Cubs Party to End Season

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Cubs Season Ends

Since winning their last World Series in 1908, the Chicago Cubs battle cry season-after-season has been "wait 'till next year." The Murphey Candler AA Cubs now have that same battle cry.

The Cubs season came to an end on Wednesday night when they lost their opening round playoff game to the Diamondbacks 7-1.

The Cubs got, arguably, AA's finest pitching performance of the year from Parker Garrett who threw a team-record 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Of his 40 pitches, 35 were strikes. Parker allowed just 2 hits and struckout a club-record 9 batters. But it wasn't enough to overcome the lackluster bats.

The Cubs totalled just 2 hits: a frozen-rope double to center field by Mick Madden and a towering RBI double to right by a bulked-up Parke Schalon.

The defensive gem of the game was turned in by catcher Jack Bapst, who whipped off the mask to make a diving grab of a foul pop up. Trevor Meyer also flashed the leather at shortstop, making a slick pick-up and then gunning down a would-be base runner.

Despite the disappointing loss coach Matt Garrett deemed the season a major success. "These guys worked harder than I could have ever imagine, and I'm proud to be their coach," said the teary-eyed coach, obviously not ready for the season to end. Assistant coach Mike Madden was more pragmatic. Said Madden, "remember I'm used to endings like this. I'm a life-long Cubs fan." Madden refused to blame the Curse of the Billy Goat (see Mike for more details).

More pictures to follow over the next few days.

Cubs Celebrate Family Day in Style

Showing no signs of 12 days off, the Cubs celebrated Family Day at Murphey Candler by ripping the Orioles 12-2 in their regular season finale. Coach Matt Garrett said it was the perfect way to head into the playoffs. "Our guys are ready," proclaimed the confident coach who saw his team finish the rain-shortened regular season with a 5-6-1 record. The playoffs likely open on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Three Cubs pitchers, Parker Garrett, Mick Madden and Charley Casey, combined on a 2-hitter, striking out 9 Orioles in a game shortened to 4 innings by the mercy rule. Parker turned in his best mound performance of the season, at one point striking out 7 batters in a row. He struck out the side in the 2nd inning, requiring just 11 pitches.

Gameball honors were shared by Mick and Parke Schalon. Not only was Mick stellar on the mound, but banged out 3 hits, knocked in a run and scored another. As for Parke, he drew two walks and scored a run while turning in a pair of defensive gems.

It was a big game for Trevor Meyer who walked twice and scored three times; Charley had a base hit and scored twice; Parker ripped a double, 2 singles, knocked in two runs and scored twice; Alex smashed 3 towering balls into the outfield while knocking in 3 runs; Jordan roped a single and scored a run; Blake Byrd had a walk and an RBI; Brandon Shockley walked to knock in a run; Jack "Nike" Bapst drew two walks and scored; and Jack Fiscella nearly gunned down a runner at the plate with a perfect strike from 3rd base.

Mets Beat Up on Cubs

There's a reason the Mets are in first place in Double A. They are a very good baseball team, as the Cubs found out for the 2nd time this season. The Mets jumped out to an 8-0 lead on Monday evening, cruising to a 12-8 victory.
The high point for the Cubs - the defensive gem turned in by Parke Schalon, who earned Gameball honors. Playing second base, Parke snagged a hard-hit ball that had right field written all over it. He turned and threw a strike to first to retire one of the most dangerous hitters in the Mets lineup.
Hitting starts included Jack Fiscella who ripped a single to right field scoring the Cubs first two runs of the game; Parke walked and scored twice; Blake Byrd walked and scored a run; Jordan Bass roped a base hit, walked and scored; Brandon Shockley walked and scored; Jack Bapst was his usual stellar self behind the plate; Mick took one for the team getting hit by a pitch; Alex collected another base hit; Charley drew a base on balls; Parker Garrett roped a triple and single, knocking in 3 runs; and Trevor Meyer was an offensive force ripping a single and double, knocking in a run and scoring twice.

Cubs Fit to Be Tied

An early morning first pitch for the Cubs began with donuts and Mimosas (only the parents partook of the latter), and ended with a 9-all tie against the Diamondbacks.
The Cubs forged ahead 9-5 on the strength of a 4-run bottom of the 4th inning, but the D’backs scored 4 in the top of the 5th to force the stalemate.
Once again the Cubs had sensational efforts along the way. Jordan Bass notched Gameball honors by walking twice and scoring,at the time, the go-ahead run in the 4th inning.

Parker Garrett, Trevor Meyer, Mick Madden and Alex Tate all pitched well, combining to strike out 12 D’backs.
The defensive play of the game came when the D'backs speedy Dylan Kovitch ripped a sharp grounder to Alex at shortstop. His throw to first was a low bullet that Parker made a great scoop to get Kovitch by an eyelash.
Charley Casey banged out a hit and was a workhorse behind the plate; Trevor was on base all 3 times with 2 perfect bunt singles and a walk. He also had an RBI and scored twice. Parker drove in 2 runs with a key hit in the 4th; he also had a hit and scored a run in the 1st.
Alex had a double in the 4th inning; he walked and scored 2 runs. Mick walked twice and scored a run; Blake Byrd drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk, he also ripped a ball to the left side of the infield but was robbed of a base hit by the shortstop. Brandon Shockley did an exceptional job in the field and Jack Fiscella walked and scored a run.

Cubs Not A-Okay

Despite a tremendous game by Jack Bapst, who banged out two hits, knocked in two runs and was stellar behind the plate, the Cubs fell to the A's 8-6.

It was an amazing top of the first inning in the field for the Cubs. They recorded the first out when Trevor Meyer tagged out a runner at third on a heads-up throw by pitcher Charley Casey. The second out was courtesy of catcher Mick Madden, who made a nifty grab of a foul pop up. The third out came when shortstop Parker Garrett threw a BB to first baseman Alex Tate to erase what appeared to be a base hit.

The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, with Charley literally stealing the first run of the game. He reached on an infield single, then proceeded to steal both second and third base before scoring on a passed ball (pictured). Trevor lashed a base hit and scored a run; Alex Tate scored two runs; Mick had a line drive base hit; Blake Byrd walked twice and knocked in a run; and Parker walked twice and scored a run. Parke Schalon, Brandon Shockley, Jordan Bass and Jack Fiscella also performed admirable.

Rockies Rally Past Cubs, Margaritas Flow Freely

Facing two of the Double AA League's toughest pitchers, the Cubs managed to scratch out 3 runs, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Rockies 7-3. Even in defeat, this feisty Cubs squad had its moments. They escaped any damage in the top of the first inning when Alex Tate threw a BB to Parker Garrett who applied the swipe tag to the runner for the final out. Later in the game, Parke Schalon threw out a runner at the plate, thanks to a nifty tag by Mick Madden. Parker also shined on the mound, coming into the game in the 3rd inning and getting out of a jam by striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.
The Cubs got clutch hitting out of Alex Tate, Charley Casey and Trevor Meyer. Alex hammered a triple to right field and then scored on a two-out single by Charley. Later in the game, Trevor came through with a two-out single scoring Blake Byrd.

After the game, the Cubs made their way to Twisted Taco to eat and drink away their troubles!