(TSX / STATS) -- BALTIMORE -- Jake Arrieta certainly enjoyed coming back to Baltimore. The Orioles did not have quite as much fun.
Arrieta threw 6 2/3 strong innings in his return to Baltimore and Jason Heyward added a three-run triple as the Chicago Cubs hit three homers in a 10-3 rout of the Orioles on Saturday night.
The Orioles (42-48) traded Arrieta to the Cubs in 2013 and the right-hander developed into one of the game's best pitchers after going 20-25 with a 5.46 ERA in Baltimore.
He's now 63-28 as a Cub, including two no-hitters and a Cy Young Award (2015), and Saturday's game was the first time the right-hander has pitched at Camden Yards since the trade.
However, Arrieta said he loved his time with the Orioles.
"You know, I wouldn't trade the years I was here for anything," Arrieta said. "It was an enjoyable experience. I learned a lot, and I'm able to be the player I am today because of what I went through while I was in the organization."
Arrieta showed Baltimore his new form, allowing just two runs and four hits. He struggled a bit at first, walking three in the first two innings before setting down 14 of the next 15 hitters.
The Cubs took the lead while Arrieta was doing that, and the combination proved too much for the Orioles to overcome.
"We really swung the bats well, and Jake pitched really good tonight and that was a large part of tonight's game," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "The fact that he kept them in check while we opened up our lead, that's a nice formula."
Chicago (45-45) also gave Arrieta (9-7) plenty of offensive support. Albert Almora and Addison Russell each hit solo homers, and Heyward's triple was the big hit in a four-run fifth inning that gave the Cubs a 7-0 lead.
Six of those seven runs came after there were two outs.
"That's really frustrating to be that close to getting out of an inning unscathed," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "With Arrieta out there, you feel like runs are going to be at a premium. You're trying to keep it close and see if you can do some damage."
Anthony Rizzo added a solo homer in the eighth -- the team's eighth home run in the first two games -- as the Cubs finished with 16 hits.
Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras and Javier Baez each banged out three hits and led the way as Chicago never went down in order.
Baltimore starter Wade Miley's struggles continued. Miley (4-8) allowed seven runs and nine hits -- with four walks and two homers -- in 4 2/3 innings.
Caleb Joseph drove in two of Baltimore's runs with a homer and an RBI single.
Arrieta needed 27 pitches to get through the first inning but escaped without damage as the Orioles stranded two. The Cubs then went back to their power to take command early.
Almora started the third with a first-pitch homer, and Russell added a long solo homer with two outs in the fourth.
Miley walked the next two hitters before Almora added an RBI single to center that put the Cubs up 3-0.
In the fifth, Heyward ended Miley's night with the three-run triple to center. Baez greeted right-hander Miguel Castro with an RBI single to cap the four-run inning that gave the Cubs the 7-0 lead.
"I definitely feel better about my delivery, but you've got to keep working and fine-tune things," Miley said. "I've just got to get back in the bullpen and continue to work."
Joseph put the Orioles on the board with a solo homer in the fifth.
NOTES: RHP Mike Wright (shoulder bursitis) and RHP Stefan Crichton (shoulder strain) will each have rehab assignments starting Monday, according to Orioles manager Buck Showalter. ... The skipper also said the minor leagues could be an option for struggling RHP Kevin Gausman, but the team really isn't ready to make a move like that. ... RHP John Lackey (plantar fasciitis in right foot) threw well before the game. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that if everything stays fine, he will be activated and pitch Tuesday. ... Maddon also said LHP Jon Lester will start Monday.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Mariners defeat White Sox for third straight win
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- A bruised right knee is keeping Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz from running at full speed.
On Saturday night, he didn't need to.
Cruz belted a two-run homer in the sixth to put Seattle ahead, slumping Kyle Seager hit a solo shot in the second and the Mariners held on to beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Saturday night for their third straight win.
Cruz greeted Anthony Swarzak (4-3), Chicago's second reliever, with his 18th homer on a deep drive to center off a fastball. Then Cruz rounded the bases for the eventual game-winning run, jogging at a deliberate pace that wouldn't aggravate his injury.
"It's getting better," Cruz said of his knee. "At least I'm running better, or like you say, walking better. I think I started feeling it little once I got to third base."
Cruz's swing mattered more than his trot to manager Scott Servais.
"Offensively, Cruzie with the big blast and Seager really swinging the bat well tonight, too," Servais said. "Great to see."
Seager's homer was his 11th, but his first -- and only his fourth hit -- in his last 10 games.
Seattle starter Felix Hernandez (5-3) scuffled, but got the win in his fifth start since turning to the rotation after missing 54 games with right shoulder inflammation. The 2010 AL Cy Young winner lasted just five innings, giving up six hits and three runs, but only one was earned due to three Mariners' errors.
Hernandez hit Chicago slugger Jose Abreu twice with pitches to create bases-loaded, no-out jams in the third and fifth innings. But the six-time All-Star right-hander allowed only one run in those situations -- on Todd Frazier's double-play grounder in the fifth that put Chicago ahead 3-2.
"It was a battle the whole game, I couldn't find my rhythm," Hernandez said. "I couldn't find the balance in my mechanics. I was all over the place."
Four Seattle relievers followed with four scoreless innings. Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth, allowing a single to Melky Cabrera and walking Avisail Garcia with two outs, but got his 15th save in 18 chances when he fanned Abreu to end the game.
"Running four guys in a row, it's really hard to have them all on top of their games," Servais said. "We needed them tonight and they did it."
Cabrera belted his 11th homer and had two RBIs as he moved up to Chicago's leadoff spot for the eighth time this season and went 4-for-5.
"It was a good game for me, but I wish we could have won the game," Cabrera said through a translator. "I've just been doing my routine. I haven't changed anything."
Chicago starter Mike Pelfrey pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs -- one earned -- in a no-decision.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria was ejected for the sixth time this season after arguing with second-base umpire Tom Hallion in the bottom of the sixth.
With Tim Anderson on first base, reliever Steve Cishek threw wide on a pickoff attempt. Anderson got to second, but Renteria thought he should have been awarded third.
"I thought it should have been two bases," Renteria said. "I think we might have disagreed."
Cabrera opened the bottom of the first inning by drilling a solo shot to right.
Seager lofted Pelfrey's inside 2-2 offering down the right-field line and deep into the seats in the second inning to tie it at 1.
Cabrera's sharp single drove in Adam Engel in the third to put Chicago back ahead 2-1 with an unearned run. Engel reached on shortstop Jean Segura's error, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
The White Sox went on to load the bases with none out, but Hernandez escaped the jam with no additional runs scoring, Todd Frazier's weak grounder to third forced out Cabrera at home, then Tyler Saladino popped out and Matt Davidson flied out to center.
Seattle tied it at 2 with an unearned run in the fifth. Carlos Ruiz singled in Danny Valencia from third with two outs. Valencia had reached when Anderson failed to pick up the Mariners first baseman's routine ground ball for his MLB-worst 20th error.
The White Sox loaded the bases again with none out in the bottom of the inning. Frazier grounded Hernandez's 0-2 pitch into a 6-4-3 double play to plate one run, but Saladino struck out and Chicago settled for a 3-2 lead.
Dan Jennings walked Robinson Cano to lead off the sixth, then Swarzak entered and gave up with Cruz's homer to center.
NOTES: Seattle rookie OF Mitch Haniger injured the index finger on his right hand while trying to bunt and left the game in the sixth. He had X-rays and manager Scott Servais expects him to be out day-to-day. ... Melky Cabrera's leadoff homer was the fourth of his career. ... Seattle's Jean Segura went 2-for-4 and has 21 hits in his last 44 at-bats. ... Chicago INF/OF Leury Garcia, out since June 15 with a sprained finger on his left hand, is making progress at the team's Arizona training complex and should be ready for a rehab assignment "in the next day or two," according to manager Rick Renteria. ... Chicago RHP Dylan Covey has resumed throwing from a pitching mound after going on the DL in late May with a left oblique strain. ... The White Sox acquired 20-year-old minor league INF Yeyson Yrizarri from Texas for international signing bonus pool money.
On Saturday night, he didn't need to.
Cruz belted a two-run homer in the sixth to put Seattle ahead, slumping Kyle Seager hit a solo shot in the second and the Mariners held on to beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Saturday night for their third straight win.
Cruz greeted Anthony Swarzak (4-3), Chicago's second reliever, with his 18th homer on a deep drive to center off a fastball. Then Cruz rounded the bases for the eventual game-winning run, jogging at a deliberate pace that wouldn't aggravate his injury.
"It's getting better," Cruz said of his knee. "At least I'm running better, or like you say, walking better. I think I started feeling it little once I got to third base."
Cruz's swing mattered more than his trot to manager Scott Servais.
"Offensively, Cruzie with the big blast and Seager really swinging the bat well tonight, too," Servais said. "Great to see."
Seager's homer was his 11th, but his first -- and only his fourth hit -- in his last 10 games.
Seattle starter Felix Hernandez (5-3) scuffled, but got the win in his fifth start since turning to the rotation after missing 54 games with right shoulder inflammation. The 2010 AL Cy Young winner lasted just five innings, giving up six hits and three runs, but only one was earned due to three Mariners' errors.
Hernandez hit Chicago slugger Jose Abreu twice with pitches to create bases-loaded, no-out jams in the third and fifth innings. But the six-time All-Star right-hander allowed only one run in those situations -- on Todd Frazier's double-play grounder in the fifth that put Chicago ahead 3-2.
"It was a battle the whole game, I couldn't find my rhythm," Hernandez said. "I couldn't find the balance in my mechanics. I was all over the place."
Four Seattle relievers followed with four scoreless innings. Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth, allowing a single to Melky Cabrera and walking Avisail Garcia with two outs, but got his 15th save in 18 chances when he fanned Abreu to end the game.
"Running four guys in a row, it's really hard to have them all on top of their games," Servais said. "We needed them tonight and they did it."
Cabrera belted his 11th homer and had two RBIs as he moved up to Chicago's leadoff spot for the eighth time this season and went 4-for-5.
"It was a good game for me, but I wish we could have won the game," Cabrera said through a translator. "I've just been doing my routine. I haven't changed anything."
Chicago starter Mike Pelfrey pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs -- one earned -- in a no-decision.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria was ejected for the sixth time this season after arguing with second-base umpire Tom Hallion in the bottom of the sixth.
With Tim Anderson on first base, reliever Steve Cishek threw wide on a pickoff attempt. Anderson got to second, but Renteria thought he should have been awarded third.
"I thought it should have been two bases," Renteria said. "I think we might have disagreed."
Cabrera opened the bottom of the first inning by drilling a solo shot to right.
Seager lofted Pelfrey's inside 2-2 offering down the right-field line and deep into the seats in the second inning to tie it at 1.
Cabrera's sharp single drove in Adam Engel in the third to put Chicago back ahead 2-1 with an unearned run. Engel reached on shortstop Jean Segura's error, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
The White Sox went on to load the bases with none out, but Hernandez escaped the jam with no additional runs scoring, Todd Frazier's weak grounder to third forced out Cabrera at home, then Tyler Saladino popped out and Matt Davidson flied out to center.
Seattle tied it at 2 with an unearned run in the fifth. Carlos Ruiz singled in Danny Valencia from third with two outs. Valencia had reached when Anderson failed to pick up the Mariners first baseman's routine ground ball for his MLB-worst 20th error.
The White Sox loaded the bases again with none out in the bottom of the inning. Frazier grounded Hernandez's 0-2 pitch into a 6-4-3 double play to plate one run, but Saladino struck out and Chicago settled for a 3-2 lead.
Dan Jennings walked Robinson Cano to lead off the sixth, then Swarzak entered and gave up with Cruz's homer to center.
NOTES: Seattle rookie OF Mitch Haniger injured the index finger on his right hand while trying to bunt and left the game in the sixth. He had X-rays and manager Scott Servais expects him to be out day-to-day. ... Melky Cabrera's leadoff homer was the fourth of his career. ... Seattle's Jean Segura went 2-for-4 and has 21 hits in his last 44 at-bats. ... Chicago INF/OF Leury Garcia, out since June 15 with a sprained finger on his left hand, is making progress at the team's Arizona training complex and should be ready for a rehab assignment "in the next day or two," according to manager Rick Renteria. ... Chicago RHP Dylan Covey has resumed throwing from a pitching mound after going on the DL in late May with a left oblique strain. ... The White Sox acquired 20-year-old minor league INF Yeyson Yrizarri from Texas for international signing bonus pool money.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Russell rescues Cubs after blowing big lead vs. O's
(TSX / STATS) -- BALTIMORE -- The Chicago Cubs banged out four homers in the first three innings on Friday night to go ahead 8-0. Then they lost the lead and needed some late help from Addison Russell to pull out a dramatic win to properly start the second half.
Russell hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Brad Brach in the top of the ninth inning as the Cubs shook off blowing an eight-run lead in a 9-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Russell lined a homer to left on the first pitch from Brach (2-2) with one out in the ninth. It was Chicago's fifth homer of the game.
The shortstop's eighth homer this season occurred after Baltimore's Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer to left against Koji Uehara (3-4) in the eighth that tied the score at 8.
"It feels good to come out with that win," Russell said. "(I was) just looking for a ball in the zone. The biggest thing for me is just making sure I see the pitch, track it, and put a good swing on it."
Russell entered the game stuck in an 0-for-10 skid but went 2-for-4 and raised his average to .230.
Cubs closer Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 17th save.
The Orioles (42-47) scored eight straight runs after the Cubs took the big early lead. That's a reason why Chicago manager Joe Maddon thought this victory was so important.
"It was really important under the circumstances," Maddon said. "We had such a big lead and then forfeited that lead. That's the part that would've made it even more difficult. Under the circumstances of how that game was played tonight, it was really good to finish it off."
Willson Contreras (three-run) and Kyle Schwarber (solo) both homered as the Cubs (44-45) scored four in the first. Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward added two-run homers in the second and third, respectively, and Chicago took the early eight-run lead.
The Cubs pounded Orioles starter Kevin Gausman for eight runs and seven hits in the three innings. Gausman saw his ERA jump to 6.39, and while he avoided the loss, the right-hander was not happy.
"Yeah, it's frustrating," Gausman said. "Obviously, I wanted to come out here and hit the ground running going into this second half. It was just bad."
The bullpen kept the Orioles in the game after Gausman's rocky start.
Five pitchers combined to allow that one run and three hits in six innings. They struck out six and walked only one.
"It was great," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "That's as good as you could ask, especially with that much time off. We're lucky because with that much time off, we had everybody available."
The Cubs answered a 49-minute rain delay by starting quickly in the first, when Zobrist led off with a double and went to third on a one-out single from Anthony Rizzo. Both came around to score as Contreras crushed a three-run homer to left-center field.
Schwarber added a solo shot on the next pitch, which made it 4-0 against Gausman.
The right-hander found more trouble in the second as Zobrist lined a two-run homer to right.
Heyward added a two-run homer to deep right that made it 8-0 in the third, again off Gausman.
The Orioles answered with a Welington Castillo solo homer in the third and a Chris Davis RBI double off starter Mike Montgomery in the fourth.
The Orioles then put runners at second and third with one out in the fifth, ending Montgomery's night. Justin Grimm entered and allowed RBI singles to Trumbo and Trey Mancini and a Joey Rickard two-run single that sliced the lead to 8-6 before Ruben Tejada flied out, ending the inning.
NOTES: To open a roster spot for 1B Chris Davis, the Orioles outrighted OF Craig Gentry to Triple-A Norfolk. Davis has been on the disabled list since June 14 (retroactive to the previous day) with a right oblique strain. ...The back-to-back homers from C Willson Contreras and DH Kyle Schwarber in the first inning is the fourth time the Cubs have done that this season. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (hand inflammation, disabled list since June 8) will make a rehab start at Double-A Tennessee. The Cubs are hoping to get him back soon.
Russell hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Brad Brach in the top of the ninth inning as the Cubs shook off blowing an eight-run lead in a 9-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Russell lined a homer to left on the first pitch from Brach (2-2) with one out in the ninth. It was Chicago's fifth homer of the game.
The shortstop's eighth homer this season occurred after Baltimore's Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer to left against Koji Uehara (3-4) in the eighth that tied the score at 8.
"It feels good to come out with that win," Russell said. "(I was) just looking for a ball in the zone. The biggest thing for me is just making sure I see the pitch, track it, and put a good swing on it."
Russell entered the game stuck in an 0-for-10 skid but went 2-for-4 and raised his average to .230.
Cubs closer Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 17th save.
The Orioles (42-47) scored eight straight runs after the Cubs took the big early lead. That's a reason why Chicago manager Joe Maddon thought this victory was so important.
"It was really important under the circumstances," Maddon said. "We had such a big lead and then forfeited that lead. That's the part that would've made it even more difficult. Under the circumstances of how that game was played tonight, it was really good to finish it off."
Willson Contreras (three-run) and Kyle Schwarber (solo) both homered as the Cubs (44-45) scored four in the first. Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward added two-run homers in the second and third, respectively, and Chicago took the early eight-run lead.
The Cubs pounded Orioles starter Kevin Gausman for eight runs and seven hits in the three innings. Gausman saw his ERA jump to 6.39, and while he avoided the loss, the right-hander was not happy.
"Yeah, it's frustrating," Gausman said. "Obviously, I wanted to come out here and hit the ground running going into this second half. It was just bad."
The bullpen kept the Orioles in the game after Gausman's rocky start.
Five pitchers combined to allow that one run and three hits in six innings. They struck out six and walked only one.
"It was great," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "That's as good as you could ask, especially with that much time off. We're lucky because with that much time off, we had everybody available."
The Cubs answered a 49-minute rain delay by starting quickly in the first, when Zobrist led off with a double and went to third on a one-out single from Anthony Rizzo. Both came around to score as Contreras crushed a three-run homer to left-center field.
Schwarber added a solo shot on the next pitch, which made it 4-0 against Gausman.
The right-hander found more trouble in the second as Zobrist lined a two-run homer to right.
Heyward added a two-run homer to deep right that made it 8-0 in the third, again off Gausman.
The Orioles answered with a Welington Castillo solo homer in the third and a Chris Davis RBI double off starter Mike Montgomery in the fourth.
The Orioles then put runners at second and third with one out in the fifth, ending Montgomery's night. Justin Grimm entered and allowed RBI singles to Trumbo and Trey Mancini and a Joey Rickard two-run single that sliced the lead to 8-6 before Ruben Tejada flied out, ending the inning.
NOTES: To open a roster spot for 1B Chris Davis, the Orioles outrighted OF Craig Gentry to Triple-A Norfolk. Davis has been on the disabled list since June 14 (retroactive to the previous day) with a right oblique strain. ...The back-to-back homers from C Willson Contreras and DH Kyle Schwarber in the first inning is the fourth time the Cubs have done that this season. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (hand inflammation, disabled list since June 8) will make a rehab start at Double-A Tennessee. The Cubs are hoping to get him back soon.
Cano powers Mariners past White Sox
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- If the Seattle Mariners are going to rebound from a disappointing first half, manager Scott Servais believes the secret can be found in more consistent play.
Servais certainly can't complain about the first step the Mariners took Friday night.
Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer and James Paxton struck out nine in six innings as the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2.
Paxton (8-3) scattered five hits and allowed two earned runs on a night when the left-hander and the Seattle bullpen combined for 15 strikeouts.
Edwin Diaz picked up his 14th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Cano's third-inning blast gave the Seattle pitchers all the offense it needed as the Mariners opened the second half of the season with their fifth victory in the last 15 games.
But Servais said thewin can only be the beginning.
"We've got to continue to roll with this and keep building on it," he said.
"We've got a good vibe in our clubhouse right now, (we have) a really good discussion of where we're at as a ballclub right now. I think that's really important to laying all on the table so our guys know where things are at and that they have to pick it up."
Matt Davidson and Tyler Saladino hit RBI doubles for the White Sox, who didn't manage a hit after the fourth inning.
Chicago starter James Shields allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.
The Mariners jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third inning after Cano blasted his 18th home run of the season off the top of the right field wall. Cano belted the first pitch he saw from Shields after Mike Zunino walked and Jean Segura singled earlier in the inning.
"I knew I hit it good," Cano said. "It was good it went over the fence."
The White Sox got within 3-2 in the fourth inning on a Davidson double that scored Avisail Garcia, who singled and then stole second.
But the Mariners quickly extended their lead back to two runs in the fifth inning when Segura -- who doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a Cano groundout -- scored on a wild pitch by Shields.
"I kept the team in the game, but two pitches really cost me," Shields said. "The one to Cano, obviously, the homer, and the passed ball. If I make my pitches right there, I think it's a whole different ballgame. I'm not happy with the outing, but we're going to keep grinding it out and move forward."
Paxton, meanwhile, settled in and got stronger as his outing went on. He retired the final eight hitters he faced and finished with back-to-back strikeouts to set up the Seattle bullpen for success.
"That will work," Paxton said of his start. "Started getting my legs under me a little bit and started to feel better in that fifth and sixth inning after I got it going a little bit."
Saladino gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an RBI double that scored Garcia, who singled with one out. Garcia advanced to third with a stolen base and a Zunino throwing error. After Davidson struck out, Saladino -- who was activated from the disabled list on Friday -- lined a ground-rule double into the right field corner.
But once Cano sparked the offense and the pitching got rolling, the Mariners got off to the kind of start they were hoping to find coming out of the All-Star break.
"It's really important when every game means more," Cano said. "Every game is important that we win so we can keep ourselves in the race."
NOTES: The Mariners promoted Nasusel Cabrera to interim bullpen coach to replace Mike Hampton, who resigned July 2 to spend more time with his family. Cabrera has worked as a batting practice pitcher and assistant coach since joining the Mariners' major league staff in 2015. ... The White Sox activated RHP Miguel Gonzalez off the 10-day disabled list after he had been sidelined since June 15 with A/C joint inflammation in his right shoulder. Gonzalez is 4-8 with a 5.49 ERA in 13 starts this season. ... Chicago IF Tyler Saladino was activated from the 10-day disabled list after he had been out since May 27 with back spasms. Saladino is hitting .204 with five RBIs and 10 runs scored in 31 games. Saladino batted seventh and started at second base.
Servais certainly can't complain about the first step the Mariners took Friday night.
Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer and James Paxton struck out nine in six innings as the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2.
Paxton (8-3) scattered five hits and allowed two earned runs on a night when the left-hander and the Seattle bullpen combined for 15 strikeouts.
Edwin Diaz picked up his 14th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Cano's third-inning blast gave the Seattle pitchers all the offense it needed as the Mariners opened the second half of the season with their fifth victory in the last 15 games.
But Servais said thewin can only be the beginning.
"We've got to continue to roll with this and keep building on it," he said.
"We've got a good vibe in our clubhouse right now, (we have) a really good discussion of where we're at as a ballclub right now. I think that's really important to laying all on the table so our guys know where things are at and that they have to pick it up."
Matt Davidson and Tyler Saladino hit RBI doubles for the White Sox, who didn't manage a hit after the fourth inning.
Chicago starter James Shields allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.
The Mariners jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third inning after Cano blasted his 18th home run of the season off the top of the right field wall. Cano belted the first pitch he saw from Shields after Mike Zunino walked and Jean Segura singled earlier in the inning.
"I knew I hit it good," Cano said. "It was good it went over the fence."
The White Sox got within 3-2 in the fourth inning on a Davidson double that scored Avisail Garcia, who singled and then stole second.
But the Mariners quickly extended their lead back to two runs in the fifth inning when Segura -- who doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a Cano groundout -- scored on a wild pitch by Shields.
"I kept the team in the game, but two pitches really cost me," Shields said. "The one to Cano, obviously, the homer, and the passed ball. If I make my pitches right there, I think it's a whole different ballgame. I'm not happy with the outing, but we're going to keep grinding it out and move forward."
Paxton, meanwhile, settled in and got stronger as his outing went on. He retired the final eight hitters he faced and finished with back-to-back strikeouts to set up the Seattle bullpen for success.
"That will work," Paxton said of his start. "Started getting my legs under me a little bit and started to feel better in that fifth and sixth inning after I got it going a little bit."
Saladino gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an RBI double that scored Garcia, who singled with one out. Garcia advanced to third with a stolen base and a Zunino throwing error. After Davidson struck out, Saladino -- who was activated from the disabled list on Friday -- lined a ground-rule double into the right field corner.
But once Cano sparked the offense and the pitching got rolling, the Mariners got off to the kind of start they were hoping to find coming out of the All-Star break.
"It's really important when every game means more," Cano said. "Every game is important that we win so we can keep ourselves in the race."
NOTES: The Mariners promoted Nasusel Cabrera to interim bullpen coach to replace Mike Hampton, who resigned July 2 to spend more time with his family. Cabrera has worked as a batting practice pitcher and assistant coach since joining the Mariners' major league staff in 2015. ... The White Sox activated RHP Miguel Gonzalez off the 10-day disabled list after he had been sidelined since June 15 with A/C joint inflammation in his right shoulder. Gonzalez is 4-8 with a 5.49 ERA in 13 starts this season. ... Chicago IF Tyler Saladino was activated from the 10-day disabled list after he had been out since May 27 with back spasms. Saladino is hitting .204 with five RBIs and 10 runs scored in 31 games. Saladino batted seventh and started at second base.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Cubs searching for last year's magic entering set with Orioles
Stats, LLC
(TSX / STATS) -- BALTIMORE -- The world champion Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles both struggled throughout the first half of the 2017 season. Both teams will be hoping to start the second part on a better note when they kick off a three-game interleague series at Camden Yards Friday night.
The Cubs have played inconsistent baseball throughout 2017. The World Series champs just have not been able to put it all together like they did so easily last year -- and manager Joe Maddon knows it.
"We've never been able to get on a roll, and with that comes that edgy kind of feeling," Maddon said on MLB.com "We've underachieved offensively, and our starting pitching hasn't been as good as we thought. We've been playing from behind a lot. It's hard to create edginess under those circumstances."
Chicago has posted a surprising 43-45 record in the first half and is tied for second with St. Louis in the National League Central, 5 1/2 games behind Milwaukee. The hitting really has been puzzling to Maddon and anyone who follows the Cubs.
"Everybody knows there's a lot more we can bring out in the second half," Chicago's Ben Zobrist told MLB.com.
The Cubs rank just 14th in the National League with a .239 team average. The pitching is fifth in the National League in ERA (4.10) but needs improvement from their starters, who have been inconsistent.
Closer Wade Davis has been perfect so far, converting all 16 save opportunities. He is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA but was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game Tuesday in Miami.
However, the Cubs made a big move Thursday morning by acquiring Jose Quintana, the White Sox's top starter, for top prospect Eloy Jimenez and three other minor-leaguers. That trade should give the Cubs' starting rotation a jolt, and Quintana will be with Chicago through at least 2020.
This year, though, he is just 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 starts, although he has struck out 109 in 104 1/3 innings. He last pitched versus the Rockies on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings and coming away with a no-decision despite striking out 10.
Quintana will make his debut for the Cubs on Sunday.
Mike Montgomery (1-6, 3.75 ERA) began starting for the Cubs in early June and has been fairly effective. He will start the series opener against Baltimore's Kevin Gausman (5-7, 5.85 ERA).
Montgomery is 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA over three innings in two career games against Baltimore, both coming last year.
Gausman has pitched better of late for the Orioles (42-46) but allowed six runs in four-plus innings in a loss to the Twins on July 7. Gausman has been inconsistent in a season where Baltimore needed him to step up.
He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his only career appearance against the Cubs, and that was in 2014.
The Orioles' offense often struggled in the first half but should get some help when first baseman Chris Davis (oblique muscle) returns from the disabled list, which should be Friday.
He played in a few rehab games with Baltimore's minor league teams this week and fared well.
"I felt really good," Davis told MASN. "I felt like I was maybe pressing a little too hard a few times, but I wanted to see where I was at swing-wise, what it felt like to turn and twist at that game speed, so it felt good."
Both teams also have gotten some pleasant surprises through the problems, though, as Chicago's Ian Happ came through with 13 homers and 31 RBIs as a rookie.
Trey Mancini also gave the Orioles a boost. The rookie leads the Orioles with a .312 batting average. He also banged out 14 homers and drove in 44.
(TSX / STATS) -- BALTIMORE -- The world champion Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles both struggled throughout the first half of the 2017 season. Both teams will be hoping to start the second part on a better note when they kick off a three-game interleague series at Camden Yards Friday night.
The Cubs have played inconsistent baseball throughout 2017. The World Series champs just have not been able to put it all together like they did so easily last year -- and manager Joe Maddon knows it.
"We've never been able to get on a roll, and with that comes that edgy kind of feeling," Maddon said on MLB.com "We've underachieved offensively, and our starting pitching hasn't been as good as we thought. We've been playing from behind a lot. It's hard to create edginess under those circumstances."
Chicago has posted a surprising 43-45 record in the first half and is tied for second with St. Louis in the National League Central, 5 1/2 games behind Milwaukee. The hitting really has been puzzling to Maddon and anyone who follows the Cubs.
"Everybody knows there's a lot more we can bring out in the second half," Chicago's Ben Zobrist told MLB.com.
The Cubs rank just 14th in the National League with a .239 team average. The pitching is fifth in the National League in ERA (4.10) but needs improvement from their starters, who have been inconsistent.
Closer Wade Davis has been perfect so far, converting all 16 save opportunities. He is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA but was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game Tuesday in Miami.
However, the Cubs made a big move Thursday morning by acquiring Jose Quintana, the White Sox's top starter, for top prospect Eloy Jimenez and three other minor-leaguers. That trade should give the Cubs' starting rotation a jolt, and Quintana will be with Chicago through at least 2020.
This year, though, he is just 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 starts, although he has struck out 109 in 104 1/3 innings. He last pitched versus the Rockies on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings and coming away with a no-decision despite striking out 10.
Quintana will make his debut for the Cubs on Sunday.
Mike Montgomery (1-6, 3.75 ERA) began starting for the Cubs in early June and has been fairly effective. He will start the series opener against Baltimore's Kevin Gausman (5-7, 5.85 ERA).
Montgomery is 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA over three innings in two career games against Baltimore, both coming last year.
Gausman has pitched better of late for the Orioles (42-46) but allowed six runs in four-plus innings in a loss to the Twins on July 7. Gausman has been inconsistent in a season where Baltimore needed him to step up.
He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his only career appearance against the Cubs, and that was in 2014.
The Orioles' offense often struggled in the first half but should get some help when first baseman Chris Davis (oblique muscle) returns from the disabled list, which should be Friday.
He played in a few rehab games with Baltimore's minor league teams this week and fared well.
"I felt really good," Davis told MASN. "I felt like I was maybe pressing a little too hard a few times, but I wanted to see where I was at swing-wise, what it felt like to turn and twist at that game speed, so it felt good."
Both teams also have gotten some pleasant surprises through the problems, though, as Chicago's Ian Happ came through with 13 homers and 31 RBIs as a rookie.
Trey Mancini also gave the Orioles a boost. The rookie leads the Orioles with a .312 batting average. He also banged out 14 homers and drove in 44.
White Sox, minus Quintana, open second half vs. Mariners
Stats, LLC
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- A familiar face no longer will be in the Chicago White Sox's clubhouse when the team opens the second half of the season with a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners starting Friday night in Chicago.
On Thursday, the White Sox sent shockwaves through the Windy City by trading left-hander Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four minor league prospects, including prized outfielder Eloy Jimenez. The deal marked the first trade between the crosstown rivals since 2006.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has made no secret of his willingness to trade veterans for prospects as part of a long-term rebuilding project. In the meantime, Chicago (38-49) will continue to rely on a patchwork of young players and proven veterans during the season's second half.
The weekend offers an opportunity for Seattle (43-47) to move on from a disappointing end to the first half. The Mariners lost 10 of their final 14 games before the All-Star break and slipped into fourth place in the American League West.
Left-hander James Paxton (7-3, 3.21 ERA) will take the mound for Seattle in the series opener. The 28-year-old has won back-to-back decisions with strong performances against the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics. He has 91 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings on the season.
In two career starts against the White Sox, Paxton is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA. He has walked one and struck out nine in 11 1/3 innings. This will be his first start against Chicago this year.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto wants to see more from all of his players in the second half.
"We have underperformed, truly," Dipoto told the Seattle Times. "Particularly over the course of the last couple of weeks. We just haven't played well, and we are at probably our most, the longest stretch of positive health that we've had since Opening Day, and we've played perhaps as poorly as we've played all year long over the course of the last two weeks."
For Chicago, right-hander James Shields (2-1, 4.95 ERA) will make his eighth start of the season. The 35-year-old has allowed 17 earned runs in his last 19 1/3 innings since coming off the disabled list in June.
This contest will mark Shields' 18th career start against the Mariners. In his previous 17 outings, he possesses a career record of 5-6 with a 4.51 ERA. He has not faced Seattle this season.
The White Sox enter Friday's series opener in last place in the AL Central. Only the Oakland Athletics (50 losses) have a worse record than Chicago in the AL.
Hahn said it was difficult to part ways with Quintana, who emerged as a quiet leader in recent seasons and inherited the role of team ace after left-hander Chris Sale was shipped to the Boston Red Sox.
"It is always extremely difficult to trade a person and player like Jose Quintana," Hahn said in a statement provided by the White Sox after the trade. "But difficult as it was, this deal moves us closer to our goal of building a team capable of contending for multiple championships over an extended period of time. Jose, our scouts and coaches throughout the organization deserve a tremendous amount of credit for his development from a minor league free agent signee to one of the most sought-after talents in the game."
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- A familiar face no longer will be in the Chicago White Sox's clubhouse when the team opens the second half of the season with a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners starting Friday night in Chicago.
On Thursday, the White Sox sent shockwaves through the Windy City by trading left-hander Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four minor league prospects, including prized outfielder Eloy Jimenez. The deal marked the first trade between the crosstown rivals since 2006.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has made no secret of his willingness to trade veterans for prospects as part of a long-term rebuilding project. In the meantime, Chicago (38-49) will continue to rely on a patchwork of young players and proven veterans during the season's second half.
The weekend offers an opportunity for Seattle (43-47) to move on from a disappointing end to the first half. The Mariners lost 10 of their final 14 games before the All-Star break and slipped into fourth place in the American League West.
Left-hander James Paxton (7-3, 3.21 ERA) will take the mound for Seattle in the series opener. The 28-year-old has won back-to-back decisions with strong performances against the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics. He has 91 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings on the season.
In two career starts against the White Sox, Paxton is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA. He has walked one and struck out nine in 11 1/3 innings. This will be his first start against Chicago this year.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto wants to see more from all of his players in the second half.
"We have underperformed, truly," Dipoto told the Seattle Times. "Particularly over the course of the last couple of weeks. We just haven't played well, and we are at probably our most, the longest stretch of positive health that we've had since Opening Day, and we've played perhaps as poorly as we've played all year long over the course of the last two weeks."
For Chicago, right-hander James Shields (2-1, 4.95 ERA) will make his eighth start of the season. The 35-year-old has allowed 17 earned runs in his last 19 1/3 innings since coming off the disabled list in June.
This contest will mark Shields' 18th career start against the Mariners. In his previous 17 outings, he possesses a career record of 5-6 with a 4.51 ERA. He has not faced Seattle this season.
The White Sox enter Friday's series opener in last place in the AL Central. Only the Oakland Athletics (50 losses) have a worse record than Chicago in the AL.
Hahn said it was difficult to part ways with Quintana, who emerged as a quiet leader in recent seasons and inherited the role of team ace after left-hander Chris Sale was shipped to the Boston Red Sox.
"It is always extremely difficult to trade a person and player like Jose Quintana," Hahn said in a statement provided by the White Sox after the trade. "But difficult as it was, this deal moves us closer to our goal of building a team capable of contending for multiple championships over an extended period of time. Jose, our scouts and coaches throughout the organization deserve a tremendous amount of credit for his development from a minor league free agent signee to one of the most sought-after talents in the game."
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have acquired left-handed pitcher José Quintana in exchange for outfielder Eloy Jiménez, the No. 5 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America’s updated midseason rankings, right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease, first baseman Matt Rose and infielder Bryant Flete (“FLEH-tay”) from the Chicago Whit3 Sox.
With the addition of Jiménez (No. 8) and Cease (63), the White Sox now possess nine of the Top 100 prospects in baseball according to MLB.com, tied for the most in the major leagues. The former top two prospects in the Cubs organization join infielder Yoán Moncada (1), right-hander Michael Kopech (11), outfielder Luis Robert (23), right-handers Lucas Giolito (28), Reynaldo López (36) and Carson Fulmer (59) and catcher Zack Collins (68) on the MLB.com Top 100 list.
“All four players add talent and depth to our organization, which has been one of our very public goals over the past nine months, and their ages and development arc match nicely with some of the other young talent we have been fortunate to add in recent trades, the draft and international signings,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager.
“In Eloy, we are acquiring a player who, similar to Moncada, is viewed as one of the top prospects in baseball today with the potential for major impact in the not too distant future,” said Hahn. “Dylan brings us an impressive young pitcher who is ranked among the top pitching prospects in the game.”
Jiménez, 20, is batting .271 (42-155) with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 23 runs scored over 42 games this season with Class A Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Jiménez missed the first six weeks of the season with a right shoulder injury but rebounded to earn a spot on the World Team at the All-Star Futures Game for the second consecutive season.
Jiménez is a career .293 (284-969) hitter with 64 doubles, 32 home runs, 173 RBI, 137 runs scored and a .841 OPS in 252 games over four minor-league seasons. He signed with the Cubs on August 1, 2013 as the No. 1 ranked international free agent according to MLB.com.
A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jiménez was named the Cubs organization’s Minor League Player of the Year and Midwest League Most Valuable Player in 2016 after hitting .329 (142-432) with 40 doubles, 14 homers, 81 RBI, 65 runs scored and a .532 slugging percentage in 112 games with Class A South Bend. He also was a Northwest League All-Star with Class A Eugene in 2015.
Cease, 21, is 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA (16 ER/51.2 IP), 74 strikeouts and a .214 (39-182) opponents average over 13 starts this season with Class A South Bend. He has allowed one or no runs eight times and three hits or less 10 times while averaging 12.9 strikeouts per 9.0 IP. Cease threw 6.0 hitless IP on April 19 at Great Lakes and struck out 10 batters over 4.2 IP on April 29 at Fort Worth.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Cease, a native of Milton, Ga., was a Northwest League All-Star in 2016 with Class A Eugene after going 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA (11 ER/44.2 IP), 66 strikeouts and just one home run allowed in 12 starts.
Cease has gone 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA (34 ER/120.1 IP), 165 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP and just three home runs allowed in 36 career appearances (33 starts) over three seasons (2015-17) in the Cubs organization. He originally was selected by the Cubs in the sixth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Milton (Ga.) High School.
Flete, a 24-year-old switch-hitter, is hitting .305 (84-275) with 15 doubles, six homers, 37 RBI, 45 runs scored and a .355 on-base percentage in 70 games with Myrtle Beach this season. He ranks seventh in the CL in average and is batting .407 (24-59) with RISP and .429 (12-28) with RISP/two outs.
A native of Valencia, Venezuela, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Flete is a career .260 hitter (381-1,464) with 60 doubles, 19 triples, 14 home runs, 154 RBI, 222 runs scored, 185 walks and a .350 on-base percentage in 432 games over six seasons (2012-17) in the Cubs organization. He originally signed with the Cubs as a free agent on January 30, 2012.
Rose, 22, is hitting .227 (53-233) with 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 38 RBI and a .481 slugging percentage over 65 games with Myrtle Beach in 2017. His 14 homers are tied for fifth in the Carolina League.
Rose, a native of Palm Bay, Fla., is a career .241 hitter (184-763) with 41 doubles, 35 homers, 134 RBI and a .435 slugging percentage in 211 games over three seasons (2015-17) in the Cubs system. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound, right-handed hitting Rose was selected by the Cubs in the 11th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Georgia State University.
Quintana, 28, is 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA (52 ER/104.1 IP) and 109 strikeouts in 18 starts this season, his sixth with the White Sox. He ranks among the American League leaders in games started (T5th) and strikeouts (T8th). Quintana has gone 50-54 with a 3.51 ERA (412 ER/1,055.1 IP) and 890 strikeouts in 172 career games (169 starts) after being signed as a minor-league free agent on November 11, 2011.
“It is always extremely difficult to trade a person and player like José Quintana,” said Hahn, “but difficult as it was, this deal moves us closer to our goal of building a team capable of contending for multiple championships over an extended period of time. José, our scouts and coaches throughout the organization deserve a tremendous amount of credit for his development from a minor-league free agent signee to one of the most sought-after talents in the game.”
This marks the 15th trade in history between the teams involving major-league players, with the most recent coming on November 16, 2006 when the Sox sent left-hander Neal Cotts to the Cubs in exchange for lefty Carlos Vasquez and right-hander David Aardsma.
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