News
Johnson to lead off for Cubs vs. lefties
Chicago (41-39) vs. Atlanta (39-43), 7:05 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
07/07/09 4:52 PM ET
CHICAGO -- When Lou Piniella is looking for another leadoff possibility, Reed Johnson will be the man.Johnson, one of three players added to the Cubs' active roster on Monday, has led off most of his baseball career, and has a career .287 average batting first. Piniella has inserted Kosuke Fukudome into the No. 1 spot in place of Alfonso Soriano, who has been struggling at the plate.
Johnson, however, has been used mainly against left-handed pitching, and the Cubs don't face a southpaw in their series against the Atlanta Braves, which continues Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. But Piniella said after Monday's game he would insert Johnson into the leadoff spot against lefties.
"It's something you think about, and it's been a spot where I've been my whole career," Johnson said. "All the way from college to the big leagues, I've been in the top three spots in the lineup. It's familiar territory for me. "If it does work out that way, and I'd get a chance to face left-handed pitching at the top of the order, I'll approach it the way I have in the past," he said. Johnson was hitting .268 with four homers and 16 RBIs when he was sidelined with a low back strain on June 21. He's hit fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth so far this year. He's now one of the favorite players of the Peoria Chiefs. During the three-game rehab stint with Aramis Ramirez over the weekend, the big leaguers provided some clubhouse food for the Class A players, including submarine sandwiches before last Friday's game. "Guys were fired up -- they're used to peanut butter and jelly," Johnson said. "We were saying they are definitely more spoiled than when I was in Low-A ball. Our fields and facilities, I don't remember them being that nice." If the Triple-A Iowa team had been playing at home, the two Cubs would've gone to Des Moines. But they were in New Orleans. "I'm sure the Peoria guys were glad to see us," Johnson said. Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.50)
Ryan Dempster was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a right toe fracture, and Carlos Zambrano, who was scheduled to start Wednesday, will move up a day. Zambrano notched his 10th quality start in his last outing against the Brewers, but didn't get the win. He also picked up an RBI single. Big Z wasn't throwing 95, 95 mph as usual, but effectively used his slider, and gave up one run on five hits over seven innings. He was effective. He just needs some more run support. Zambrano has not faced the Braves this year. ATL: RHP Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.05 ERA)
Vazquez's recent run of tough luck continued on Thursday against the Phillies, when he threw 5 1/3 innings and surrendered two runs on his way to a no-decision. Over his last six starts, Vazquez has surrendered just 10 earned runs in 41 2/3 innings of work, but has just one win to show for his efforts. His last win came against the Cubs at Turner Field on June 22, when he threw 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Tidbits
The Cubs went 24-25 with Ramirez on the disabled list. ... The Cubs dealt Ryan Freel to the Royals for cash considerations or a player to be named. That deal does not have to be finalized until Oct. 15. Freel was designated for assignment on July 2. ... Mitch Atkins gave up seven runs on four hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning Sunday in Iowa's 9-1 loss to New Orleans. Atkins is now 5-9 with a 6.77 ERA. ... Casey Coleman threw eight shutout innings Sunday in Tennessee's 6-0 win over Carolina. Coleman struck out four and gave up two hits and walked three. He's now 9-3 with a 2.56 ERA. Tyler Colvin had three hits, including his seventh home run. ... Rafael Dolis threw five shutout innings in Daytona's 6-4 loss to Dunedin on Sunday. Starlin Castro, who will play for the World Team in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game, hit his third home run. Josh Vitters, who will play for the U.S. team, had two hits. ... Marcus Hatley gave up three runs on five hits over three innings Sunday in Peoria's 4-2 loss to Beloit. Nelson Perez hit a solo homer and Michael Brenly had three hits. ... The Cubs' rotation for the upcoming series vs. the Cardinals will be Rich Harden on Friday, All-Star Ted Lilly on Saturday and Randy Wells and Ryan Dempster on Sunday in the day-night doubleheader. It has yet to be determined who will pitch which game on Sunday. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 4-3, 3.50) vs. Braves (Kenshin Kawakami, 4-6, 4.46), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Cubs (Rich Harden, 5-5, 5.35) vs. Cardinals (Brad Thompson, 2-5, 4.92), 1:20 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.
