News
Hill becoming true Ironman behind plate
Chicago (49-45) vs. Cincinnati (44-51), 12:05 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
07/24/09 6:26 PM ET
CHICAGO -- Catcher Geovany Soto is still on track to return the first week in August, which means Koyie Hill won't be getting a breather anytime soon behind the plate. Hill caught all seven games on the Cubs' trip to Washington and Philadelphia, which included a 13-inning game against the Phillies. He was behind the plate Friday, and will be back on Saturday for Game 2 of the Cubs' series against the Reds. Technically, Jake Fox is the backup. "We talked about bringing up another catcher here," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "Where it hurts us is the fact that Fox has done well pinch-hitting and it's hard to utilize him in that role. When I used him the other day, I told [pitcher Randy] Wells he's my backup catcher." That's not as odd as it sounds, because Wells was a catcher before he was converted to a pitcher. So was reliever Carlos Marmol. "We know we're in a precarious situation," Piniella said. "We're trying to ride this thing out. We don't want to send out the 12th pitcher and at the same time, our bench, we're comfortable with the way it's set up now. If we need somebody, we'll have them here the following day." Wells started on Friday in the series opener against the Reds, and may be on call in an emergency Saturday. Maybe not. "How about if Wells pitches the first seven and catches the last two?" Piniella said. "That would give ESPN and the rest of the networks something to talk about." That didn't happen. Hill is the first Cubs catcher to throw out at least one runner attempting to steal in four straight games since Joe Girardi did so from June 22-25, 1990. Hill likes his Ironman role. "I work hard to keep my body in shape so I can go out there and play every day," Hill said. "You have to. You'd be a blob over here playing once a day. You have to be a good athlete to be behind the plate. I take a lot of pride in that. As far as catching every day and being the everyday catcher, it shows." He's not relying on any energy drinks or power bars to keep going. "It's au natural," Hill said. "I'm just excited being out there." So, if the Cubs are hesitant to use Fox, who is the backup? "I'm the backup backup," Hill said. "I back myself up." Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Kevin Hart (1-1, 2.30 ERA)
Hart is starting in place of Ted Lilly, who has soreness in his left shoulder. Hart picked up his first win as a starting pitcher against the Nationals. The right-hander gave up five runs on five hits over five innings. He didn't get a celebratory beer shower or a pie in the face -- he'd won two games in the big leagues as a reliever, so it wasn't a huge milestone. But it was significant to Hart. He does have to cut down on the walks; he's issued 15 free passes in 15 2/3 innings. CIN: RHP Johnny Cueto (8-6, 3.67 ERA)
Cueto didn't have his best stuff on Sunday against the Brewers in a no-decision, but he kept them in a game they would eventually win, 5-3. After he gave up three runs through his first three innings, Cueto didn't allow any over his final three innings of work. Cueto, who allowed 10 hits, was unable to pick up his first win since July 1. He did post his first quality start since that win, however. Cueto will face the Cubs, who he has had success against this season. He picked up his first win of the season against them April 22 when he threw seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win. Tidbits
Aaron Miles went 2-for-4 in Iowa's 5-1 win over Omaha on Thursday. Miles was batting .225 in 10 games for the Iowa Cubs. Casey Fossum picked up the win, giving up one run on five hits over seven innings. ... Hung-Wen Chen gave up two runs, one earned, on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings in Tennessee's 2-1 loss to Mobile. Chen struck out four. ... Craig Muschko threw five scoreless innings in Daytona's 7-0 win over Palm Beach. Josh Vitters had two hits, and has hit safely in four of the last five games. ... Justin Bristow threw six scoreless innings, striking out eight, in Peoria's 5-0 win over Lansing. ... Logan Watkins extended his hitting streak to 15 games in Boise's 6-2 win over Eugene. ... Director Robert Zemeckis led the crowd in the seventh inning stretch on Friday. On Saturday, actor Carlos Bernard of the show "24" is to sing, followed on Sunday by LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri. Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson is to sing Monday, followed on Tuesday by WGN Radio's Garry Meier, on Wednesday by Ron Santo, and on Thursday by Scott Sanderson. Tickets
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• Sunday: Cubs (Rich Harden, 6-6, 4.76) vs. Reds (Micah Owings, 6-10, 5.33), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Monday: Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 7-4, 3.48) vs. Astros (Wandy Rodriguez, 10-6, 2.72), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: Cubs (TBD) vs. Astros (Roy Oswalt, 6-4, 3.66), 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.
