August 28, 2011

• Iowa.Cubs.com, RedHawks Locke Up a Win over Cubs http://iowa.cubs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110828&content_id=23849514&vkey=news_t451 &fext=.jsp&sid=t451

• Knoxville News Sentinel, Double plays bail out Smokies against Suns http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/27/double-plays-bail-out-smokies-against-suns/

• Daytona Beach News-Journal, Daytona Cubs rally past Jays http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/baseball/daytona-cubs/2011/08/28/daytona-cubs-rally- past-jays.html

• Daytona Beach News-Journal, Daytona Cubs' Cerda treasures 2001 Littile League World Series journey http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/baseball/daytona-cubs/2011/08/28/daytona-cubs-cerda- treasures-2001-littile-league-world-series-journey.html

• Peoria Journal Star, Chiefs hold off Kane County http://www.pjstar.com/sports/chiefs/x1688625281/Chiefs-hold-off-Kane-County

• Peoria Journal Star, Capie: Easterling puts horsehide before pigskin http://www.pjstar.com/sports/chiefs/x426955511/Capie-Easterling-puts-horsehide-before-pigskin

• Idaho Statesman, Volcanoes shut down Hawks http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/08/28/1775900/volcanoes-shut-down-hawks.html

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Iowa.Cubs.com RedHawks Locke Up a Win over Cubs By Randy Wehofer

Oklahoma City, OK - Drew Locke's solo in the top of the eighth inning was the deciding run in the Oklahoma City RedHawks (63-72) 2-1 victory over the (62-73) at RedHawks Field tonight. The RedHawks have won three in a row over the Cubs and now lead this series 5-3 with one game left to play. The RedHawks lead 9-6 in the season series.

Cubs' starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx worked six strong innings and allowed just one unearned run. In the bottom of the third inning, Anderson Hernandez reached on a two-out single and scored when Bryan LaHair dropped a fly ball off the bat of Brett Wallace in deep left field for an error. With his hit, Hernandez extended his hitting streak to a league-best 25 games.

The Cubs tied the game with an unearned run of their own in the sixth inning. With one out, Marwin Gonzalez doubled. With two outs, the RedHawks intentionally walked Bryan LaHair to face D.J. LeMahieu. LeMahieu hit a bouncing ball to shortstop, but Hernandez threw wide of second for an error and Gonzalez raced home with the Cubs only run.

Carlton Smith followed Bibens-Dirkx to the mound for the Cubs. He retired the RedHawks in order in the seventh, but gave up the home run to Locke leading off the eighth. Smith (0-2) would be charged with the loss.

RedHawks' starter Lucas Harrell (5-2) worked through eight innings and picked up the win. He allowed three hits, walked six (two intentionally), and struck out seven. Jeff Fulchino gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Flaherty in the ninth, but stranded him on base to earn his second save.

The Cubs and RedHawks wrap up this series tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 at RedHawks Field. RH Alberto Cabrera (3-4, 6.61) will start for the Cubs against LH Andy Van Hekken (7-6, 3.51) for the RedHawks. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the Safeco On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 3:45.

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Knoxville News Sentinel Double plays bail out Smokies against Suns By Adam Greene

SEVIERVILLE — The defense had been on target all night, but with their fourth double play, the held on to a 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns on Saturday night at Smokies Park.

"Both teams really struggled with men on base tonight," Smokies Brian Harper said. "We both stranded a lot of runners and we just got that one hit that they didn't."

The Smokies finished 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Jacksonville was 3-for-11.

Tennessee (79-53, 36-26 Southern League second half) and the Suns (66-66, 29-33) meet up for game three of their five-game series today at 5 p.m.

The win helps the Smokies keep pace with the SL North-leading Chattanooga Lookouts, who played a doubleheader against the Mobile BayBears on Saturday. The Smokies opened the day trailing the Lookouts by 1½ games.

Tennessee pounced on Suns starter Bryan Evans (2-1) immediately, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a walk and two straight base hits, including an RBI from center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. A sacrifice fly from first baseman Rebel Ridling put the Smokies up 2-0 before the stands were even full.

The Smokies' defense was sharp from the beginning, getting the first two outs with a double play in the first and ending the second inning on a double play. A pitching mistake by Tennessee's Eric Jokisch gave Jacksonville its first run in the third. Suns third baseman Paul Gran began the inning with a fly-ball double into left field. Gran was moved to third with a ground out from shortstop Chris Gutierrez, then scored on a Jokisch wild pitch.

Jacksonville tied the game in the sixth with an RBI from right fielder Kyle Jenson. The Suns couldn't add to the lead thanks to the third Tennessee double play of the night.

The Smokies pulled back ahead in the bottom of the inning. Right fielder Nelson Perez reached on a single, then went to third on Nate Samson's 16th double of the season. Jacksonville manager Andy Barkett made the call to intentionally walk the next batter, third baseman David Macias, and pitch to reliever Kevin Rhoderick.

Instead, Harper brought in team batting leader Ty Wright to pinch hit, and the move paid off. Wright knocked a double off the right-field wall, clearing the bases for three RBIs.

"He (Wright) has three big pinch hits lately in big situations," Harper said. "He's got a bad ankle going and he just comes out and swings the bat. That gave us a little breathing room."

Rhoderick (7-0) picked up the win, even though he pitched just two-thirds of an inning and faced just one batter.

Jacksonville pulled within a run in the eighth with a two-RBI single from pinch-hitter Jim Negrych.

Rafael Dolis picked up his 16th save for the Smokies, pitching the final 1 innings, giving up two hits.

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Daytona Beach News-Journal Daytona Cubs rally past Jays By News-Journal services

DUNEDIN -- Logan Watkins' two-run homer and Abner Abreu's two-run single keyed a five-run ninth inning as the Daytona Cubs rallied past the Dunedin Blue Jays 7-4 in a Florida State League game Saturday.

Down 4-2 in the ninth, Matthew Cerda walked, singled and Jake Opitz singled to load the bases with one out. Abreu's single scored Cerda and Soto. After a wild pitch advanced Opitz to third and Abreu to second, Matthew Szczur hit a sacrifice fly that scored Opitz. Watkins followed with a two-run homer.

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Daytona Beach News-Journal Daytona Cubs' Cerda treasures 2001 Littile League World Series journey By SEAN KERNAN

DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona Cubs infielder Matt Cerda loves the Little League World Series.

And for good reason.

It takes him back to his childhood, and fond memories of when baseball was just a game shared by an 11-year-old Little Leaguer, his teammates and his dad.

Cerda was a spunky catcher for Oceanside (Calif.) American Little League's All-Stars that represented the West in the 2001 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was a great experience, probably one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life," Cerda said after a recent D-Cubs game.

Cerda has been watching some of the Little League World Series on TV this year. He always watches some of the games played in Little League's mecca.

"It brings back great memories watching those games," the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Florida State League All- Star infielder said. "I watch and think, 'I played on that field right there.' It's a good feeling. It's a bunch of kids just enjoying baseball. It's really highly competitive, and they do a really good job."

Cerda and some of his Daytona teammates might even watch a little of the championship game at noon today on ESPN before the Cubs play the Blue Jays in Dunedin at 5 p.m.

The versatile infielder and his father cherish those memories from 10 years ago. Not even the heartbreaking experience of getting knocked out by a team that cheated spoiled the adventure.

CHEATING EXPOSED

The Rolando Paulino Little League All-Stars out of the Bronx, N.Y., had a star pitcher named Danny Almonte. The left-handed flame thrower had what TV announcer Brent Musburger described as "a million-dollar arm," but there were suspicions that Almonte, who was from the Dominican Republic, was older than the Little League limit of 12 years.

"When you were watching (Almonte) play, you could see that he was playing way above his supposed age," Mike Cerda -- Matt's dad and Oceanside's third-base coach -- recalled in a phone interview. "The kid, just the way he conducted himself on the mound. The way he threw the hard stuff, there was no way we could catch up to it, and then he'd come back and throw that slow curveball. He was really tough. He had that long, long arm span. He was throwing 79-80 miles an hour."

Almonte's fastball from the 46-foot distance between mound and home plate was like a 100-mph major league heater.

And Matt, just barely 11 years old, had to lead off against Almonte, who was -- as it was later uncovered by Sports Illustrated -- older than 14.

The pint-sized Cerda -- 4-foot-10 and 82 pounds at the time -- had come into the U.S. Championship semifinal having gone 7-for-8 with a walk in nine plate appearances. Almonte struck him out three times, including the final at-bat in the one-run loss.

Cerda took the defeat hard, but he soon bounced back and a few days later entered his first year of middle school.

"We didn't know anything about (Almonte's) age or anything, so we were just trying to go up there and put something in play," recalled Cerda, who's now 21. "We didn't have much success against him. It just so happened that he was older. By the time they found out, there was nothing that could be done about it. We were home.

"Yeah, it was a bummer that he was older, but I don't hold any grudges or anything. It wasn't the kid's fault."

Apopka beat the Bronx in the U.S. Championship game. Almonte couldn't pitch because he was coming off the complete-game win against Oceanside. Apopka, which was representing the Southeast Region, went on to lose 2-1 to Tokyo Kitasuna in the LLWS championship game.

As for Almonte, he went on to play high school, junior college and independent league baseball, but he never was drafted or signed by a major league organization.

FOND MEMORIES

Despite the disappointing ending for the Oceanside All-Stars, Matt Cerda, his parents and the player's older siblings all have happy memories that are rekindled this time of year.

"It was a little different having 20,000 people watch you play," Mike Cerda said. "I still try to watch the games. It's amazing to see these kids play now. It brings back great memories."

Cerda and Seattle Mariners minor league pitcher Bobby Shore are the only Oceanside All-Stars playing pro baseball. They hope to create bigger memories down the road, but the Little League World Series won't be forgotten.

"One of my buddies just posted a picture of the whole team on Facebook, so that was pretty sweet," Cerda said.

Mike Cerda, ever the coach, still remembers everything about the loss to The Bronx, including a missed call by the second-base umpire that allowed a Bronx runner to remain on base and eventually score the game's only run.

TV replays showed -- and Musburger pointed out -- the runner never tagged second base on his way to third. Oceanside appealed the play to no avail.

"There were a lot of emotions going," Mike Cerda recalled. "I think both teams thought whoever won that game was going to win the American championship. I don't think anyone really gave us a chance because Almonte was pitching, but we played a good game."

The Cerdas have a replica West jersey framed and displayed at their Oceanside home. Friends made a scrapbook of newspaper stories that still get read from time to time.

But maybe the best memories of all from the trip are those between father and son.

"If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't be anywhere," said Cerda, a fourth-round selection by the in 2008. "Just to be able to experience that with him was a blast. It's what every Little Leaguer dreams about."

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Peoria Journal Star Chiefs hold off Kane County By Journal Star staff

GENEVA — The took out the frustration of a seven-game losing streak on the ’s best pitcher and then held on for a 4-3 win over the on Saturday.

The Chiefs scored four runs in the second inning against Greg Billo, who brought a 1.74 ERA into the game.

Taiwan Easterling hit a basesloaded triple and then scored on Rubi Silva’s sacrifice fly.

Kane County scored one run in the eighth and one more in the ninth against reliever Yohan Gonzalez.

The Cougars still had the bases loaded and one out against Roderik Pichardo. The Chiefs erased one runner at the plate on a ground out.

Angel Franco singled to right to score one run, but Anthony Giansanti threw out the tying run at the plate to end the game.

For the record

Winning pitcher — Starling Peralta (3-5), 6 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts.

Losing pitcher — Billo (9-5), 6 innings, 11 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.

Save — Pichardo (1), 2/3 inning, 1 hit, 1 walks.

Chiefs — improve to 56-75 overall, 23-38 second half.

Big sticks

Chiefs — Easterling 2-for-5, triple, run scored, 3 RBI; Silva 2-for-4, RBI; Ben Klafczynski 2-for-4, run scored; Jesus Morelli 2-for-4, run scored.

Cougars — Alex Llanos 3-for-4, run scored.

Notable

In addition to the game-ending out, Giansanti threw out a runner at third for his league-leading 22nd and 23rd outfield assists. … Peralta completed six innings of work for the first time in his career.

Sunday

Peoria (RHP Luis Liria 1-3, 4.68) at Kane County (RHP Yordano Ventura 3-5, 4.48), Elfstrom Stadium, Geneva.

Internet — www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive

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Peoria Journal Star Capie: Easterling puts horsehide before pigskin By Kevin Capie

This has been a different sort of August for Peoria Chiefs center fielder Taiwan Easterling.

Instead of going through two-a-days and getting ready for football season, Easterling entered his second month as a player. That takes a different kind of toll than preseason camp.

“For me, it was getting used to playing every day,” Easterling said. “The travel and all was different from what I was accustomed. I’m tired right now going from baseball to football to baseball again.”

Easterling could have returned for a final season at Florida State, where he played in 14 games and caught 43 passes for 551 yards and five touchdowns.

Instead, Easterling signed with the Chicago Cubs, who picked him in the 27th round in the June draft. Easterling hit .296 in 55 games in just his second year with the Seminoles baseball team, after taking two years off from the sport.

Unlike some dual-sport athletes, Easterling wasn’t going to wait and use football as leverage. He signed shortly after the draft.

“I just really had made up my mind and wanted to play and start on my career as soon as I could,” Easterling said. “I graduated and made the decision to come out and put all my focus on baseball.”

Easterling was drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins, but then did not play baseball in his freshman and sophomore years at FSU.

REFOCUSED: The Chiefs made the final turn and are now officially in the homestretch of the 2011 season. But there will be no horse race for them in the final eight days, which presents a different sort of challenge.

“This is where you dig deep,” outfielder Anthony Giansanti said. “A lot of guys have been here for 100 games or a couple months, other guys have been moving around. This is a true test of what you have in your gut to try and finish out the year strong.”

At this point, the players are playing for themselves. And, like the old cliché, it’s never too late to learn. There’s still time for improvement.

“You love to see that, when a pitcher goes out and makes an adjustment or a hitter takes heart with what (hitting coach) Ricardo Medina has been working with him,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “We’ve talked about it’s how you finish. The guys have to continue to make the adjustments and how finish the year.”

MILESTONES: Although the season is winding down, the pursuits of some Chiefs records are heating up.

Richard Jones can make the biggest dent at some single-season and career records. The first baseman has an outside chance at the team single-season RBI mark. Jones broke into the top 10 this week. The record is 104 set by Victor Garcia in 1987.

Jones also has a chance to be the first Chiefs player to lead the Midwest League in RBI. He has 91, one behind South Bend’s Yazy Arbelo with 92.

Jones has 22 home runs this season and could reach the top five in the single-season list.

Jones has already broke into the top 10 in both the career RBIs and home runs list with his two homers and 17 RBIs during his 2010 stint in Peoria.

If Austin Kirk makes his final two scheduled starts, he’ll tie for third with a host of former pitchers with 28. Henrique Gomez and David Swartzbaugh each started 29 in 1990.

WIN BIG: The Chiefs are giving fans plenty of chances to win during their final game of the season on Sept. 5.

As part of Fan Appreciation Day, the team will have a $5,000 giveaway. Fans 18 and over will be given a ticket upon entering O’Brien Field with the drawing to take place in the middle of the eighth inning. Fans must be present to win.

All fans will receive a ticket to the 2012 home opener, which will mark the start of the franchise’s 30th season overall and 10th at O’Brien.

And, the first 1,000 fans will receive a coupon for a free Little Thickburger from Hardees.

Because Fan Appreciation Day falls on a Monday, the regular special for half-price tickets will be in effect.

INSIDE PITCHES: Seven Chiefs are scheduled to participate in the Chicago Cubs’ fall Instructional League. Position players Rubi Silva, Taiwan Easterling, Dustin Geiger and Micah Gibbs and pitchers Starling Peralta, Luis Liria and Frank Del Valle will head to the Cubs’ complex in Mesa.

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Idaho Statesman Volcanoes shut down Hawks By Idaho Statesman staff

Boise couldn’t generate much offense in a 6-1 loss against Salem-Keizer on Saturday night in Keizer, Ore.

Third baseman Dustin Harrington went 3-for-4 and scored the Hawks’ only run, but the rest of the batting order produced only four more hits in the loss.

Left fielder Ryan Cuneo went 0-for-4 and saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end.

Boise finishes its season-long, 11-game road trip with one more game at Salem-Keizer on Sunday.

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