Giants Are Mean to Cub Teenagers

The Giants combined two doubles, three singles, five walks, and an error to score seven runs in the first two innings, cruising to a 7-1 victory over the Cubs in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale.  

LHP Christopher Pieters (signed as a 16-year old out of Curacao during the 2011 International Signing Period for a reported $350K) got the start for the Cubs, and could not throw strikes (33 pitches – only 11 strikes), allowing three runs on three walks and two hits (a single and a double) in the 1st inning.

RHP Alexander Santana (signed as a 16-year old out of the Dominican Republic in 2010) wasn’t any better in the 2nd inning, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits (two singles and a double) and two walks while throwing 34 pitches (only 16 strikes).

The other four Cub pitchers who took the hill today fared much better, throwing six innings of three-hit shutout ball with no walks and six strikeouts, but by that time the Giants had what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

The Cubs offense was mostly dormant, scoring their only run in the top of the 4th inning without the benefit of a hit.

Rubi Silva drew a lead-off walk and moved up to 2nd base when Dan Vogelbach reached base on a error, advanced to 3rd on a double play, and then scored on a Wild Pitch.

The Cubs are missing a number of players who started the AZIL schedule on the Active List, as 2011 1st round draft pick SS Javier Baez, 1B Rock Shoulders, OF Taiwan Easterling, 3B-1B Dustin Geiger, and C Rafael Lopez are out of action.

Easterling, Geiger, and Lopez suffered injuries (either groin, quad, hamstring, or calf) while running the bases and/or sliding last week, Shoulder suffered a torn meniscus in a base-running drill two days prior to AZIL Opening Day, and Baez has been shut-down with a sore arm for more than a week (exact nature and extent of his injury is unknown at this time).

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Zeke DeVoss, 2B: 0-4 (6-3, K, 5-3, K)
2a. Danny Lockhart, SS: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3, BB)
2b. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-1 (F-7)
3. Rubi Silva, DH #1: 0-3 (K, BB, 4-3, K, R)
4. Dan Volgelbach, 1B: 1-4 (F-8, E-3, F-8, 2B)
5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-3 (6-3, 1-6-3 DP, P-2, BB)
6. Yaniel Cabezas, DH #2: 2-3 (1B, F-7, 1B, BB)
7a. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (BB, E-4)
7b. Micah Gibbs, C: 0-1 (F-7)
8. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF: 0-3 (F-7, L-3 DP, P-5)
9a. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 0-2 (5-3, P-2)
9b. Trey Martin, CF: 0-1 (F-9)
10. Garrett Schlecht, RF: 2-3 (1B, 4-3, 1B)

PITCHERS:
1. Christopher Pieters: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 33 pitches (11 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
2. Alexander Santana: 1.0, 3 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 34 pitches (16 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Starling Peralta: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 0/5 GO/FO
4. Tayler Scott: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 10 pitches (9 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
5. Jose Arias: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 16 pitches (10 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
6. Andrew McKirahan: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 8 pitches (5 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: 1
SS Danny Lockhart - E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run)

CATCHERS DEFENSE
Mark Malave: 0-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 31

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80’s