Winless Samardzija Impressive (Once Again)

May 22, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Thursday thoughts (or reasonable facsimiles thereof): Chicago Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who entered Wednesday’s game against the visiting New York Yankees winless on the season, pitched seven shutout innings (allowing four hits) and left with a 2-0 lead. So naturally the bullpen allowed two ninth-inning runs in what would become a 13-inning, 4-2 Yankees victory. As the saying goes, if Samardzija didn’t have bad luck, he wouldn’t have any luck at all.

Maybe Stephy C can take Blackhawks fans’ minds off a 6-2 Game 2 loss. Credit: Johnnycagephotography

* On the bright side for the Cubs, what better way to impress the Yankees than with a stellar Samardzija performance and a Cubs loss. And a courtesy reminder to Cubs fans: Every loss helps the Cubs close in on a top draft choice. Nothing close to a postseason presence, but what do you want?

* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here is that it is not), the Cubs are the only big-league team with the same number of runs scored as runs allowed: 174. You can think of 174 as the team’s magic number — or possibly how many years it might take for the Cubs to capture their first World Series since they last one (1908).

Video of Kindly Myers is below. For those who care (and even for those who don’t).

* Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney, a late-inning defensive replacement, committed his second error of the season in the Yankees’ ninth-inning rally. Meaning Barney, who is batting .176, has as many errors as he does extra-base hits. On the bright (?) side, both extra-base hits are home runs.

* Speaking of Cubs stats, Anthony Rizzo had three walks in an 0-for-3 afternoon. He has 35 walks and 32 strikeouts this season. He is tied for the National League lead in walks with Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen. There’s nothing like being a league leader to generate excitement (if not runs).

* Speaking of stats, the highlight of the Chicago White Sox’ 3-1 loss to the host Kansas City Royals just might have been first baseman Adam Dunn walking three times. Which tells you a lot about Sox highlights.

* Speaking of Dunn’s walks, he has 32 for the season. Which is more than Alexei Ramirez (10), Jose Abreu (10) and Tyler Flowers (11) combined. Feel free to draw your own conclusions about all that.

* Speaking of the White Sox, former Sox star Minnie Minoso will be the sole guest on Thursday’s “Sports & Torts” at noon Central on Talkzone.com. David Spada has an interview held at U.S. Cellular Field that will cover the entire 60-minute show. For those who are unable to tune in at noon or for those who want an encore performance, the show will be available later Thursday at the Talkzone.com web site.

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