Breaking the Curse--A Chicago Cubs Franchise

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Single A Roster
RP, Aaron Shafer
SP, Hayden Simpson
SP, Brett Wallach
SP, Jeffry Antigua
RP, Jay Jackson
RF, Michael Burgess
RP, Scott Rice
RF, Nelson Perez
RF, Kyler Burke
SS, Junior Lake
1B, John Urick
2B, Jonathon Mota


Note: You can now feel free to post.

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Cubs Lose close one on Opening Day

Chicago (AP) - The Cubs came out and fought for this one but couldn't squeak one away from the Pirates. The only real offense the Cubs had was two home runs by Byrd and Soriano with no other RBIs in the game. Despite a leadoff hit in the 9th the Cubs went down with 3 strikeouts to Hanrahan right after the hit.

PIT at CHC - Wrigley Stadium
Apr 1, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0)	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	8	1
Chicago Cubs (0-0)	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	9	0
W: Veras (1-0) L: Dempster (0-1) S: Hanrahan (1)

Scoring Summary
SCORING DETAILS			PIT	CHC

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
McCutchen	4	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Walker	4	0	1	0	0	0		.250
Doumit	4	2	3	0	0	1		.750
Jones	4	0	2	1	0	1		.500
Alvarez	4	0	2	2	0	0		.500
Overbay	4	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Tabata	4	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Cedeno	3	0	0	0	0	2		.000
McDonald	3	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Presley	1	0	0	0	0	1		.000
TEAM TOTALS	35	3	8	3	0	7
BATTING: 2B: Jones 2 (2) RBI: Jones (1), Alvarez 2 (2) HBP: Cedeno
FIELDING: E: Cedeno (1)

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Castro	4	0	3	0	0	1		.750
Fukudome	4	0	1	0	0	1		.250
Byrd	4	1	1	1	0	2		.250
Pena	4	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Ramirez	4	0	1	0	0	0		.250
Soriano	4	1	3	1	0	1		.750
Soto	4	0	0	0	0	4		.000
Barney	3	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Colvin	1	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Dempster	3	0	0	0	0	0		.000
TEAM TOTALS	35	2	9	2	0	12
BATTING: 3B: Castro (1) HR: Byrd (1), Soriano (1) RBI: Byrd (1), Soriano (1)
BASERUNNING: SB: Fukudome (1), Johnson (1), Soriano 3 (3)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
McDonald	6.0	7	2	2	0	7		3.00
Veras (W, 1-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1		0.00
Meek (H, 1)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1		0.00
Hanrahan (S, 1)	1.0	1	0	0	0	3		0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	9	2	2	0	12

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Dempster (L, 0-1)	7.2	7	3	3	0	5		3.52
Wood	1.1	1	0	0	0	2		0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	8	3	3	0	7

Game Notes: Byrd and Soriano start off the season hot with 1 Homer each.....Castro had three hits in the leadoff spot one being a triple...Soriano swiped 3 bases with ease.... The Pirates bullpen gave up 2 hits in 3 innings of work....The Bottom four in the Pirates lineup went a combined 0-15 on the day.
Writers Note: Will be adding pictures and maybe even videos once I get caught up to where I am right now in the franchise.

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Cubs Blow Early Lead, lose to Pirates

Chicago (AP)- The Cubs were up 3-1 going into the 6th inning when Zambrano got himself into some trouble. Mike Quade came out and called on Sean Marshall to get the team out of the jam, instead Marshall gave up the runners on base as well as one of his own and picked up the loss. He was noticably upset after the game.
"I can't believe it, coach counts on me to get us out of jams when a lefty is up especially and instead I gave up the lead. All I can do is go back out there and keep pitching and get back on the right track of things."

Quade was not as upset after the game,
"Things happen, when you have a young club like we do there are going to be ups and downs, today was a down day but there are up days coming."

PIT at CHC - Wrigley Stadium
Apr 2, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0)	0	0	0	1	0	4	0	0	2	7	10	0
Chicago Cubs (0-1)	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	9	0
W: Ohlendorf (1-0) L: Marshall (0-1)

Scoring Summary
SCORING DETAILS			PIT	CHC

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
McCutchen	5	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Walker	4	2	2	1	0	2		.375
Doumit	4	0	0	0	0	0		.375
Jones	4	1	2	1	0	1		.500
Alvarez	4	1	1	3	0	0		.375
Overbay	4	1	2	0	0	2		.250
Tabata	4	1	1	2	0	1		.125
Cedeno	4	0	1	0	0	0		.142
Ohlendorf	3	1	1	0	0	0		.333
Presley	0	0	0	0	1	0		.000
TEAM TOTALS	36	7	10	7	1	6
BATTING: 3B: Overbay (1) HR: Walker (1), Alvarez (1), Tabata (1) RBI: Walker (1), Jones (2), Alvarez 3 (5), Tabata 2 (2) GIDP: McCutchen (1)
FIELDING: E: Cedeno (1)

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Castro	4	1	1	0	0	1		.500
Fukudome	4	1	2	2	0	0		.375
Byrd	4	0	1	0	0	1		.250
Ramirez	4	0	0	0	0	1		.125
Pena	4	1	1	0	0	2		.125
Soto	4	0	1	0	0	0		.125
Soriano	4	0	2	0	0	1		.625
Barney	2	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Dewitt	1	0	0	0	1	0		.000
Zambrano	2	0	1	0	0	0		.500
Colvin	1	0	0	0	0	0		.000
TEAM TOTALS	34	3	9	2	1	6
BATTING: 2B: Soriano (1) 3B: Pena (1) HR: Fukudome (1) RBI: Fukudome 2 (2) GIDP: Byrd (1)
BASERUNNING: SB: Castro (1), Soriano (4)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Ohlendorf (W, 1-0)	7.0	7	3	3	1	5		3.85
Moskos (H, 1)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0		0.00
Hanrahan	1.0	1	0	0	0	1		0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	9	3	3	1	6

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Zambrano	5.2	5	4	4	0	3		6.35
Marshall (L, 0-1)	1.1	2	1	1	0	1		6.75
Stevens	1.1	3	2	2	1	2		13.50
Grabow	0.2	0	0	0	0	0		0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	10	7	7	1	6

Game Notes: Alvarez is hot for the Pirates already with 5 RBI's....The Cubs cut their strike out numbers from 12 to 6....Fukudome hit a 1 out line drive down the left field line that a Diving Tabata couldn't glove, because of it he was able to scamper around for an Inside the Park Home Run...The Cubs had 9 hits for the second day in a row...Darwin Barney went out with a broken arm on a routine ground out, he will be out for up to 3 months and was put on the 60 Day DL....Esmailin Caridad was called up immediately following the game as the Bullpen has been overworked in the first two days of the season.

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Bucs pull out Brooms!

Chicago (AP)- The Pirates swept the Cubs today in Chicago, Matt Garza was only able to pitch three innings and needed the bullpen to take over from there. The Cubbies tried to get back into the game but were unable to do so and ended up losing 11-7.

PIT at CHC - Wrigley Stadium
Apr 3, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh Pirates (2-0)	3	0	3	3	0	2	0	0	0	11	17	0
Chicago Cubs (0-2)	1	0	2	1	0	0	0	3	0	7	13	1
W: Maholm (1-0) L: Garza (0-1)

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
McCutchen	5	1	2	0	0	1		.142
Walker	5	1	1	1	0	2		.307
Doumit	5	1	1	1	0	0		.307
Jones	5	4	3	0	0	1		.538
Alvarez	5	3	5	4	0	0		.615
Overbay	5	1	2	4	0	1		.307
Tabata	5	0	1	0	0	1		.153
Cedeno	3	0	1	1	1	0		.200
Maholm	3	0	1	0	0	1		.333
TEAM TOTALS	41	11	17	11	1	7
BATTING: 2B: Walker (1) 3B: Alvarez (1) HR: Doumit (1), Alvarez (2), Overbay (1) RBI: Walker (2), Doumit (1), Alvarez 4 (9), Overbay 4 (4), Cedeno (1) SAC: Maholm (1) GIDP: Overbay (1), Tabata (1)

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Castro	5	2	2	0	0	0		.461
Fukudome	4	1	1	0	0	0		.333
Byrd	4	1	1	2	0	1		.250
Ramirez	4	1	2	2	0	0		.250
Pena	4	2	2	2	0	0		.250
Soto	4	0	1	0	0	1		.166
Soriano	4	0	3	0	0	0		.666
Baker	4	0	1	0	0	2		.250
Garza	0	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Johnson	1	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Hill	1	0	0	0	0	0		.000
Colvin	1	0	0	0	0	0		.000
DeWitt	1	0	0	0	0	0		.000
TEAM TOTALS	37	7	13	6	0	4
BATTING: 2B: Ramirez (1) HR: Byrd (2), Ramirez (1), Pena 2 (2) RBI: Byrd 2 (3), Ramirez 2 (2), Pena 2 (2) GIDP: Baker (1)
BASERUNNING: SB: Castro 2 (3), Soriano (5)
FIELDING: E: Castro (1)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Maholm (W, 1-0)	7.2	11	6	6	0	3		7.04
Meek	1.1	2	1	1	0	1		3.85
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	13	7	7	0	4

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Garza (L, 0-1)	3.0	10	6	4	1	3		12.00
Samardzija	1.0	4	3	3	0	1		27.00
Marshall	3.0	2	2	2	0	1		6.23
Russell	2.0	1	0	0	0	2		0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	17	11	9	1	7

Cubs Corner: Alvarez was a Cub killer all series with 9 RBIs....Sean Marshall pitched again today and again gave up runs....James Russell held down the fort allowing only 1 hit in the 8th and 9th inning combined for the Cubs...Despite giving up 6 earned on 11 hits Maholm gets the win...Cubs will stay at home to host a 3 game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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League Roundup

3/31-4/3 Transactions
Chicago Cubs
4/2 Placed, 2B, Darwin Barney on 60 Day DL with Broken Arm
4/2 Recalled RP, Esmalin Caridad from Triple-A, Iowa

Los Angeles Dodgers:
3/31, 2B, Aaron Miles placed on 15 Day DL
3/31, Recalled SS, Dee Gordon
4/2, Sent RP, Blake Hawksworth to Triple-A Alburquerque
Minnesota Twins
4/3 Placed LF, Delmon Young on the 15 day DL (Fractured Wrist)
4/3 Recalled RF, Joe Benson from Triple-A Rochester

San Diego Padres:
4/2, Recalled RP, Enesto Frieri from Triple-A Tucson

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Cubs Lose another one at home, go 0-4 for the season.

Chicago (AP)- Despite the Cubs getting out to an early 5-2 lead in the 3rd inning, the D-Backs were able to claw back with an outstanding 5 homeruns. The Cubs on the other hand hit 4 deep two coming from hot upstarts Marlon Byrd and Carlos Pena.

ARI at CHC - Wrigley Field
Apr 4, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Arizona Diamondbacks (2-1)	0	2	0	3	1	3	0	1	0	10	18	0
Chicago Cubs (0-3)	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	10	0
W: Kennedy (1-0) L: Wells (0-1)

Arizona Diamondbacks
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Upton	5	1	1	1	0	1	1	.388
Johnson	5	1	1	0	0	2		.125
Montero	5	2	2	3	0	0	2	.222
Branyan	5	2	2	1	0	1	1	.294
Drew	5	3	4	2	0	0	1	.375
Nady	5	1	2	0	0	3		.375
Mora	5	0	3	2	0	0		.533
Young	5	0	2	0	0	1		.176
Kennedy	3	0	1	1	0	2		.333
Bloomquist	1	0	0	0	0	0		.500
Blum	1	0	0	0	0	0		.333
BATTING: 2B: Branyan HR: Upton, Montero (2), Branyan, Drew RBI: Upton, Montero 3, Branyan, Drew 2, Mora 2, Kennedy

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Fukudome	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	.235
DeWitt	4	0	2	0	0	1	0	.333
Byrd	4	2	2	1	0	1	1	.312
Ramirez	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Pena	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.250
Soriano	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.500
Baker	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.285
Hill	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.200
Wells	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Castro	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.455
Colvin	1	1	1	1	0	0	1	.250
BATTING: 2B: DeWitt (1) HR: Byrd (3), Pena (3), Colvin (1), Hill (1) RBI: Byrd (4), Pena 2 (4), Colvin (1), Hill 2 (2)
BASERUNNING: SB: Castro (4)

Arizona Diamondbacks
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Kennedy (W, 1-0)	6.0	7	5	5	0	6		7.50
Kroenke (H, 1)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2		0.00
Heilman	1.0	2	1	1	0	1		5.40

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wells (L, 0-1)	6.0	16	9	9	0	9	5	13.50
Caridad	3.0	2	1	1	0	1	0	3.00

Cubs Corner: Marlon Byrd and Carlos Pena both hit their 3rd Homerun today.... Both Byrd and Pena have 4 RBIs....Esmalian Caridad who was recently called up made his first appearnce and lasted 3 innings in relief.....Caridad was sent down after the game for utility infielder Bobby Scales....Koyie Hill hit a home run in his first plate appearance of the season....

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Scales gets the call

Chicago (AP)-Bobby Scales has been recalled from Triple A Iowa. Due to the recent injury to Darwin Barney the Cubs are a man short on their bench and Scales looks to be the man to replace the injured Barney. Scales can play every position in the field except for catcher.

In a corresponding move Esmalian Caridad has been sent down to Triple A Iowa. Caridad appeared in 1 game with the Cubs and pitched for 3 innings. (0-0, 3.00ERA)

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Cubs get first win, in Extras!

Chicago (AP)-Alfonso Soriano came up big today in the 10th inning with an RBI single that scored Starlin Castro with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Kerry Wood picked up his first win of the year after shutting the D-Backs down in the top of the 10th.

ARI at CHC - Wrigley Field
Apr 5, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Extras	R	H	E
Arizona Diamondbacks (2-1)	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	12	0
Chicago Cubs (0-3)	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	0	0	1	6	13	0
W: Wood (1-0) L: Gutierrez (0-1)

Arizona Diamondbacks
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Upton	5	0	2	0	0	0		.391
Johnson	5	0	0	0	0	1		.095
Montero	5	0	0	0	0	1		.173
Branyan	5	2	2	0	0	2		.318
Drew	5	1	2	2	0	1		.380
Nady	4	0	2	1	0	1		.400
Mora	3	1	1	0	0	1		.500
Young	4	1	2	2	0	2		.238
Galarraga	3	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Bloomquist	1	0	0	0	0	1		.400
Roberts	1	0	1	0	0	0		.600
Blanco	1	0	0	0	0	1		.000
BATTING: 3B: Young HR: Drew, Young RBI: Drew 2, Nady, Young 2

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Castro	5	1	1	0	0	1		.400
Fukudome	3	1	2	1	1	0		.300
Byrd	4	1	1	1	1	0		.300
Pena	4	1	1	1	0	0		.250
Soriano	5	1	3	1	0	2		.523
Soto	4	0	2	2	0	0		.250
Baker	0	0	0	0	0	0		.285
Scales	3	0	1	0	1	1		.333
DeWitt	4	0	0	0	0	0		.200
Cashner	2	0	0	0	0	1		.000
Colvin	2	1	2	0	0	0		.500
Ramirez	1	0	0	0	0	1		.235
BATTING: 3B: Soto (1) HR: Pena (4), Soriano (2) RBI: Fukudome (3), Byrd (5), Pena (5), Soriano (2), Soto 2 (2) HBP: Pena
BASERUNNING: SB: Fukudome 2 (3), Byrd (1), Soriano (6) CS: Byrd, Colvin

Arizona Diamondbacks
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Galarraga	6.0	9	4	4	2	2		6.00
Mickolio (BS,1)	0.2	2	1	1	0	1		9.00
Vasquez	1.1	1	0	0	0	2		0.00
Gutierrez (L, 0-1)	1.0	1	1	1	1	1		4.50

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Cashner	7.0	9	5	5	0	5		6.42
Grabow	2.0	3	0	0	0	4		0.00
Wood (W, 1-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3		0.00

Cubs Corner: Jeff Baker went down with an injury in the first inning... Bobby Scales who had just gotten to the clubhouse was inserted into the lineup... Baker will be out for a couple of days with a muscle strain...Marlon Byrd and Carlos Pena both hit their 5th RBI...Pena hit his 4th Home Run of the season...