Results tagged ‘ Carlos Marmol ’
3/26 Reds 11, Cubs 1
Johnny Cueto topped Jeff Samardzija on the mound and at the plate in a showdown between two Opening Day starters on Tuesday. Todd Frazier hit a solo home run to back Cueto and and lift the Reds to an 11-1 victory over the Cubs. The game was the Cubs’ first night game at HoHoKam Stadium since March 28, 2005, and played in front of 9,388 fans. Samardzija, who will kick off the Cubs season Monday in Pittsburgh, gave up five hits over five innings, did not walk a batter, and struck out four.
“This is the last hurrah and it’s just basically getting his work in and working on what he feels he needs to work on going into Opening Day,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said before the game.
Cueto singled off Samardzija with two outs in the Reds’ third, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Emmanuel Burriss’ double. Samardzija and Cueto have squared off before.
“It was definitely a good atmosphere and I’ve pitched against Johnny since High A down in Sarasota and Daytona,” Samardzija said. “We know each other pretty well. He’s a heck of a pitcher and had a heck of a year last year.”
Hisanori Takahashi, bidding for the Cubs’ final bullpen spot, struck out the side in the sixth. But Frazier connected on the first pitch leading off the seventh for his fifth spring home run.
The Reds sent 13 batters to the plate in the ninth and scored nine runs, including six off Carlos Marmol, who failed to retire any of the six batters he faced.
* Up next: The Cubs will play their penultimate game in Arizona on Wednesday night when they travel to Surprise to face the Royals under the lights. Scott Feldman, who will open the Cubs’ series in Atlanta on April 5, will get the start. Among the players scheduled to make the trip are David DeJesus, Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, and Darwin Barney. The game, which begins at 6:05 p.m. Arizona time, will be broadcast on WGN Radio.
– Carrie Muskat
3/23 Cubs 7, Angels 6
Scott Hairston hit a tie-breaking solo home run to highlight a four-run seventh inning but the Cubs had to rally in the eighth as pinch-runner Shawon Dunston Jr. scored the game-winner on a wild pitch to post a 7-6 victory Saturday over the Angels.
With the game tied at 6 in the Chicago eighth, Steve Clevenger doubled to lead off and was lifted for Dunston, son of former Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston Jr., now a coach in the Giants’ Minor League organization. One out later, Dunston scampered home on a wild pitch by the Angels’ Ernesto Frieri.
The Cubs trailed 5-2 going into the seventh. Brent Lillibridge tripled to open the inning and chase Joe Blanton. Nick Maronde then walked pinch-hitter Dave Sappelt, and David DeJesus hit a RBI double. Alberto Gonzalez, battling for a spot on the bench, delivered a two-run double but was thrown out at third trying to extend his hit. One out later, Hairston connected on his home run.
Carlos Marmol picked up the win despite blowing the lead in the eighth when he walked two and hit another batter. The Angels tied the game when a run scored on a passed ball by Clevenger.
Edwin Jackson started for the Cubs, and gave up five runs on eight hits over five innings.
“They came out swinging,” Jackson said of the Angels. “I left a couple balls out over the middle of the plate and they did a good job hitting the ball. I challenged hitters, and they got their hits.”
He also collected two hits, including a RBI single in the fifth. Jackson will start the Cubs’ final game at HoHoKam Stadium on Thursday, and then be slotted after Jeff Samardzija for the second regular season game, April 3, against the Pirates. Is he ready?
“Health-wise, I feel pretty good,” Jackson said. “If the season started tomorrow, I’d be confident where I am and I feel I can go out and do what I need to do to help the team win.”
– Carrie Muskat
3/21 Fighting for last spot
The Cubs have nine games remaining starting Friday, and nine pitchers fighting for one opening in the bullpen.
Carlos Marmol, Kyuji Fujikawa, James Russell, Shawn Camp are set, plus the Cubs like what they’ve seen from right-hander Hector Rondon, a Rule 5 Draft pick. Michael Bowden, who is on the 40-man roster and does not have options left, has had a strong spring and appears to have secured a spot.
“He’s had a good spring, he has a track record, he pitched very well the last two or three months he was up last year,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Bowden, who compiled a 2.95 ERA in 30 relief appearances last season with the Cubs. “He’s basically the one guy in the bullpen who can go multiple innings and that’s a huge asset to have.”
Which leaves Jaye Chapman, Rafael Dolis, Jensen Lewis, Blake Parker, Hisanori Takahashi, Casey Coleman, Drew Carpenter, Zach Putnam and Cory Wade remaining. Dolis is the only one on the list who is on the 40-man roster and the right-hander does have an option remaining. Takahashi is the only lefty in the mix.
“Realistically, there’s one relief spot open,” Sveum said.
– Carrie Muskat
3/8 Marmol: “I don’t believe anything”
Carlos Marmol doesn’t pay attention to the trade rumors that seem to include the Cubs closer every other day.
Marmol was mentioned recently as possibly drawing interest from the Tigers, who are looking for a closer. He has given Cubs management a list of five teams he would approve a deal to, but said he has not been approached about it.
“I don’t worry about that,” Marmol said Friday. “I just keep working here.”
The rumors may continue all spring.
“I can’t make that decision. The boss guy makes the decision. I can’t worry about that. The only thing I have to worry about is being ready every time they give me the ball.”
Does Marmol think he’ll be traded this year?
“I don’t believe anything,” the right-hander said. “I come here, work out, and whatever decision they make here, I don’t have anything to do with it.”
– Carrie Muskat
3/7 White Sox 8, Cubs 3
Paul Konerko hit a pair of solo home runs and Adam Dunn hit a monster two-run shot to power the White Sox to an 8-1 victory Thursday over the Cubs. White Sox starter Jose Quintana gave up one run on two hits and one walk over 3 2/3 innings, striking out four in front of 10,647, the largest crowd of the spring at HoHoKam Stadium.
David DeJesus doubled to lead off the Cubs first and scored one out later on Nate Schierholtz’s triple off Quintana. The White Sox tied the game in the third when Jared Mitchell hit a bunt single and scored one out later on Gordon Beckham’s double.
Konerko connected off Carlos Villanueva, who was making his third Cactus League start. The right-hander, who will open the season in the Cubs rotation because of injuries to Matt Garza and Scott Baker, gave up two runs on six hits over four innings.
“Konerko, what can I say?” Villanueva said. “I thought that first hit he got [a single in the second] was a very good pitch down and away and the homer he hit, I was very surprised it went out but I threw the ball exactly where I wanted to throw it, it was up and in on his hands.
“That’s Konerko. That’s him,” Villanueva said. “Hopefully, [the wind] is blowing in at Wrigley and he’ll pop up to left.”
Jeff Keppinger doubled to open the White Sox sixth against Barret Loux and Dunn launched the next pitch to right for his second spring home run. Konerko, who has 20 career regular season homers against the Cubs, followed with his second blast of the game to go ahead, 5-1.
Cubs closer Carlos Marmol was unable to finish an inning, and pulled after giving up one hit, walking two and throwing a wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning.
“He was just kind of missing with his slider, his fastball was just missing,” Dale Sveum said of Marmol. “It wasn’t like he was awful by no means. He just got the pitch count up. The last guy [Bryan Anderson] laid off some pretty good sliders down and in. He put together a pretty good at-bat there.”
In four spring games, Marmol has given up four hits and walked four over 3 2/3 innings. But Sveum says the right-hander has good command of his pitches.
“It’s been way better than last year at this time,” Sveum said.
– Carrie Muskat
2/24 Willis back where he started
Dontrelle Willis was in the Cubs clubhouse before Sunday’s game. He’s in the Minor League camp, hoping to make a comeback with the team that originally selected him in the eighth round of the 2000 Draft.
“My arm feels good, the work’s been good,” Willis said. “I’ve been busting my butt to get back in baseball shape. I’m feeling good. The organization has welcomed me back with open arms. It feels good to come full circle and be on the same field I got drafted on 13 years ago.”
There aren’t many people left from then. Carlos Marmol is still with the Cubs, and he was Willis’ catcher in Rookie ball in Arizona.
“He could throw down to second — it was his hitting,” Willis said of Marmol. “I tell my wife, I remember the stories and being on the field over there. It was all about getting ready for the big leagues. I know people are still a little mad at me about [being with the Marlins and] beating the Cubs but hopefully we can bring a ring to the North Side.”
He last pitched in the big leagues in 2011 with the Reds, and spent last season with the Orioles’ Triple-A team. Willis knows he’s a long shot.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time, and I know that sounds so cliche and a lot of people say that but I really count my blessings, one day at a time,” he said. “I know the talent level around here and I know I can help. It’s about the opportunity. Whenever you get an opportunity, you have to make the best of it. This team is going to be good. I expect a lot, and I expect a lot out of myself.”
– Carrie Muskat
2/11 Marmol: “I didn’t do anything wrong”
Carlos Marmol said he didn’t do anything wrong and that the woman accusing him of abuse in the Dominican is simply trying to get money from the Cubs pitcher. Marmol gave the woman a ride home from a party on Oct. 28, and said he didn’t hear about the accusations until it was broadcast on a local radio station in the Dominican. Marmol then contacted his lawyers.
“They tried to hurt me,” Marmol said of the woman. “I didn’t do anything. The stuff she said is not true. … It’s about money.”
Marmol appeared in court on Friday in the Dominican, and arrived in Phoenix Sunday night. He may still have to return for more legal proceedings.
– Carrie Muskat
2/11 Monday first watch
Looking ahead to the first week in Cubs camp:
* Carlos Marmol was at Fitch Park on Monday to undergo his physical and meet with manager Dale Sveum and staff. Marmol, who was charged with domestic abuse by a woman in the Dominican Republic, will give the media an update later in the day. The Cubs have investigated the matter and believe Marmol may be the victim.
“We don’t have all the information — obviously, we weren’t there — but every piece of information we were able to gather backs up Carlos’ story that he’s guilty of no wrong doing whatsoever and may in fact be the victim here if this case continues to be pursued like this,” Theo Epstein said. “All we can do is evaluate it on the merits. We do expect this matter will be behind him shortly based on the way it’s proceeding in the Dominican courts.”
* Tony Campana was designated for assignment on Sunday, but he could rejoin the team if he is not claimed by another team. Campana overcame cancer, made his debut near his hometown in Ohio, and is very popular among Cubs fans. He does have speed and the ability to create havoc on the bases. But he didn’t get on base enough — he has a .306 on-base percentage and .264 batting average.
“I think the biggest area where Tony needs to continue to work is finding a way to get on base where he can continue to use his speed,” Epstein said. “Regardless of what happens, we value his contributions, value his character and wish him the best.”
* Monday, pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals at Fitch Park with the first workout scheduled for Tuesday. Pitchers to watch include Matt Garza, coming back from an elbow injury, and Scott Baker, who had Tommy John surgery last year.
* What will be interesting to watch is who is the backup first baseman during drills once position players arrive. We’ll keep you posted.
– Carrie Muskat
2/9 Fujikawa ready to go
Kyuji Fujikawa is new to the Cubs but after just a few days, he realizes he’s in the right spot in the Fitch Park clubhouse, lockered between second baseman Darwin Barney and outfielder David DeJesus.
“Nice guys,” the Japanese pitcher said in English.
On Sunday, Fujikawa will have his fourth bullpen session since arriving in Arizona one week ago. More than half of the 62 players expected in the Cubs Spring Training camp have already been working out at Fitch, including Fujikawa, the former Hanshin Tigers closer who signed a two-year contract with Chicago in December.
“I’m ready,” he said, again in English.
He’s the Cubs’ second Japanese player, following outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who was with the team from 2008-11. The two didn’t talk about making the transition to the U.S. Major Leagues nor about Wrigley Field. Fujikawa did ask some other Japanese players for advice.
“They all pointed out that it’s important to be your own self and not change too much,” he said, through interpreter Ryo Shinkawa.
Could he take over as closer? Carlos Marmol was expected in Arizona on Sunday. He was in court on Friday to deal with domestic abuse charges filed by a woman in the Dominican Republic. Fujikawa said he wasn’t aware of Marmol’s legal issues and said he wasn’t thinking about taking over as the Cubs closer at some point.
“The decision is not up to me but the coaches,” Fujikawa said. “My job is to get outs and as I do that, I’ll try to make it a tougher decision for the coaches to make.”
– Carrie Muskat
1/31 Lawyer: Marmol innocent
A lawyer for Carlos Marmol told the Chicago Tribune on Thursday that Cubs pitcher is innocent of accuations made by a 24-year-old woman in the Dominican Republic. According to ListinDiario.com, a woman filed a criminal complaint against Marmol. No police charges have been filed. Marmol’s attorney, Nelson Pimentel, told the Tribune he has filed a counter complaint, accusing the woman of trying to extort and blackmail the pitcher.
“Carlos Marmol is totally innocent of the things he is accused of,” Pimentel told the Tribune. “They never occurred. She is only trying to get money out of Carlos Marmol. It is very important for us to say the legal case against him is not true.”
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