News
Fox itching to contribute with Cubs
Chicago (23-22) vs. Los Angeles (33-15), 7:05 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
05/27/09 6:48 PM ET
CHICAGO -- Jake Fox didn't have a locker when he first arrived at Wrigley Field, but he'll be all set for Thursday's game, the first of four against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs needed to make room for Fox, who was leading the Pacific Coast League in the Triple Crown categories: batting average (.423), home runs (17) and RBIs (50). "Any time you start off like that, it's a great surprise," Fox said of his amazing numbers for Triple-A Iowa. "I feel like it's carried over from the end of last season to winter ball and Spring Training. I've gotten my swing to where I need it to be. I feel very consistent at the plate. I feel I have a consistent approach every time." Even though his power numbers are impressive, what Lou Piniella liked to see was Fox's 14 doubles. The Cubs rank 15th in the National League in doubles with 74, including an RBI two-bagger from Fox in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Pirates. They simply haven't been driving the ball. Now, they have to find a place for Fox to play. "We'll see how we can get him incorporated into our scheme of things," Piniella said of Fox, who worked out at third and in the outfield on Wednesday. "He'll try to catch a few ground balls at third, try to catch a few in the outfield, play at first base. If nothing else, he'll be a nice bat off the bench. When we play against the American League, he comes into play DH-wise." Fox did admit he was getting antsy at not being called up, but Iowa manager Bobby Dickerson advised him to focus on what he could control. That's it. As for hitting, Fox credited Barbaro Garbey, who worked with him in Double-A, with giving him some tips about his swing and shortening it up. "My focus is to show up and keep doing the same things I've been doing," Fox said. "It speaks to his character, and it's a great message to the kids who are out there," Cubs player development director Oneri Fleita said. "You have to worry about things you control." Fox knows Cubs fans have high expectations. "That's going to happen -- it's a big-market team," Fox said. "They're always looking for answers, but they're right here in the clubhouse. Maybe me coming in will give them a spark. They have a very talented team." Fox can't wait to contribute. "He's become a hitter, he's become a very good hitter, with a very good knowledge of the strike zone and hits balls to all parts of the field and is very good in situational hitting," Fleita said. "Sometimes in this game it takes a while to develop that." Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Randy Wells (0-1, 1.50 ERA)
Wells had his third straight strong start, allowing three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out seven against the Padres in a 3-1 loss on Saturday. The three runs were the first runs he had given up after throwing 20 scoreless innings to start his Major League career. He committed a balk and hit a batter, both of whom scored. His first two starts were in place of Carlos Zambrano, who is on the DL, and his start Saturday was in place of Rich Harden, who is also on the DL with a mid-back strain. Wells threw 95 pitches, 61 for strikes. LAD: LHP Randy Wolf (2-1, 3.02 ERA)
Wolf was hurt by the long ball against the Angels, allowing a solo home run to Juan Rivera and a three-run blast to Torii Hunter. He said his pitches caught too much of the heart of the plate. He didn't allow a walk, but was touched for 10 hits. The Dodgers battled back to give Wolf his seventh no-decision of the season, tied for the league lead. Tidbits
At the pace they're on, the Cubs are projected to have a 100-run dropoff from last year's totals. The Dodgers have shown the biggest improvement from a year ago and are more than 200 runs ahead of last year's pace. ... Actor William Petersen will sing the seventh-inning stretch on Thursday, actor Joe Mantegna on Friday, broadcaster Larry King on Saturday and Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber on Sunday. ... Triple-A Iowa will play the Las Vegas 51s on Aug. 9 at Wrigley Field in a sanctioned Pacific Coast League game. ... Cubs season-ticket holders teamed up with the Cubs to donate 150 tickets to Wednesday's game for the USO of Illinois. ... The Cubs will face three left-handers in the Dodgers series. They've faced seven so far, fewest in the Majors. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
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• WCIU, MLBN On radio
• WGN 720 Up next
• Friday: Cubs (Ted Lilly, 5-4, 3.77) vs. Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 6-2, 2.82), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cubs (Ryan Dempster, 3-3, 4.99) vs. Dodgers (Eric Stults, 4-1, 4.29), 3:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Cubs (Sean Marshall, 3-3, 3.70) vs. Dodgers (Eric Milton, 1-0, 3.00), 7:05 p.m. CT
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
