6/7 Cubs (Hill) @ Braves (James) 6:35 CSN

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More from the game notes...

 

FLEXING THEIR MUSCLES: The Cubs have homered in a season-high 6 consecutive games dating to June 1 vs. Atlanta … they have 10 homers in this span after managing just to go deep in just 2 of their previous 9 games, May 22-30 (4 homers total).

 

Chicago is looking to homer in 7 consecutive games for the first time since going deep in 12 straight contests, August 5-18, 2006.

 

Cliff Floyd’s solo homer in the sixth inning Tuesday in Milwaukee was just the Cubs second from a right fielder all season … Floyd also went deep as the team’s right fielder May 1 in Pittsburgh … overall, Chicago outfielders have hit 16 home runs this season, with 6 of those coming this month.

 

Chicago is batting .291 over its last 4 contests, going 43-for-148 at the plate and has recorded at least 10 hits in 3 of those games … the squad has plated 28 runs over its last 4 games after scoring a total of 16 runs during their 6-game losing streak, May 27-June 2 … the Cubs are 16-9 when they collect 10 or more hits in a game.

 

Chicago’s relievers have posted a 2.08 ERA (4 ER/17.1 IP) this month after recording a 5.52 (45 ER/73.1 IP) in May … in the team’s last 4 games, Cubs relievers have allowed just 1 earned run in 11.1 innings of work (0.79 ERA) … the Cubs bullpen combined to toss 3.2 scoreless innings Monday night in Milwaukee, their longest scoreless outing of the season since tossing 5.0 shutout innings April 13 vs. Cincinnati.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

A little more from the game notes...

 

Rich, 27, is in his first full season with the Cubs after he made his Major League debut in 2005, appearing in 10 games (four starts) for Chicago … has gone 7-5 with a 2.53 ERA (32 ER/113.2 IP) in his last 17 starts dating to September 1, 2006.

 

Hill established himself as a reliable starter during the second half of last season … went 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA (26 ER/80.0 IP) in 13 games after the All-Star break.

 

Picked up various minor league honors in 2006 … named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team and was the starting pitcher in the contest.

Also was named the left-handed pitcher on the Topps/Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star squad.

 

In 100 minor league games (78 starts), Hill has struck out 626 and walked just 210 in 451.2 innings of work.

 

Was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2002 draft (scout: Scott May).

 

Graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Massachusetts in 1999 … attended the University of Michigan.

 

Rich has limited the opponent to a .197 batting average (50-for-254) … has tossed at least 6.0 innings in 10 of his 11 starts while producing 7 quality starts on the season … has allowed just 1 earned run in 13.0 innings pitched over his last 2 starts (0.69 ERA).

 

Of his 11 starts this season, 7 have come on the road.

 

Has a 2.03 ERA (6 ER/26.2 IP) in 4 home starts and a 3.40 ERA (17 ER/45.0 IP) in 7 road starts.

 

Produced a 1.73 ERA (8 ER/41.2 IP) over his first 6 starts, April 6-May 5, compiling a 4-1 record, but has posted a 4.50 ERA (15 ER/30.0 IP) over his last 5 outings, May 11-June 2, with an 0-3 record.

 

Was 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA (7 ER/35.2 IP) in 5 April outings … went 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA (15 ER/29.0 IP) in 5 May starts.

 

Opponents are batting just .205 (9-for-44) with runners in scoring position.

 

The offense has scored just 13 runs over his last 8 starts while he has been in the game, dating to April 24 (1.6 runs per game).

[Andy]

I expect Fonzie will drop to the 4 spot until ARam comes back. Theriot will probably lead off with DeRosa hitting 2nd against lefties and Pie against righties I imagine.

 

It's going to be a really weird lineup the next few days, in short.

[cubscausestress]

well, i guess i'll have to fire up the proxy server to watch this one tonight. damn blackouts.

[dew1679666265]

For those currently in the Southeast, I also believe you can see tonight's game on Turner South.

 

It's actually Sports South now. They dropped Turner after Uncle Ted sold his share of the Braves. Fox Sports South then bought Turner South and re-named it Sports South.

 

Oh, so that's what the crazy logo on my TV is. It took me forever to find that channel to make sure that the game was on it, and that's because I didn't realize the logo had changed.

 

I wasn't sure what happened to Turner South either. I never really watched anything on it except the occasional movie and Braves games, but watched less of them when the Fox Sports South crew started doing the Turner South games.

 

Then all of a sudden I didn't see Turner South for the longest time, but this new station popped up called SS on my guide. Later, I found out what happened. It kinda sucks because every once in a while Turner South actually showed good movies.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Dammit I was 100% certain this game was on WGN. :(

[rabidawg900]

TBS!

[BigSlick]

Is there any doubt that Soriano is heating up just around the time that Pie is in the lineup...just like the last time he started hitting homers?

 

He can't play without his buddy in the lineup

[Bruce Miles]

Lineups

 

Cubs

Soriano, LF

Pie, CF

Lee, 1B

Murton, RF

Barrett, C

DeRosa, 3B

Theriot, 2B

Izturis, SS

Hill, P

 

Braves

Johnson, 2B

Escobar, 3B

Renteria, SS

A. Jones, CF

Francoeuer, RF

Diaz, LF

McCann, C

Thorman, 1B

James, P

[ctcf]

Wow

 

Nicely done Lou

[Rob]

Lineups

 

Cubs

Soriano, LF

Pie, CF

Lee, 1B

Murton, RF

Barrett, C

DeRosa, 3B

Theriot, 2B

Izturis, SS

Hill, P

 

Braves

Johnson, 2B

Escobar, 3B

Renteria, SS

A. Jones, CF

Francoeuer, RF

Diaz, LF

McCann, C

Thorman, 1B

James, P

 

Nice lineup... thanks Bruce!

[moorecg]

Wow

 

Nicely done Lou

 

Agree..Great lineup...(now watch us stink)

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Big Murt batting cleanup. Interesting.

[USSoccer]

Any updates on Aramis' injury?

[CubColtPacer]

Pie shouldn't be batting 2nd against a left-hander. I'm fine with him being in the lineup over somebody like Pagan against a left-hander, because Pie brings some other things to the table. Right now though, batting Pie 2nd against LHP is like batting Jones 2nd against LHP (or maybe even a little worse from his numbers in the minors the last year and a half)-if Jones was penciled into that 2 spot right now, people would be calling Lou an idiot. I would have moved Theriot to 2 and Pie down to 7.

[moorecg]

Pie shouldn't be batting 2nd against a left-hander. I'm fine with him being in the lineup over somebody like Pagan against a left-hander, because Pie brings some other things to the table. Right now though, batting Pie 2nd against LHP is like batting Jones 2nd against LHP (or maybe even a little worse from his numbers in the minors the last year and a half)-if Jones was penciled into that 2 spot right now, people would be calling Lou an idiot. I would have moved Theriot to 2 and Pie down to 7.

Maybe...but I'm a consistency guy...I like the idea of a regular line up...and with the players available I like this one.

[Bruce Miles]

Any updates on Aramis' injury?

 

"Severe" case of patella tendinitis. He'll likely arrive here tomorrow and be available to pinch hit this weekend. They'd rather have him sit until Monday and then re-evaluate.

[USSoccer]

Any updates on Aramis' injury?

 

"Severe" case of patella tendinitis. He'll likely arrive here tomorrow and be available to pinch hit this weekend. They'd rather have him sit until Monday and then re-evaluate.

 

Ugh. I don't like knee injuries. The patella tendon is also not something you want to be tearing.

[otis89]

TBS!

 

No such luck. :(

[NewUserName]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

[Bruce Miles]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

 

Lou said they might have to call up an infielder

[OleMissCub]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

 

Lou said they might have to call up an infielder

 

PATTERSON!!!

[otis89]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

 

Lou said they might have to call up an infielder

 

PATTERSON!!!

 

More likely Fontenot or Cedeno, since they're both on the 40-man.

[Bruce Miles]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

 

Lou said they might have to call up an infielder

 

PATTERSON!!!

 

More likely Fontenot or Cedeno, since they're both on the 40-man.

 

That's probably right.

[OleMissCub]

Are they working Soriano out at 2ndbase just in case they need someone? I havent seen that an IF has been called up.

 

Lou said they might have to call up an infielder

 

PATTERSON!!!

 

More likely Fontenot or Cedeno, since they're both on the 40-man.

 

That's probably right.

 

Ya, they'd probably need someone who has experience at third as well, and I don't think E-Patt has anyone.

 

Bruce, is there any truth to the suggestion that E-Patt is playing in the OF more often because his defense is suspect at 2nd?