Dusty Says

Through August 27th, the Cubs have had the following offensive/defensive (batting) splits:

Homeruns received: 156
Homeruns hit: 157

Hits: 1220
Hits allowed: 1083

Walks drawn: 341
Walks given up: 469

More statistics next week.

Not a lot of notes this week; actually, it was a pretty calm week for the team in terms of movements, trades and such.

An article by the MiLB about Brian Dopirak can be found here. Very good read.

Earlier today, before the game, Rich Hill was optioned to Iowa and John Koronka was recalled. Koronka will work as the lefty out of the bullpen and Glendon Rusch will take Hill’s rotation spot. Hill, who has an ERA over seven, will start normally in Iowa.

“Wow! I apologize for putting people on the edge of their seats back in Chicago,” said Dempster, a converted starter who became the Cubs’ closer in May. “That was the most stressful one I’ve been through.”
— Ryan Dempster.

We forgive you.

That’s what the Cubs don’t have. Though, take a look at this:

The Devil Rays have it. That’s been the common last inning rotation post the break. Look at their statistics; their peripherals. And yes, that’s the Joe Borowski you’re thiking of. 9 1/3 scoreless innings after he joined the Devil Rays.

Enough about what we lack.

Today’s game was a tough one. The Cubs barely wasted another great outing by Carlos Zambrano, in which he went eight innings of shutout ball. Redster relieved him, and after getting an out, he walked four batters in a row. Four. Four. Of course, a run scored, but he beared down (oh, so did Dusty) and struck out David Bell plus a pinch hitter to get the win, 2-1 over the Phillies, in Citizens Bank Park.

Matt Lawton (2-5) looked great leading off before the new Hairston-Lee duo and was part of the resurgence of the Cubs’ bat, though they only scored two runs. Those were driven in by Aramis Ramirez via a two RBI single.

Zambrano (8-4) earned a win, finally, and has went 4-0 with a sub 1.49ERA in his last seven starts. Vicente Padilla (5-10) though he had a good outing, took the loss.

Nomar Garciaparra went one for two on Sunday (with a walk) in his second rehabilitation game with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

According to ESPN.com:

Garciaparra also flawlessly handled his one chance in the field, turning a double play in the fifth inning to end Carolina’s rally. He was also active on the basepaths, attempting to steal second base three times but the batter fouled off the pitch each time.

“The best thing so far is I’m moving instinctively out on the field and not worrying about the injury,” Garciaparra said. “Things went well today.”

Because of the high temperature, Nomar only played for five innings.

“The five innings was a planned thing,” Garciaparra said. “I wanted to get three appearances at the plate and then go ahead and get out of the game. I felt great out on the field, but there’s no reason to push your luck by playing in the heat all day.”

Kerry Wood is also doing some rehab work at Class A Peoria. Reportedly, he reached 96 miles per hour in the radar gun (an accurate one — said ESPN) while working an inning of work with Peoria.

I’m ready to pitch,” said Wood, 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA in 10 starts this season. “Obviously, I’ve got a few more days and we’re going to take this time to go somewhere and come out of the ‘pen and see it what it’s like and get used to it and to prepare for it.

“It’s going to be something different for me, but obviously something that if I want to help this team and pitch up here, it’s something I’m going to have to get used to pretty quick,” he said.

Scott Williamson finally earned a run with Triple A Iowa. He’s been looking pretty sharp since joining the team, though, so a Friday callup is likely.

Williamson threw two innings for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, giving up two runs and three hits in two innings, and is expected to pitch again on Monday and Tuesday. Williamson, a right-handed reliever, had elbow ligament replacement surgery last October and signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January.

It’s a matter of time until we see how all those deals pan out.

I hate Hector Luna.

Why? He’s the versatile, every-position playing, fast, optimist, young and Larussa-loving utility player the Cubs are lacking; when in the seventh Jose Macias grounded out into a doubleplay to end a rally, I realised that even the Cardinals, who are missing three starters (and had a combined VORP in the start of yesterday’s lineup of 71.9; just for reference, Derrek Lee’s alone VORP is 79.9 — thanks John and visit The Cub Reporter) have great bench players.

Finally, the Cubs nagged a 8-4 win powered by Neifi! grandslam off Al Reyes in the tenth off the Cardinals and took the series in Busch. Redster blew a save for the first time in months, but once again ended up winning the game in which he blew his save opportunity; he’s now 3-3 in the year. The ninth had a couple of maybe, maybe not blown calls as Hector Luna slid twice, once in second when he was trying to steal second off Henry Blanco (Neifi! apparently tagged him before he got to base) and the second one at home, when he slid right past Blanco and apparently touched home plate with his left hand before the catcher went running to tag him. Damn You Eckstein drove Luna home.

Mark Prior went six innings allowing just three runs on three homeruns by Abraham O. Nunez, John Mabry and Jim Edmonds. He struck out two. Henry Blanco, incredibly, went 5-4 with three singles and a homerun. He was trying to be player of the game but got outdueled by Neifi!.

Anyway, I say, keep Neifi! starting.

I’m kidding.

Mark Prior settled down after allowing three homers in the first inning. (Elsa/Getty Images)