came to camp really ready and recovered from his self-inflicted saw off fingers where he can actually give an AB and actually start 20-25 games and prepare the staff like it has been said, you love to give a lower 20 roster spot to a guy who has worked his way on.

This team is forming an interesting nucleus, Theriot, Fontenot, Johnson, K Hill(?) Miles, Lilly, Vzcaino, Cotts, and possibly Koskie(?), nothing like overachievers who are grinding workers.

Nothing like those kind of players, for in reality DLee, Fukudome, Dempster are also workers who developed their games.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 17, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nucleus...?

Theriot? I guess
Fontenot? Maybe
Reed Johnson? Really more of role player
Koyie Hill? MIles? Koskie?

Those aren’t the nucleus of the team. They’re the backups and role players on this team. You want to talk about the nucleus? Geo, Ramirez, and Zambrano are really it. The guys you build a team around.

by northernsails on Mar 17, 2009 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

any chance of Bako going to Iowa or Tenn

and working with the younger pitchers?

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it.

If he doesn’t make the team, he’ll probably retire.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs might want to think of releasing him early enough for him to catch on

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 17, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blanco. ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 17, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lilly gives up a long home run

Dunn looks like he’s fitting in quite well for Team USA in RF, just saying..

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

BUT...BUT...BUT...He's a terrible outfielder remember?

A terrible healthy outfielder.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 17, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and..who gets the FLU in ARIZONA??

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prior got pneumonia out there one ST, which led to another season of towel throwing

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh, well comparing MB to Prior is definitely not reassuring..

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

point taken

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 17, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Steve Stone get some disease while he was out there one spring training?

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 17, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Herp?

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Mar 17, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that one.

It was Valley Fever, IIRC.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 17, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was Valley Fever.

That’s serious business, and one reason he had to sit out two years while we were subjected to Joe Carter.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh yes, Joe Carter

Joe once asked Jim Mcmahon if he still fights with Pete Rozelle. Jim said, "No he’s dead. Crickets.

by Employee22 on Mar 17, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The clap

by BLou on Mar 17, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be happy with .260-.270

for any backup catcher for the Cubs, I just wish they would have brought Hank White back for one more year. He had a few clutch hits with the Cubs, above average defensively, and we all know how well him and Soto worked together.

I'm finally moving on...

by slocs55 on Mar 17, 2009 7:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But what if I told you could trade in Hank White

for a younger Andy White model, who could backup multiple infield positions?

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 17, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A backup catcher is on this earth to work well with pitchers and play good defense

It’s doesn’t matter a whole lot what a backup catcher hits when you have Geovany Soto as your primary catcher.

Paul Bako will be the choice. And rightily so. Koyie Hill is good at nothing, other than having the bus directions to all Triple A ballparks across the country memorized in his head.

by BLou on Mar 17, 2009 7:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hill will be the choice, because...

… Lou does get mesmerized by good spring trainings. It’s the reason Micah Hoffpauir even appeared on Cubs radar — he impressed Lou last spring.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 17, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

because Lou worked his way into the lineup by competing

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 17, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Lou already declare

Hoff will break camp?

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A backhanded compliment of Sweet Lou ???

I’m not quite sure I understand the ax you have to grind with Lou Piniella. But make no mistake it surfaces.

Actually, with Derrek Lee continuing to hit like a player that is 40 I’m starting to think Micah Hoffpauir could actually play a legitimate role at 1st base in 2009. But it still doesn’t solve the perplexing need for a strong defensive utility infielder who can help out at 3rd base and shortstop. And with the way our bullpen is scaring the living daylights out of me I doubt seriously the Cubs only go with 11 pitchers for too long.

by BLou on Mar 17, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have an ax to grind. I like Lou.

But he sometimes gets fixated on certain things, or puts people in the doghouse where they never get out, and that’s to the detriment of the team.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 18, 2009 4:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While it does not rank with dumping DeRo

For 2.5 million savings. if they choose Hill over Bako , they save $325.000 which may be real money these days
However Lou’s love of vets may trump Hill’s better hitting and versaltility. It is not clear if they can stash Hill in the minors if they go with Bako.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 17, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Hill much better, Bako has showed nothing more than what Hill has done

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just hope

they go with Hill for whatever reason.

by sue369 on Mar 18, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My money is on Hill

I thought that Bako had the edge going in, but with the Soto-less Cubs giving them all kinds of at-bats, it really appears Hill has the advantage at this point. He’s definitely got more pop than Bako, and he switch hits, right?

I can’t say I’d be unhappy with either of them, though.

by JodyDavis on Mar 18, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The US is about to lose to Puerto Rico

Now this is embarrassing. We can’t beat a tourney that WE created!!

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not only can we not beat a tourney we created

we can’t even win a game in a tourney we created.

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Mar 17, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

against our own territory!

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 17, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ye of little faith...

USA gets 3 in the btm of the 9th to win and advance to the semi-finals

by MillsChC on Mar 17, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone forgot to tell

David Wright.

by Josh77 on Mar 17, 2009 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That means Geo is back to ST!!!!!

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 18, 2009 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted Lilly is still out

by Josh77 on Mar 18, 2009 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lilly may not pitch again in the WBC.

With the USA in the semi’s, there are only two more possible games, either this Saturday or Sunday, and the final on Monday. I suspect Roy Oswalt starts one of them.

Jake Peavy may start the other one, if there is one.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 18, 2009 4:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is also today's

meaningless seeding game versus Venezuela. So, actually there are 3, but I don’t see Lilly pitching in any of them, unless it’s in relief.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 18, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hallelujah!

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 18, 2009 4:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

holy hell

what a remarkable finish, too bad I didn’t watch it

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 18, 2009 6:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm...drunk.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 17, 2009 11:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What?!

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 18, 2009 4:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bout Dam time they hit

wow save some of them 17 hits for when the season starts, will ya? I see D Lee isn’t even hitting his weight (.179) And he doesn’t seem to concerned. I’d be looking over my shoulder or calling my agent, or calling my mama, LOL

"It was a wise Man that invented Beer" (Plato)

by LarryCubFan on Mar 18, 2009 2:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I watched a bit of the game on Saturday

Lee was up with a man on first. Lets a couple decent pitches go, goes after a pitch down and away and tries to pull it. End result, DP. He has been saying all spring about getting good AB’s, and he continues to chase the crap, just like the 2nd half of last year.

I know batting practice means nothing, but he was hitting line drive after line drive all over the field the other day, with a couple of dingers. I think he’s trying too hard and not relaxing during games, even the ST games.

Lou is going to have to make a tough decision about Lee’s playing time this year if Lee can’t get it going.

We all agree he’s not a #3 hitter, but Lou will plant him there until he rots.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 18, 2009 3:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reminder.

Lee hit like this last spring, too (he hit .163). Then he had one of the best Aprils of his career.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 18, 2009 4:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad the rest of the season...

didn’t really pan out the way he wanted it to.

Still, I think that Lee is capable of improving on the past 2 years.

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 18, 2009 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On a Dodger note...

Damn are they in a bit of trouble.

Their rotation is in shambles. Why aren’t THEY going after Pedro??

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Mar 18, 2009 4:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

Surprising. Of course, the reports could be just rumors, although the Astros have scheduled a press conference this morning.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 18, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

However.

The Astros say they have had no contact with Pedro.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 18, 2009 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish circumstances were such

That we could kick the tires on Pedro. I know he’s not what he used to be, but even when he’s mediocre he still has that attitude, and he’s a winner. But we already have too many pitchers with undefined roles, and he’ll probably cost someone 3 or 4 million.

by JodyDavis on Mar 18, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The press conference was about Aaron Boone

Going to have open heart surgery to correct a congenital defect in a valve. The doctors do think that he can play baseball after recovery, but he is not sure if he will at this point. Best of luck Aaron.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090318/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_astros_boone_surgery

by Qixotl on Mar 18, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs