"We need him to start hitting," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before Sunday night's game against the Cardinals. "If not, I'm going to have to start looking for other options."

Fukudome's batting average splits have decreased each month: .305 in April, .293 in May, .264 in June, .236 in July and .125 in 24 August at-bats. He has one home run since the Fourth of July and has started sitting against the occasional left-hander.

Meanwhile, reserve infielder Mike Fontenot is .406 (13-for-32) since the All-Star break. Platoon outfielder Reed Johnson is even hotter, .474 (18-for-38) in the second half.

From MLB.com

I know he's slumping -- but I didn't think Pinella would be bold in sitting Fukudome (who has a 48 million - 4 year deal).

Fukudome looks like a completely different player than what he was in the beginning part of the season (besides his defense). But if Fukudome continues to struggle this month, would you sit him if you were Lou?

Making it 8?

Wood will not play in the 2008 All-Star Game but will attend the festivities. Marmol (2-3, 4.13 ERA, 3 Sv, 52.1 IP, 29 H, 70 SO) was selected because he was the relief pitcher who received the next highest vote total on the Player Ballot.

Press Release (MLB.com)

I'm hoping he doesn't pitch in the game -- he really needs the time off, maybe even moreso than Wood.

Due to all the dramatics in the latter inning -- the orginal story of the game on Saturday was how well Rich Harden pitched. I've only seen the guy pitch via SportsCenter highlights and I was really, really impressed. Not only that - I love the guys attitude - he doesn't avoid questions, seems like a real stand up guy and really doesn't sugarcoat anything. If the guy stays healthy, he has one hell of a future as a Chicago Cub.

Just my input. Onto the articles:

Harden gets first taste of Cubs (also video post-game press conference of Saturday's win vs. Giants) (Courtesy of ChicagoSports.com)

Harden enjoys Wrigley experience (Courtesy of MLB.com) (Note: some of the quotes are the same as the previous article)

Another quickie tonight.

MINOR LEAGUE SWEEP TONIGHT!

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs beat the Round Rock Express, 8 to 2.

Justin Berg started today and lasted 5 innings -- during that span he allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (0 earned), 3 BB and 5 K. Berg is now 4-4 on the season.

Koyie Hill hit his 8th homer of the year on his 2 for 4 day. Jason Dubois hit his 13th homer of the year. And no Micah Hoffpauir didn't hit a double today. He actually didn't even get any hits today -- the Hoff was 0 for 3.

The I-Cubs are now 19 games over .500, with a 56-37 record, 4.5 games ahead in first.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies beat the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, 5 to 2.

Mark Holliman started and lasted 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Matt Avery picked up the win in relief.

Josh Lansford had a nice day, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Tyler Colvin was 1 for 4 with a triple.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs beat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 8 to 5

Billy Muldowney started today and picked up the win. Muldowney allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.

Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 5 with a double and a triple. Thomas drove in one. His average for the year now stands at .271.

Peoria Chiefs

OFF DAY

Boise Hawks

OFF DAY

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs beat the AZL Mariners, 6 to 3.

I'm sorry this is up so late. I had to work some overtime to pay for some extra baby stuff. I'm so tired. I will ask all questions as soon as possible.

Quick recap tonight.

Iowa Cubs

Game postponed due to rain.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies narrowly beat the Carolina Mudcats 8 to 7. (10 innings)

Donnie Veal turned a dominating start -- over 5.2 innings he allowed 1 run on 4 hits, 3 walks and Veal struck out 9.

Casey Lambert got the win in relief by pitching a scoreless 9th. Jose Ceda picked up his fifth save.

Tyler Colvin was 1 for 4 with a 2-run double. Jake Fox was also 1 for 4 with a 2-run homer

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 7 to 4.

Marco Carrillo started and picked up the loss. Carrillo lasted 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Second baseman Tony Thomas had a nice day, going 3 for 5 with a run scored. His season average stands at .269.

Peoria Chiefs

Peoria lost to the Quad Cities Bandits, 8 to 2.

Robert Hernandez started and picked up the loss. Hernandez pitched 4.2 innings and over that span, allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Catcher Luis Bautista had the only notable day, providing all 2 of Peoria's runs on his 9th home run of the year. Overall Bautista was 2 for 4 for the day.

Boise Hawks

Boise beat the Vancouver Canadians, 8 to 1.

Casey Coleman started and pitched pretty well. Coleman allowed 1 run over four innings on 2 hits and no walks. Coleman struck out 4.

Tommy Mejia picked up the win in relief.

Outfielder Kyler Burke was a one man wrecking crew, hitting his second home run of the season and driving in 6 of the 8 Hawks runs today.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs beat up the AZL Giants, 17 to 4.

Eric Allen picked up the win in relief despite allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. Allen didn't walk nor strike out a batter.

Matthew Cerda had a good day, going 2 for 4 and 3 runs scored. Cerda drove in 1.

Jericho Jones had a monster game, going 4 for 5 with a double, triple and 3 runs scored. Jones walked once and drove in 3.

 Quote Of The Day: You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs beat the AZL Brewers, winning 6 to 1. 

Did Rich Hill finally figure it out? We can only hope so -- as he dominated the AZL Brewers today by throwing 4 shutout innings today. Hill's overall line was: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, and 6 K. Hopefully he is reassigned to AAA and starts dominating there also.

Ryan Acosta pitched one inning of relief, allowing no hits, while walking one and striking out three.

Yohan Gonzalez pitched 3 innings of relief and picked up the win. Gonzalez allowed one unearned run, while walking one and striking out two.

Nelson Perez hit a home run and drove in two for the day.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs whipped up on the Oklahoma RedHawks, winning 12 to 5.

Kevin Hart picked up the win, going the minimum 5 IP, allowing three runs on three hits. Hart walked two, and struck out five.

I'm starting to worry about Jose Ascanio. He pitched an inning, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. He didn't record a single strikeout. A guy with the stuff of his caliber -- should be dominating AAA hitters.

Micah Hoffpauir had a nice day going 3 for 5 with a double (wow, who would of thunk it?), and a solo home run. Hoffpauir drove in two for the day. Jason Dubois had a 3 for 4 day -- hitting his 12th home run of the year. Dubois drove in three.

For those wondering, Felix Pie had a 1 for 5 day with a walk and a strikeout.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennesse Smokies dominated the Carolina Mudcats, winning 8 to 0.

Mitch Atkins dominated in his 7.1 IP. He allowed 5 hits and no runs. Atkins walked one and struck out three.

Tyler Colvin had a big day -- going 4 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Colvin also stole his sixth base of the year. 

Kyle Reynolds and Jake Fox both provided two run home runs.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona used a 3-run 9th to beat the Brevard County Manatees, 7 to 4.

Hung-Wen Chen started and pitched 5.2 innings -- allowing four hits and three runs (all via HR), walking one and striking out two.

I'm not sure if you all have seen it, but Chen is a featured player on Peoria's website and he was asked some questions and you can see his answers here.

Todd Blackford got the win in relief despite allowing an inherited run to score, via sacrifice fly. Overall Blackford pitched 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and no runs. Blackwell walked one and struck out no one.

Nobody on Daytona had any extra basehits today, although, leadoff hitter James Adduci had two RBI on the day. DH Blake Lalli was 1-4 with 3 RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs shutout the Quad Cities Bandits, winning 1 to 0.

Chris Siegfried pitched 5 innings of shutout ball, allowing only one hit. Siegfried walked none and struck out one. Stephen Vento pitched the final two innings for his 9th save of the year. Vento walked one and struck out two.

Marquez Smith went 2 for 4 with his 14th home run of the year. That solo shot proved to be the game-winning homer. 

Boise Hawks

Boise made it close in the latter innings, but eventually lost to the Vancouver Canadians, 10 to 7.

James Leverton took the lost today -- pitching 4 innings and allowing five runs on six hits. Leverton walked one and struck out three.

1st baseman Rebel Ridling continues to hit, going 2 for 4 with his 4th homerun on the year. Catcher Carlos Perez had a 3 for 5 day with two doubles.

Josh Vitters went 0 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Happy, joyful, enjoyable day today for me. Me and my wife got accepted for our first house together -- and it's a beautiful home. We went to one of our (birthing) classes today, and I went to work and everything seems to be going our way lately. Now, only if Rich Hill could say the same.

AZL Cubs will go first, due to Rich Hill making the start.

AZL Cubs

As bergs55 stated in his diary, Rich Hill continues to be one of the biggest disappoinments in a long time. It's beyond sad on what's happened to him. He's actually older than C.C Sabathia (28), so Hill should be nearing his peak sometime soon. Unfortunately, he's on the downfall, at the very least with the Cubs organization.

Hill's line against rookie ball hitters was 1/3 IP, one hit, five runs (three earned). Hill walked five and struck out no one. Hill eventually took the loss as the AZL Cubs lost to the AZL Padres, 9 to 2.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs beat the Omaha Royals, 10 to 4.

Kevin Hart started the game, pitching 3.2 innings of 2-hit shutout ball. Hart struck out four, but walked two. Mike Burns got the win in relief, lasting 4.1 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Burns didn't walk a batter and struck out five.

Felix Pie is back in AAA, and is seriously starting to hit like we all thought he would. Pie went 2 for 4 overall, hitting his fifth home run of the year. Pie scored twice and drove in two. He walked once, and didn't strike out at all. I guess he's the anti-Rich Hill.

Casey McGehee had three hits on the day, raising his average to .282 for the year. McGehee drove in two.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Huntsville Stars, 6 to 4.

Mitch Atkins started and picked up the win, lasting 7 innings while giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. Atkins didn't walk a soul and struck out eight.

Jose Ceda is starting to get used to this closer thing. Ceda pitched the last 4 outs of the game, didn't allow a hit and struck out two. Since being promoted to AA, Ceda has pitched 10 innings of relief for Tennessee, allowing one run on seven hits, striking out 17 and only walking 2. His ERA right now is 0.90.

Catcher Mark Reed had the only notable line of the night, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and 3 RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs squeak by the St. Lucie Mets, winning 7 to 6 (10 innings).

Hung-Wen Chen started and pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Chen struck out nine and didn't walk anyone. Blake Parker who has been reassigned to Daytona from Iowa (he was orginally in Peoria), picked up the win striking out the only two batters he faced.

Tony Thomas was 1 for 6 but his lone hit drove in the game-winning run in 10th inning. Robinson Chirinos, Steve Clevenger and Jonathan Mota all hit home runs in the game.

Ryan Harvey was 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs beat the Wisconsin Rattlers, 5 to 1.

Kevin Kreier started the game, pitching 3.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit. Kreier walked three and struck out two. Zachary Ashwood picked up the win in relief, pitching 3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and no walks. Ashwood struck out two.

Shortstop Nate Samson went 2 for 4 on the day, scoring once. Jovan Rosa went 1 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks beat the Tri-City Dust Devils, 5 to 3.

Mike Perconte started and lasted 3.2 innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks. Perconte struck out five. Casey Coleman picked up the win in relief, pitching 3 innings while allowing one run on five hits and one walk. Coleman struck out seven.

John Muller pitched the final 2 innings, resulting in a save. Muller struck out all six batters he faced.

Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 tonight with a triple and two RBI. Kurt Calvert was 3 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.

Josh Vitters did not play. Hopefully Josh gets to see him play.

Goodnight all. I'm going to get some much needed rest. If you have any questions or concerns, you leave them here and I will be sure to respond once I get the chance!

First off -- this diary is not implying that we know what type of personality these players actually have, it's just a fun diary, just to see what type of people we have here at BCB. Let me give the players that are eligible and what type of personality they seem to have:

Alfonso Soriano - Fun loving, easy going, a team player. Likes the spotlight. Enjoys pressure, and strong as steel.

Derrek Lee - A born leader. Filled with passion. You always do your part. Don't care if you do well, as long as the task at hand is complete.

Geovany Soto - Wise beyond your years. Also a born leader. Optimist. You always look at the bright side of things. You look out for others.

Kerry Wood - You're a bad ass. You are the best at whatever you do. At the same time, you're passionate about what you do, and you're heart is genuine.

Carlos Zambrano - You're a hot-head. If you're mad, don't talk to you. If you're in a playful mood, then you'd better laugh when I make a joke. You're the center of attention. Without you life is boring.

Aramis Ramirez - You're shy, laidback, but you get you're job done. A silent leader. You speak when needed. Basically -- you're as cool as the other side of the pillow.

Kosuke Fukudome - You're smart, you're polite. You try to fit in no matter how ackward the situation. You always are up for the challenge of whatever situation.

Sean Gallagher - You're the class clown. People keep doubting you, but some how you keep exceeding expections. All you need is a chance. You're always in a good mood.

Ted Lilly - You're strictly business. You do you're job and you expect it to be done. When things don't go you're way, however, you get extremely frustrated at yourself.

Mark DeRosa - You're a fun loving, big hearted person. You enjoy life, and you're a leader. You defend everyone you care for.

Ryan Dempster - You're a jokester, but when it time to be serious you are strickly business. A mix between Gallagher and Lilly. You think you can do anything you put your mind to.

Ryan Theriot - You're as resilient as a tiger. You keep working no matter how much success you've accomplished. You're a true fighter.

Carlos Marmol - A strong, dominate person. If you get knocked down on your back but you dust yourself off and try again. You will talk trash, but you back it up.

Me? I'm Aramis Ramirez. What about you guys?

Well it's official, Zambrano is on the DL, retroactive to June 19. For more info, click here. 

Eric Patterson is avaliable to play today (June 21), and my guess is that either Cotts, Murton, Patterson or Micah will be sent down Tuesday so Marshall can start Tuesday.

I'm only at 48 words right now.. so I'm gonna keep typing until I get to 75 words. I can't wait til today's game. Can you? Am I at 75 words yet? Lemme check.

Yep!

Quick recap tonight. Here's what's going on in my mind right now:

 If the Cubs are going to acquire a starting pitcher, or an outfielder, I feel like they would have have enough prospects to grab a high caliber player. Players such as C.C. Sabathia, Rich Harden, and Ken Griffey Jr. would be ideal fits, while the latter of those names would be risky and not worth selling the farm for -- we could intrigue some teams in dealing with us before the July 31st deadline. Not to throw rumors around, but I think the Indians would be intrested in a package such as Donald Veal, Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Eric Patterson & Jose Ceda for C.C. Sabathia, though that seem a little steep for a player that is a free agent at the end of the year. A rotation of Zambrano-Sabathia-Dempster-Lilly-Gallagher would be potentially the best rotation in baseball, and better than the much hyped 2004 Cub rotation, IMO.

Enough with my rambling! Onto the games!

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs beat the Memphis Redbirds, 4 to 3.

Randy Wells continues to dominate AAA, as he picked up sixth win today. Wells lasted 6 innings, allowing one run on 5 hits, walking none, and striking out four.

Jose Ascanio picked up his eleventh save, but made the game tighter than it should of been. Ascanio pitched 1.1 innings of relief, allowing two run on two hits, walking one and striking out one.

While Randy Wells continues to dominate AAA hitters, Eric Patterson continues to dominate AAA pitchers. Patterson went 3 for 5, scoring once, and had 2 RBI.

Felix Pie, went 0 for 4, but he did draw a walk.

Tennessee Smokies

Spent their off day laughing at Mitch Atkins profile picture.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs lost to Dunedin Blue Jays, 8 to 6.

Alessandro Maestri started and pitched well, going 5 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out three.

Jayson Ruhlman blew a one run lead in the seventh, by giving up two runs, and then gave up three more runs in the following inning. Overall, Ruhlman pitched 2 innings allowing five runs (four earned), on five hits, walking two and striking out two.

Ryan Harvey went 2 for 4 with 2 HR and 3 RBI. Steve Clevenger also went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs lost to the Quad Cities River Bandits, 8 to 5.

Chris Siegfried started and took the loss. Siegfried got pounded in the 2 innings hit pitched, allowing six runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out three.

Jordan Latham pitched 2 innings of relief, and didn't allow a run, hit, or a walk. Latham struck out four.

Marquez Smith went 2 for 3, with a HR and 4 RBI. Smith also walked twice. Nate Samson went 2 for 2 with a RBI.