The Rundown: Fowler and Bryant Return to Lineup, Donn Roach Gets the Start Today, Soler Close to Rehab Assignment, Sandberg Resigns as Phillies Manager
Last night’s 3-2 loss to the Cardinals was a rough one.
The Cubs once again put up a high number of hits, but couldn’t push across many runs. They have out-hit their opponent four games in a row, and only have one win to show for it — and that win was a 1-0 in extra innings.
Crooked numbers are going to come pretty soon, I think. (I hope.)
Some good news for the offense: Dexter Fowler was back in the lineup leading off last night. And Kris Bryant returned after leaving Thursday’s game with flu-like symptoms.
Bryant said before Friday’s game that he has been dealing with bad allergies since last weekend. He also addressed any speculation that he had left the game because he was hungover:
Bryant on rumors he was hungover Thu. "I think if u know type of person I am, you know what I believe in. A trade would be more believable."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 26, 2015
Here’s hoping the Cubs can string together a couple wins this weekend, and get over the hump known as the Cardinals.
Roach starting
Tsuyoshi Wada’s shoulder still isn’t 100 percent, so the Cubs will be giving the ball to Donn Roach today.
Roach has pitched well in Triple-A this year. The Cubs will have to make a roster move, which will be announced today.
I’m glad Roach is getting the opportunity. Joe Maddon doesn’t want to mess around with pulling Travis Wood out of the bullpen, since he has done such a nice job in that role. And I’m pretty sure the Cubs don’t trust Edwin Jackson as a starter anymore.
It sounds like the Cubs hope Wada will only miss one start. The lefty left Monday’s game with cramping in his shoulder.
Miss you, buddy
Here’s a nice sight:
https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/614558935610097664
That’s Jorge Soler testing his ankle before yesterday’s game. He should be beginning a rehab start in a couple of days.
He can’t come back soon enough.
Other notes
* Outfielder Billy McKinney is the hottest-hitting prospect in baseball right now, according to Baseball America. The “other guy” in the Jeff Samardzija/Jason Hammel trade with the A’s last year, McKinney hit 9-for-13 this week, with five runs, one home run, six RBIs and zero strikeouts. Outfielder Mark Zagunis also made the prospect hot sheet, coming in as the No. 17 prospect. He went 6-for-14 this week, with four runs, two homers and three RBIs.
* In a surprising move, Ryne Sandberg resigned from the Phillies manager job yesterday. He leaves with a record of 26-48 this year. The former Cubs star really never had much of a chance with an aging Phillies club and a front office that admitted before this season that they would be rebuilding for the next couple of years.