Browse: Home / / Enhanced Box Score: Diamondbacks 5, Cubs 6 – April 5, 2011

Enhanced Box Score: Diamondbacks 5, Cubs 6 – April 5, 2011

By Brett on April 5, 2011

And with that, the Chicago Cubs are over .500 for the first time since 2009. The offense was adequate today and the starting pitching was superb (hopefully Cashner’s shoulder issue is not serious). But the middle relief – like last year – remains a concern…

Posted in | 13 Responses

Brett Taylor is the lead writer at Bleacher Nation, and can also be found as Bleacher Nation on Twitter and on Facebook.

13 responses to “Enhanced Box Score: Diamondbacks 5, Cubs 6 – April 5, 2011”

  1. TWC
    TWC
    April 5, 2011 at 6:38 pm |

    Hey, how about Koyie Hill’s awesome day! Ass. Useless ass. I was absolutely shocked that they pitched around him in the 7th to get to Russell. There are kids on my son’s t-ball team that I’d pitch around to get to Koyie Hill.

    1. Ace
      Ace
      April 5, 2011 at 8:46 pm |

      That t-ball tee has a hell of a splitter.

  2. TSB
    TSB
    April 5, 2011 at 7:13 pm |

    I’m worried about Starlin Castro. If he get’s too good, there will be calls to “trade him for prospects”, the favorite post of certain cub fans. Anytime a player is at the top of his game, they come out of the woodwork.

    1. CubsFanatic
      CubsFanatic
      April 5, 2011 at 7:48 pm |

      Castro has already been labeled “Untouchable”. They were asked numerous time to trade him and they have refused to even listen to offers. Castro will be our SS/2B for years to come. Hopefully we can get him some better help this or next season.

    2. Ace
      Ace
      April 5, 2011 at 8:47 pm |

      Nah. He’s dirt cheap for several years to come. He’s going nowhere.

      1. wax_eagle
        wax_eagle
        April 6, 2011 at 10:08 am |

        Ace,

        Do the Cubs have any impetus to do something like the Ray’s have started doing with their young players? Guarantee them more now in exchange for their entire arb period and their first year of FA with a couple of options? It would be nice if Castro/Cashner/Marmol were amenable to something like this.

        1. Ace
          Ace
          April 6, 2011 at 5:11 pm |

          Probably not – it’s a common strategy for smaller market clubs that won’t have the cash to pony up when the later arb years and early FA years come. The Cubs will continue to do what they do – sign guys when they get closer to the end of their arb years.

          1. wax_eagle
            wax_eagle
            April 7, 2011 at 8:45 am |

            I guess that makes sense, if you can afford whatever someone is going to want in Arb then its better to take the risk of paying them what they are worth.

            1. Ace
              Ace
              April 7, 2011 at 8:47 am |

              Exactly. Of course, it assumes the Cubs will continue to be a deep pocket team…

  3. roughriider
    roughriider
    April 5, 2011 at 8:13 pm |

    Starling Castro will be with the Cubs for at least the next five years and maybe 10 or more.

  4. Bric
    Bric
    April 5, 2011 at 8:40 pm |

    Great win and all, but I think we just saw the real Mateo and Spell check. I saw Mateo pitch last ST and he was god awful against minor leaguers. I remember Dolis looked much better at the time (and he’s in AA now).
    Unfortunately, this bullpen’s still four or five good arms and the other two spots are going to be a revolving door of Samjay, Mateo, Berg, Stevens, Coello, Diamond, and every other scrub in Iowa until Coleman and Carpenter are ready (which won’t be until September).

    1. Ace
      Ace
      April 5, 2011 at 8:48 pm |

      You’re totally right. Hopefully Coello and Carpenter are ready in a hurry. Or a guy like Kyle Smit; or a surprise like Dolis or Alberto Cabrera. There really are a ton of options, it’s just a matter of finding the right kid.

      1. wax_eagle
        wax_eagle
        April 6, 2011 at 9:09 am |

        Unfortunate that Spell Check’s contract has him in the pen until he gets hurt.