Cub Tracks’ Monongahela monsters

The simCubs evened up the series behind Tyler Chatwood, who went four strong innings as the opener, and Alec Mills, who has proven to be a dependable horse out of the pen, and took the Phil Regan Award. Mills and relative newcomer Jesus Luzardo pitch just about every day and are effective. It’s not like teams get a break when those guys trot in.

Willson Contreras drove in the first two runs with a clutch single and TOOTBLAN, Jason Heyward got credit for an RBI on an error by Pittsburgh first sacker Josh Bell, Nico Hoerner continued to be clutch with a pinch single and ribeye, and then Javier Baez went yardarm for four runs and the rout was on. Cubs pitchers kept the score at one against and we got past technical errors well enough for the Cubs to bring a road victory home.

Today, Steven Brault, newly-returned to the Pirate rotation, will face renascent Yu Darvish in the rubber game. Al will have more in the game post (at 2:30 p.m. CT, for our 3 p.m. start). I’ll drop the specific URL to the contest in the game thread, but you can lurk at the BCB Media Center and catch it there as well. All past games and highlights reels are available there too, if you want the full #simCubs experience.

And now, here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, the only links column that really matters. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs are cutting salaries for non-playing employees, from manager David Ross on down. “The percentage of the cuts vary, with higher-salaried employees receiving cuts of up to 35%, the source said, while the majority of the cuts are 20% or lower.” Brett Taylor reports on this. Maddie Lee looks at how the Cubs compare to the rest of the league. Patrick Mooney elaborates {$}.

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Finally, some movement: MLB owners reportedly will present financial proposal to players on Friday. Per Bob Nightengale.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Owners’ ultimatum to players: Negotiate new pay structure or wait until fans can attend. “According to Jon Heyman, recent talks have included a hard-line choice between negotiating a pay structure other than prorated salaries or waiting to play until fans can attend games.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): The Cubs’ best off the bench: Bastian’s take. Thad Bosley, agreed.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Michael Barrett draws value from 2006 Cubs-White Sox fight. “Always be prepared for a collision.”
• Luke Norris (Sportscasting): What happened to former Chicago Cubs phenom Mark Prior? “... Prior is still hoping to leave a lasting legacy in MLB as a coach.”
• Ken Schultz (Outsports): Underdog: Mike Montgomery threw the greatest pitch in Cubs history. “Montgomery became the hero Chicago needed.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): What the National League will lose when MLB implements the universal DH. “Whose jaw didn’t drop when Travis Wood hit a grand slam during the 2013 Crosstown Classic ...”
• Tim Stebbin (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs shortstop Javier Báez’ response to critics: ‘Let the kids play’. “In my personal opinion, I would like to teach young people growing up to enjoy [the game],” Báez said. “And if they fail, fail having fun. And keep doing what is right. Let the kids play.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Former Cubs SS Ryan Theriot to MLB players: ‘Stick to [your] guns’. “No matter what happens with this and how it plays out … if [players] don’t concede and stand their ground, like they should, then they come out looking like the bad guys.”
• Cubs birthdays: Karl Spongberg, Dick Ward, El Tappe, Moe Thacker, Bob Molinaro, Jacob Turner. Also notable: Earl Averill HOF, Bobby Cox HOF.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!