Chris Volstad is now 0-22 as a Cubs starter. That’s like, really bad, even for the Cubs.
Alas, the hapless Northsiders managed to pull of a win against (*snicker*) Dusty Baker last night, depsite Volstad’s best efforts.
(By the way, I made a comment that I was calling Volstad “He Who Shall Not Be Named” last night, and Brett from Bleacher Nation Christened him “Voldemortstad,” which I think fits him swimmingly).
CHICAGO — Through all of the injuries, losing seasons and fans wishing he would better live up to his large contract, Alfonso Soriano has continued to do one thing: hit home runs.
And while he isn’t a prototypical power hitter in the truest sense, he has proven throughout his career to not only be one, but one of the best.
Soriano once again flashed his strength Thursday night at Wrigley Field, lifting a two-run homer into the center-field bushes in the bottom of the eighth to give the Cubs a 5-3 win over the first-place Reds and snap the team’s eight-game losing streak.
It was Soriano’s 20th home run of the season — the 11th consecutive year he has reached the mark, putting him in rare company. Boston’s David Ortiz, Angels first baseman Albert Pujols and Soriano are the only active sluggers to reach the 20-homer mark for 11 straight seasons.
And yet, the team can’t unload him on ANYONE, despite several close division races, because of his horrible, terrible, not-very-good contract. Thanks a bunch, Jim Hendry.
But forget Soriano, the last half of the season is all about the kids, right? Kids, kids, KIDS!! Children are the future!
We have some good news and we have some bad news.
Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler was promoted to to Class-A Peoria, while Brett Jackson makes his Wrigley Field debut.
Soler, who signed a nine-year, $30 million deal, hit .241 with two home runs in a brief stint playing for Mesa in the Arizona Rookie League. He’ll be in the lineup for Peoria tonight.
Awesome! I’m going to visit my parents this weekend and Soler will be playing the next town over!
But then:
Jackson, who is 0-for-8 with eight strikeouts and a walk in his last nine plate appearances, has been moved down in the order by manager Dale Sveum, batting seventh against Cincinnati right-hander Mike Leake after hitting second (twice) and leadoff (once) in his first three games. Josh Vitters is on the bench, with Luis Valbuena starting at third.
O-8 with a walk. That’s like, what we used to joke about happening if he was called up. UGH.
But hey, it’s Friday! That means Wrigley Talk Friday is coming your way at 1 pm CT today, though I most likely won’t be a part of that. You should listen anyway, so as not to insult Tim and Adam’s manhood.
The Cubs are back it again today, with Justin Germano taking the mound today at 1:20. We’ll be back then with a lineup and more info.
I’m sure glad Jackson is working on his strike out issues at the big league level.
I’ve waited long enough…and I will finally be taking my son to his first Cubs game this weekend.
And I fully expect upon seeing him, the Cubs will officially announce that they intend to select my son in the first round of next year’s amateur draft.
I hope you guys have a GREAT TIME!! I’m looking forward to taking my girls to Wrigley some day.
Taking kids to Wrigley is a pain. They don’t watch the game and you keep having to buy them stuff.
That’s kinda why we waited this long to take both of them. Saffy is old enough now that she’ll sit in her chair while my wife and I take turns dealing with Sebastian. We’ll be right near the Reds bullpen, so I’m sure Saffy will be very excited to yell insults at the relievers sitting down there.
There isn’t enought sparkly stuff (too my knowledge) at Wrigly for my girls to want a bunch of stuff. Now, my youngest would eat every frozen treat in sight. So, that could be a problem.
I never saw that printed on the tickets,’you must
keep buying them stuff.’
We haven’t taken my daughter for a long time either…she was too young to remember the other times we took her…so it’s almost like it’s the first time for her too. She’s been asking about it for weeks now…”Daddy, do we get to go to the Cubs game today?”
I’m sure a some of the LOHO folks remember when we took my daughter to the bleachers on LOHO day and Alfonso Soriano threw a ball up to her.
So V-man did not get the win last night?I wonder why the Cubs could not package him with any of the trades? It might do him and the Cubs some good…
That’s what the Marlins thought too.
Speaking of Dusty, he’s batted Zack Cozart and his .293 OBP in the leadoff spot 79 times this year. Never change, Dusty.
Would we expect anything different from Ol Toothpick?? I mean, the Reds (Dusty) were interested in acquiring Juan Pierre…again. I was waiting to hear that Nefi Perez and Lenny Harris were signed to minor league contracts with the Reds!!
I’m guessing Jose Macias is very available
Thankful for the win. Manager of the brewery is a Red’s fan, born & bred.
Cubs win, I get a free 22oz RED(6.5%).
Reds win, I have to wear a Reds T-shirt while I’m there(guzzle a quick beer and leave…but then I don’t think I have the willpower).
GO CUBS!!!
I’m still paying off my dodger bets. That one hurt. The wallet, no big deal compared to the pain in my gut having to hear those fans as they ‘thank me and the Cubs’.
How long until Volstad’s winless streak equals Anthony Young?
I have a feeling that it’s going to be another long day. I start drinking now.
I’m having the worst day ever. I’m going home to watch the Cubs and be miserable in private.
I wish I could have a worst day ever so I can go home and watch the Cubs and drink in private but I have an office to run so I will do all of the above from work.
And sorry about your bad day Julie…
5th error already?!
Oh my god. These guys look really, really awful.
So far, the Cubs rising stars, Jackson, Vitters, Castro, Rizzo and Castillo have committed 5 errors today.
But Brett Jackson has only struck out twice.
How come every time I do a game tread we win? Kinda like Julie and her days off.
You’re doing every game thread from here on out. We’ll be back in this thing in no time.
What is this thing that we are going to be in…because I don’t think it is a very pleasant thing to be in.
It’s just this thing. It’s gonna be awesome.
You say that now…but when it’s here you are going to complain about it.
What’s going to be interesting is the off-season price increase the fans will pay to watch this AAA team.
Soriano rumors swirling again. Good Lord, the Cubs will PAY SOMEONE to take him.