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I don't want to be an evangelist for a vegetarian diet, though I have been a strict vegetarian since 1973. What people eat is their business, not mine. From a transition standpoint, however, and from the viewpoint of sustainability, I think I can argue that in hard times a vegetarian diet would be easier to manage. The problem most people have with a veggie diet is the fear that they won't get enough protein. Others can make the argument as to why protein is not really an issue better than I can. I will attest to the fact that I've never found it a problem.
A second argument against vegetarianism is that certain body types need meat and certain people don't feel well on a vegetarian diet. This one is hard to dispute but I can only attest that I've known hundreds of vegetarians and even raw foodists of various body types and most seem to survive on the veggie diet.
I am suggesting that everyone experiment with a vegetarian diet. Consider it preparation for hard times. Try it for a month so you know you won't die. Learn to prepare brown rice, quinoa, couscous and polenta. Sprout some sunflower seeds. Cook big veggie soups. Roast and steam vegetables. If you crave fat, experiment with nut pates and nut milks. Make some cheese. Clever cooks might want to attempt some meat substitutes like gluten steaks.
Recently there have been a couple of high profile additions to the ranks of vegetarians. Pro golfer Phil Mickelson was recently diagnosed with something called psoriatic arthritis. He is getting a shot each week for the condition but has also switched to a veggie diet. This is not his preference. In fact, it causes him some PR problems as he is a principle owner of Five Guys Burgers. Phil told assembled reporters that he guessed they'd have to develop a veggie burger.
And then there's Bill Clinton:
Back in early May I wrote about sugar and my pledge to quit eating it. So how's that going? Well, actually, pretty well. Still not eating sugar, chocolate, ice cream, desserts with sugar, condiments with sugar, cans of stuff with sugar or the new, re-branded "corn sugar" aka high fructose corn syrup. Result is I've lost fifteen pounds of sweetness. As a percentage of my weight, not huge. But noticeable, and helpful for endurance and reducing knee pain. But I think that fifteen pounds is all I'm going to get from not eating sugar. I'll have to figure out something else to give up to get down to the next level. Hopefully, I have reached Peak Waist.
Our food supply is essentially junk, cans of stuff laced with corn syrup, corn fed beef loaded with antibiotics, chickens that have never seen the light of day, water full of chlorine and fluoride. Another big advantage of living on an island—cleaner water, cleaner air, access to chickens that can actually walk, chicken eggs with yellow yolks, and the opportunity to buy grass-fed beef.
I've been a vegetarian for many years. Vegetarianism is no guarantee of good health. There's just as much junk veggie food. And now vegetarians must come to terms with the truth that soy products and our old standby, tofu, are junk food as well producing a number of unsavory side affects and compounded by the fact that 90% of soybeans are now GMO.
"The average number of products
carried by a typical supermarket has more than tripled since 1980,
from 15,000 to 50,000. In 1998 alone, manufacturers introduced more
than 11,000 new foods. More than two-thirds of them were condiments,
candy and snacks, baked goods, soft drinks, cheese products, and ice
cream novelties–much of it loaded with empty calories."
The food and candy industry spends about $6billion a year advertising. Restaurants spend almost as much. Thus, we are compelled to buy Cheetos and eat Bic Macs.
Getting ready for the future means getting healthy, cleaning up, eliminating poisons from the diet. The best advice is to not eat any packaged food or processed food. Everyone needs to work on Peak Waist.
What's Transition Whatcom up to? They have several events on the calendar.
Check here for their events schedule.
Most notable: on Oct 3 from 4-5pm Transition Whatcom is sponsoring a visit to Village Books by James Kunstler who is touring for his novel The Witch of Hebron. Kunstler is always provocative and a prominent writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
Note that their Oct 10 event involves the Beach School
Time: October 10, 2011 from 9am to 4pm
Location: Bellingham City Hall
Event Description:
A Transition Whatcom Event!
The local 10-10-10 event begins at 9 am on the steps of Bellingham City Hall. Live music, info booths and speakers get us started, with Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike planting our first tree in the Bellingham Public Library grounds at 10:10 a.m. Then we load up bike trailers with our assembled plants and head to the school to plant the new additions to the school garden. Bring your energy and enthusiasm, and a shovel if you can!
We will be planting at Alderwood, Birchwood, Columbia, Roosevelt and Parkview Elementary Schools, Shuksan and Fairhaven Middle School, Squalicum High School – all in the Bellingham School District plus Beach Elementary School (Lummi Island) and the Lummi Nation School.
We still need bike trailer folks to transport the plants from City Hall to the schools, Planters at each school, and help with staging the Kick-off event.
The day before (Saturday) we need a pick-up brigade to transport donated compost to the school locations.
Be a part of this great event:
Tristan Bach: firstname.lastname@example.com
Rob Olason: email@example.com
Stephanie Davis: firstname.lastname@example.com
Jill MacIntyre Witt firstname.lastname@example.com; email@example.com
Commenter Windy had this to say about my post on We're Doing Nothing About Peak Oil:
"One of the problems with addressing peak oil is there is no alternative and unless the laws of physics change there won't be one. All of the so-called alternative energy sources and alternative transportation designs are thinly disguised frauds intended to harvest subsidies from a clueless federal government. If oil doubles then food prices will double. When oil is gone then 2/3rds of the food will go with it. The world population is on the verge of 7 billion and it is likely that in a world without oil we couldn't support even 1/3rd that. So when you talk about preparing for peak oil you either have to talk in doublespeak or speak the truth and scare the bejesus out of everyone. There is no alternative to cheap energy, there never will be at least not an alternative that will support billons and allow for democracies to exist. You are literally talking about the end of the world as we know it. The good news is it won't happen suddenly (unless Russia and China see an opportunity) and it won't happen soon. It will happen gradually and you still have a few years to eat drink and be merry."
I suppose if one's goal is business as usual there is no alternative. But that's the whole point of the Transition Movement: we need to get ready for something different. There are alternatives to cheap energy: scaling down, scaling back, living closer to work, working at home, developing local sources of food, getting by with less, driving less, car pooling, using public transportation, rebuilding the train network, higher mileage standards, ridding junk food from the diet, behaving sustainably. Peak oil doesn't mean no oil. Peak oil means a declining supply of oil.
And, yes, we are talking about the end of the world as we know it. Will it necessarily be worse? I don't think so. We had great cities and great civilizations before the age of cheap oil. The end of cheap oil will mean lots of good things. For example, it could mean the end of corporate dominance of our food supply. We finally got a chance to view Food Inc. the documentary film which demonstrates how completely our food supply is controlled by a small handful of companies, companies who could give a rat's ass about health, environment or their workers. There is a lot of focus in the film about the meat industry which essentially provides death and extermination camps for animals, fed on the wrong diet and genetically engineered to provide the tastiest parts of meat. Food Inc. ends with an optimistic beat but I found the film overwhelmingly depressing. We are so screwed when it comes to our food supply. Corporate greed and malfeasance have reached the point where one looks forward to "the end of the world as we know it."
The fix is in on the Federal level. There's no one who will take a principled leadership position.
There are several systems of medicine in the world. Our hospital based system is referred to as allopathic. Contrasting systems are naturopathy, Chinese, and Ayurvedic. Americans are pretty much locked in to allopathic practice (by insurance and a huge amount of brainwashing). Allopathic practice essentially involves the application of drugs to sets of symptoms which are normally identified with a name (ie. lupis, or fibromyalgia, diabetes). The overriding premise of allopathy is that once you get your disease you must treat it with chemicals or radiation. You are sort of stuck with it and might work your way to remission. But, once you are diabetic, that's it. Insulin forever. It's much like saying that once your leg is broken, that's it.
But the body seems inclined to heal itself. The broken leg being a good example. Sure it helps to have it set properly. And, hospital based medicine does a good job with trauma. It also helps to have a cut pulled together and stitched. That done, the body follows its design and begins to heal. Why won't any diseased organ or system heal naturally if given the proper environment and conditions to do so? Naturopathic medicine postulates that the body can heal itself without pharmaceutical assistance. It's a concept which is difficult to get through one's head. The following talk in seven parts by Doc Shillington clearly outlines the principles of naturopathy. It takes an hour to listen.
A declining economy will affect our ability to get medical care. Transportation costs and the inconvenience of travel will inhibit the ability of islanders to travel for medical care. It seems prudent to me that everyone familiarize themselves with self-care, taking responsibility for one's own health and not relying on pharmaceutical solutions as remedies.
"The U.S. was warned in 2005. Its own Department of Energy commissioned a report by Robert Hirsch to examine peak oil and its potential consequences to the US. The introduction stated:
"The peaking of world oil production presents the U.S. and the world with an unprecedented risk management problem. As peaking is approached, liquid fuel prices and price volatility will increase dramatically, and, without timely mitigation, the economic, social, and political costs will be unprecedented. Viable mitigation options exist on both the supply and demand sides, but to have substantial impact, they must be initiated more than a decade in advance of peaking."
The main conclusions reached by the experts who worked on this report were:
1. World oil peaking is going to happen, and will likely be abrupt. World production of conventional oil will reach a maximum and decline thereafter.
2. Oil peaking will adversely affect global economies, particularly the U.S. Over the past century the U.S. economy has been shaped by the availability of low-cost oil. The economic loss to the United States could be measured on a trillion-dollar scale. Aggressive fuel efficiency and substitute fuel production could provide substantial mitigation.
3. The problem is liquid fuels for transportation. The lifetimes of transportation equipment are measured in decades. Rapid changeover in transportation equipment is inherently impossible. Motor vehicles, aircraft, trains, and ships (and ferries) have no ready alternative to liquid fuels.
4. Mitigation efforts will require substantial time. Waiting until production peaks would leave the world with a liquid fuel deficit for 20 years. Initiating a crash program 10 years before peaking leaves a liquid fuels shortfall of a decade. Initiating a crash program 20 years before peaking could avoid a world liquid fuels shortfall.
5. It is a matter of risk management. The peaking of world oil production is a classic risk management problem. Mitigation efforts earlier than required may be premature, if peaking is long delayed. On the other hand, if peaking is soon, failure to initiate mitigation could be extremely damaging.
6. Economic upheaval is not inevitable. Without mitigation, the peaking of world oil production will cause major economic upheaval. Given enough lead-time, the problems are soluble with existing technologies. New technologies will help, but on a longer time scale.
The Hirsch Report clearly laid out the problem. It urged immediate action on multiple fronts. It is now 5 years later and absolutely nothing has been done. In the meantime, it has become abundantly clear that worldwide oil production peaked between 2005 and 2010. The Hirsch Report concluded we needed to begin preparing 20 years before peak oil in order to avoid chaos. We are now faced with the worst case scenario."
I made a jar of bread and butter pickles. Actually, several jars. They are all lined up on the counter in clear quart containers as pretty as pickles at a fair. The turmeric and mustard seed powder provide a spicy yellow cast to the green of the cukes. The finished pickles seem to float in a cloudy suspension of flavor, a promise for the bland winter winter months when the zesty taste will remind us of the garden.
Learning to can is a breakthrough in the re-skilling process that I believe is a necessary step in increasing self-sufficiency. Canning seemed difficult the first few times. But it turned out to be a management problem, organizing pots and burners, juggling jars and lids. It's not that hard; just time consuming and energy consuming. It takes lots of electrical power and gallons of water to process a jar of pickles. On a kitchen-sized scale you couldn't charge enough for a jar to even get your money back. But that's not the point. It's not a business. It's preparation for time when the store may not have pickles, or beets, or jam or jelly or chutney, or beans or for a time when one can't easily get to the store or for a time when one doesn't have money to buy them. And, it's an attempt to extend the eating season.
When I was growing up our family never seemed to have much food on hand. Both my parents worked and at six o'clock mom and dad would burst in with a bag of groceries and whip something up. There might have been some freezer jam making in the summer but our food was mostly stored by the local grocer. Many of us still live this way with three or four days of food on hand, about the same amount the stores have. Some claim that if the trucks were to quit running the groceries would be gone in a few days.
On our family trips to my father's parent's farm in Virginia I was in awe of the food. There was a root cellar packed to the brim with jars of virtually everything: fruits, veggies, jams and pickles. On the floor were bins of apples and potatoes. Hams, bacon and shoulders were salt/saltpeter cured in a separate storage building, the meat house, then put into a burlap or paper sacks and hung on poles along the meat house rafters for curing. They'd last for years. (My cousin Lew, who still owns his father's farm across the street from our grandparent's former farm says, "In our meat house, on a damp fall day I can still smell ham when I go in there, even though there hasn't been a pork product in residence for 30 years or more.")
This was pretty much a subsistence farm, operating until the early fifties not unlike it had operated in the nineteenth century. The folks on the farm knew how to do everything from digging an outhouse, planting a garden, caring for animals, putting food by, fixing machinery, baking, carpentry and dairying, to the small things like giving haircuts. It was operated by family members with a few long-time helpers from the neighborhood.
Contrasted to the Virginia farm was my maternal grandfather's farm (they called them "ranches" for some reason) in the San Juaquin Valley where mono-culture was taking over—in this case alfalfa for hay. There was no garden, no jars of food on the shelf. And the workers were from Mexico. We called them "wetbacks" back then. These farmers, though, still had some skills. They could fix stuff, keep machinery running and handle a cow or two. They relied much more heavily on chemistry rather than manure.
I compare the ability of previous farm-based generations to my nuclear family where we hired everything out because my dad didn't have time to do it, though he had probably learned it on the farm. He was working. Mom was working. My brothers and I were sitting around after school watching TV. We didn't learn much that was practical. We lost all those skills that were there just a generation or two before.
I'm betting we're all going to need to relearn skills that we've lost. We won't have to learn every skill. Knowing who can do things is a skill in and of itself. But it's important to recapture what has been lost while we've been driving around in cars buying stuff.
Digging a garden and getting something to grow is huge accomplishment, not to mention getting a fence up, constructing bean poles, plus sharpening and refinishing tools.
A jar of pickles is a big victory for me and an important step in re-skilling.
Taking responsibility for your own food leads one to an attempt to 1). Extend the growing season and 2). Extending the eating season. The traditional methods for doing this are canning and freezing and we are busy doing both having frozen lots of pole beans and beet greens. We've also pickled lots of beets and made zucchini relish and bread and butter pickles. It's comforting to have shelves full of jars of food, particularly tasty condiments, jams and chutneys, to spice up meals during the winter months.
But canning and freezing are not very energy efficient. You need to use large quantities of water and significant amounts of electricity to preserve food this way. In addition, much of the nutrient value of the food is lost through canning (less through freezing) as you heat the food to kill bacteria. More importantly, enzymes are destroyed by heating.
The raw food movement is based on the idea that life-giving enzymes are
destroyed by cooking and the tremendous heat imparted to canned foods in the water bath to create safe seals.
I'm trying to learn techniques of extending the eating season to supplement canning and freezing. Preserving Food Without Canning and Freezing is an excellent place to start.
There are lots of traditional (pre-electric) techniques for storing and preserving food: cold storage, drying, lactic fermentation, salting, storing in oil, sugar and alcohol. Preserving Food Without Canning and Freezing is packed with interesting ideas. Here's a sample:
Nasturtium seed capers
Toward the of summer collect the green seeds from nasturtiums that have lost their blossoms. Put these in a jar along with dill leaves and a good white wine vinegar. The taste and shape are somewhat reminiscent of capers."
Some of the Maine Islands didn't like the fact that they had no seat at the table. So they went to work and got their own tables and with it the tax base to run their islands.
In 2002, Chebeague Island started talking about self governance:
On June 9, 2005 NPR filed this report:
"Many of Chebeague Island's 350 year-round residents feel they pay more money in taxes then they get back in services. But those pushing for self-government say money is not their primary concern. Some worry that the mainland town government doesn't take their needs into account sufficiently. Others note cultural differences. Cumberland was once dominated by farmers. It's now a Portland suburb, a bedroom community for urban professionals. The island remains rural and many of its residents are lobstermen.
Still others worry about schools. Last year, the mainland-based school district proposed eliminating the fourth and fifth grades in Chebeague's school. Older students already ride the ferry to school. Many islanders worry that the move to transfer younger children to the mainland would lead to the shutdown of the island school.
Losing an island school is often the first step to losing an island's year-round population. "If that happens, we'll lose our community that everybody here just… cherishes," says island mechanic Dave Stevens. "It'll turn into a summer community. We're just not about to let that happen."
Though other islands have done it, secession won't be easy. Both the town of Cumberland and the Maine legislature must approve before Chebeaguers get a chance at self-government."
Years earlier, "…in 1993, Long Island seceded from the City of Portland to form its own independent town, comprising Long Island itself and several smaller islands. The secession process was unprecedented in Maine history at the time. The Town of Long Island maintains a high level of municipal services and amenities. Its mil rate, at less than $5.50 per thousand, is the lowest in Cumberland County and one of the lowest in the state.
"…since gaining sovereignty Long Island has improved its roads, refurbished the community hall, built a major library/school addition, purchased an emergency boat, and established a town hall where islanders can take care of all the business they previously did by way of a long ferry ride to Portland. All this, and taxes are a third lower than they would otherwise have been."
Chebeague Island "won independence from Cumberland after votes in the Maine Senate (31-3) and House of Representatives (131-1) on April 5, 2006. [1] The separation took effect on 1 July 2007."
The Island Institute has this to say about Self-Governance and Secession:
Governance has changed significantly over the history of the islands; some islands incorporate as a municipality with neighboring islands, others become independent from mainland governance or other islands, some remain as plantations governed by the State's Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC).
Today, of Maine's 15 year-round island communities, eight are independent municipalities, two are part of one town, three are part of a mainland municipality and two are plantations. Some island communities have decided that they would prefer to secede from their mainland municipality and establish self-governance.
Secession is a long, difficult process, but it does happen. In 1992, Long Island in Casco Bay successfully seceded from the City of Portland to become an independent town. In 2007, the Town of Chebeague Island was established after the island seceded from the Town of Cumberland. Secession can, however, be an extremely controversial topic, dividing families and pitting neighbor against neighbor. The Island Institute believes that all island communities have the right, if not the duty, to make the best decisions for their future sustainability. We carefully and thoughtfully consider each discussion of secession based on an island's needs and circumstances.
Here's a link to an article from April 2009 on how things are going on Chebeague:
I've obviously become fascinated with the fifteen populated islands in the Maine Archipelago. They are dealing with many of the same problems and challenges we face on Lummi Island: transportation to and from the island, resupply, maintaining schools, accommodating summer visitors, making money, renewable energy, clean water, waste disposal, development, governance and sustainability.
There are many similarities between the Maine Archipelago and the San Juans (which we belong to geographically, if not politically). The Maine Islands have been at it a lot longer and they have more help.
The Island Institute is a non-profit organization with 30-35 employees and a nearly $5 million annual budget that acts as an umbrella organization for Swan's, Chebeague, North Haven and all the the others in this interesting and varied group.
The Island Institute has a list of priorities worth emulating. Click the link for more details on each of their priorities:
1. Affordable housing. "Affordable housing is essential to the sustainability of vibrant year-round island and working-waterfront communities."
2. Climate Change. "This project began with a lobstermen's round-table discussion of observations that might be tied to global warming: changing times for peak catches; changing weather-patterns, etc."
3. Fisheries. "The sustainability of Maine's year-round islands and its working coastal communities depends on healthy fisheries. Should they collapse, these vibrant places would soon lose their schools, their young families, their churches, libraries and historical societies and their general stores."
4. Historical Societies. "Historical Societies play important roles in communities, storing the collective memories of current and past residents and offering a glimpse of the past events that have impacted and determined the community's development and identity."
5. Island Agriculture. "Since its inception in 1983, the Island Institute has focused on island sustainability, working in partnership with year-round islanders, whose heritage is that of living and thinking sustainably."
6. Island Governance. "Self-governance is extremely important to most island communities because it ensures that the people who best understand these unique challenges and needs – islanders – make the decisions that most affect their lives."
7. Land Use. "Geography presents the most salient of island limits, but a finite amount of 'space' has many more implications than simply the amount of land available to build homes. Wise, informed land use considers the importance of land for multiple uses: residential and commercial development, working-waterfront access, open space for recreation and wildlife, wetlands to recharge aquifers, and much more."
8. Libraries . "Island libraries not only have some of the highest per-capita circulation rates in the state but also serve as critical gathering places, providing relaxing and comfortable public spaces for community members."
9. Marine Spatial Planning "This project is designed to document how island and coastal communities use and depend on marine areas."
10. Renewable Engery. "Because most basic services, such as electricity, communications infrastructure, oil and gasoline, must all be transported to the islands, their rising costs are becoming prohibitively expensive for many islanders."
11. Schools/Education. "Because island and working-waterfront communities place such a high priority on their schools and the education of their children, we have made them a focus of our own efforts."
12. Working Waterfront Access. "For 25 years, the Island Institute has devoted extensive resources to protecting what remains of Maine's "working waterfronts"—the saltwater access (both coastal and estuarine) that supports commercial fishing and a host of other fishing-related jobs…"
Very impressive, I think. Who is doing this kind of thinking and planning for Lummi Island?
"North Haven, one of Maine's fourteen unbridged island communities, lies in Penobscot Bay approximately twelve miles from the midcoast city of Rockland. It is served by a Maine Department of Transportation ferry making three round trips a day from Rockland.
The island's ferry link is of course dependent on the whims of wind and tide.
Its year-round population of 381 (2000 Census) swells in July and August with the return of families who own or rent seasonal homes on the Island. In 2007. North Haven celebrated the 160th anniversary of its name day (and its 161st year of independence from Vinalhaven).
North Haven is an island town proud of its traditions, its independence, its treasured natural beauty and its unique community of twelfth generation natives, fourth (as well as first) generation seasonal residents, retired and pre-retired baby boomers, maverick spirits, new arrivals, young year-round families, old bachelors, reconstructed hippies, young farmers, not-so-young Grangers, artists, sailors, artisans, fishermen, boat-builders, babies, politicians (of past, present and future renown), actors, makers-of-many-things, brides, romantics and curmudgeons. There is overlap among these categories.
North Haven supports an accredited K-12 community school, that is housed in a building completed in 2008, beautiful enough to inspire a generation of scholars, community spirits and re-dedicated island eccentrics. Perhaps the most unusual public school in America, the North Haven Community School was paid for by $6.2MM in private donations and $1.9MM in municipal bonds.
Every baby on North Haven has a name, of course. What is less usual is that everyone who lives on North Haven knows the names of those babies and salutes them, our future. We celebrate our Emmas and Anas, Cadens and Ezras and Zekes, Warrens and Baileys, Helas, Cyruses, Ritas (and of course all the rest).
The Town maintains its own water and sewer systems. The former is a state of the art slow sand filtration plant and the latter is a primary treatment facility.
The Town operates the North Haven Medical Clinic as a department of the Town. It is staffed by two family nurse practitioners in rotation with one another with occasional supplementary coverage provided by physicians and other nurse practitioners.
Volunteers staff emergency medical and fire services. No town is better served.
Law enforcement is provided by a Knox County Deputy Sheriff, proving that there is indeed law east of the Breakwater.
North Haven is governed by a Board of Selectmen, who are elected at an annual Town Meeting. On a day to day basis the Town is managed by an appointed Town Administrator."
"The Maine State Department of Transportation operates a ferry service three times daily from the midcoast city of Rockland, at 9:30 AM, 2:15 PM and 5:15 PM. The Captain Neil Burgess makes the trip in about an hour in calm waters.
The Burgess can transport 19 passenger cars, fewer if the vessel is also carrying trucks. Vehicle reservations on the ferry are accepted no sooner than 30 days before the planned trip and are limited. In addition, Equinox Island Transport can transport individuals or groups such as work crews, wedding parties, or tours.
Air service to North Haven is available only through Penobscot Island Air."


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Results tagged ' Dustin Harrington '
9/1: Around the Cubs Minor League System
Our daily minor league recap.
Boise closed out the regular season by winning a wild one Saturday night 12-11. Boise took an early lead, but gave up six in the fourth and five in the fifth and were quickly down by six runs. They came storming back scoring four in the sixth, one in the seventh, and two in the ninth to get the victory. Marco Hernadez was 4-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBIs, including the game tying RBI and the winning run scored. Dan Vogelbach had three hits and three RBIs. Gioskar Amaya was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Albert Almora and Rock Shoulders each had two hits, with Almora knocking one in and Wilson Contreras had two RBIs including the game winner. Stephen Bruno kept the hitting streak alive as he went 1-for-1, with an RBI, but was ejected shortly after that. Ian Dickson got the start, giving up six runs, four earned in just 3.1 innings. Hunter Ackerman followed and gave up five runs, two earned over the next 1.2 innings. Brian Smith was tremendous pitching three perfect innings with four strikeouts. Rafael Diplan got his third win of the season pitching a scoreless ninth. Boise starts their playoffs on Monday.
Peoria gave up three in the sixth and took the loss 6-5. Jeff Antigua got the start, but struggled a bit giving up six runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings. Justin Berg came on and pitched the final 2.1 innings not allowing a run. Bijan Rademacher had a nice night at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Oliver Zapata also had a double and rove in two. Chadd Krist was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Jorge Soler, Zeke DeVoss and Jacob Rogers each had a hit a piece, with Rogers scoring two runs. Peoria has two more games against Kane County as the season will come to a close on Monday.
Daytona beat Brevard County on Saturday 4-2. Matt Loosen got the start and pitched quite well in his five innings. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out six, in earning his 11th win of the season. Jeff Lorick gave up a run, but pitched the next two innings before getting the ball to AJ Morris threw the final two innings and earned his seventh save of the season. John Andreoli, who has had a really nice season waited until tonight to hit his first home run of the season. He ended the night 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases bringing his total to 55. Nelson Perez was 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI and Rafael Lopez had a hit and knocked one in as well. Javier Baez and Christian Villanueva each had a hit, with Villanueva stealing two bases and scoring a run as well. Daytona's season will come to a close on Sunday.
Tennessee scored two in the fifth, but gave up one in the ninth to lose 3-2. Eric Jokisch started, but did not factor in the decision going five innings and allowing one run on six hits, while striking out five. After Zach Rosscup gave up a run in his inning of work, both Jaye Chapman and Rafael Dolis pitched a scoreless inning each. Kevin Rhoderick took the loss giving up a run in the ninth inning. Logan Watkins was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, he also walked twice. Matt Szczur had two hits, including a double and he scored a run. The pitcher Eric Jokisch and pinch hitter Dustin Harrington were the only other Smokies to record a hit in the loss. Tennessee has two games left and will end their season on Monday.
Thanks for Reading,
8/22: Around the Cubs Minor League System
The Cubs minor leagues were in full effect on Wednesday with the AZL Cubs and Daytona each playing 7-inning double headers.
The AZL Cubs scored three in the first inning of the first game and that was all Ryan McNeil and company would need beating the Diamondbacks 3-0. McNeil was outstanding pitching four scoreless innings giving up five hits and striking out two. Rafael Dolis continued his rebab pitching the next 1.1 innings and getting the win. Jasvir Rakkar earned his first save of the year, striking out four of the five outs he recorded. Anthony Giansanti also continued his rehab assignment going 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Justin Marra also had a hit and an RBI in the victory. Shawon Dunston continued his impressive stretch at the plate going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ben Carhart and Yasiel Balauert also had a hit in the game.
Game two was scoreless until Anthony Giansanti stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Giansanti delivered hitting a walk off homer as the Cubs swept the double-header against the Diamondbacks. The Cubs used three pitchers in this one as Corbin Hoffner got the start striking out two and allowing three hits in three innings. Some more good news was the return of Ben Wells who began his rebab assignment in style striking out the side in his one inning. Alvido Jimenez ended the scoreless day pitcing the final three innings and getting his second win of the season. Carlos Penalver, David Bote, and Yasiel Balaguert all had a hit in game two of the double-header. The Cubs remain three games behind the A's for first place, but are leading the wild card by three games over the Giants.
Boise just keeps rolling as they beat up Vancouver 11-6. The offense was the story in this one as they pounded out 17 hits to go along with those 11 runs. Stephen Bruno is just raking right now as he went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBIs. He is now hitting .344 on the season and .439 in his last 10. Izaac Garsez and Wilson Contreras each had really nice games both having three hits and driving in two runs a piece. Garsez also scored three runs and stole his first base of the season. Carlos Escobar and Darien Martin both had two hits with Escobar knocking in two. Marco Hernandez also had two RBIs and Gioskar Amaya had one of his own. Justin Amlung got the start, but only lasted two innings as he gave up three runs on six hits. Michael Heesch then pitched two scoreless innings and got his second win of the season. James Pugliese struck out six over the next three innings, but did give up three runs before getting the ball to Nathan Dorris. Dorris closed this one out striking out two over the final two innings of the game. Boise remains six games up on the Yakima Bears with their magic number down to four.
Beloit got off to a great start, but Peoria came roaring back scoring four in the sixth and one in the eighth to tie it up before scoring three in the 13th and beating Beloit 9-6. Timothy Saunders continues to impress at the plate going 4-for-6 with a stolen base, three runs scored and two RBIs. He is now hitting .391 with Peoria in 11 games. Jorge Soler was back at it going 2-for-6 with a stolen base, three runs scored and an RBI. Jacob Rogers and Bijan Rademacher each had a hit and an RBI and Pin-Chieh Chen had two hits. Starling Peralta started, but struggled with his command walking five in five innings. He also gave up five hits and allowed four runs, three earned, and struck out four. After Bryce Shafer gave up an unearned run the rest of the Chiefs staff threw up zeros. First Pete Levitt struck out four in 2.2 innings, then Sheldon McDonald struck out four in his two innings. Luis Liria came on to shut the door in the 13th and recorded his fifth save of the season.
Game one of Daytona's double-header was decided early as Clearwater scored two in the first and Daytona scored one in the second. Nothing would change as the Cubs lost game one 2-1. PJ Francescon started and took the loss striking out four and giving up two runs in three innings. Eduardo Figueroa, Matt Spencer, and AJ Morris all did their job not allowing another hit and shutting Clearwater down over the next three innings. The offense just couldn't get it going, which is to be expected as they haven't played in several days. Taylor Davis was 2-for-2 and drove in the only Cubs run in this one. Christian Villanueva hit a double and scored the Cubs lone run in the loss. John Andreoli and Elieser Bonne also had hits and Javier Baez was 0-for-3.
Game two didn't go much better for Daytona as Clearwater jumped out early scoring three in the first and never looked back beating the Cubs 4-2. Frank Del Valle was on the hook for all four runs, only three of which were earned in four innings of work. Ryan Searle and Hunter Cervenka each pitched a scoreless inning a piece. Offensively there were a couple bright spots, one of which was Ronald Torreyes who was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Vladimir Frias had two hits of his own and Nelson Perez added a hit and an RBI. The offense is obviously having a hard time getting in any kind of rhythm as games have been few and far between.
Tennessee was embarrassed on Wednesday losing to Chattanooga 11-1. Dae-Eun Rhee started and took the loss giving up three runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings. Things didn't get any better as Casey Weathers gave up three runs after recording just one out. After Zach Rosscup struck out the side in the seventh, Casey Harman gave up five runs, only one of which was earned in the eighth inning. Dustin Harrington struck out two in the ninth, that's right Dustin Harrington, the same guy who plays third base. He was 2-for-2 at the plate as well, hitting a double and scoring a run. Matt Szczur was the only other Smokie to have a hit as he had a triple and drove in the lone Cubs run.
Iowa was winning 3-1 into the eighth, but gave up five over the next two innings and lost 6-3. Horacio Ramirez was great on Wednesday giving up one run on seven hits in seven innings pitched. Blake Parker struggled and took the loss giving up three runs in the eighth and Jairo Asencio allowed two unearned runs in the ninth. Dave Sappelt had a nice day at the plate going 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Brian Esposito had a hit and an RBI and Blake Lalli had a hit and scored a run in the loss. Adrian Cardenas finally got to play baseball again and was 1-for-4 with a run scored. It is tough to see Parker give this one up, as his rehab has been going quite well thus far, but I am sure he will come back strong in his next outing.
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8/16: Around the Cubs Minor League System
A quick recap of the Cubs minor league system on August 16.
The AZL Cubs only gave up three hits on Thursday beating the Reds 9-1. Anthony Prieto started and pitched three quality innings allowing no runs on one hit while striking out three. Carlos Martinez-Pumarino got his fifth win of the year pitching five nice innings in relief. He gave up one run on two hits while striking out seven in five innings. Jin-Young Kim threw a scoreless ninth striking out one. The pitching wasn't the only highlight of the night as the Cubs scored nine on 11 hits. Shawon Dunston was really good going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Yasiel Balaguert had a nice offensive night as he had two hits, a homer and a double. Trevor Gretzky continued his great run going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Garrett Schlecht, Carlos Penalver, and Alberto Mineo all drove in one run. It was good to see the offense get going again on Thursday night.
Boise put up five runs through the first four innings of this one and that was more than enough as they beat Tri-City 7-2. We will start with our Albert Almora watch. Almora went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Carlos Escobar had two hits, including a double and three RBIs. Jeimer Candelario was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Dan Vogelbach and Wilson Contreras each drove in a run with Contreras going 3-for-5 with a double. Giosakar Amaya added a triple and walked three times. The other story of the night was Pierce Johnson who was just great striking out five of the six outs he recorded. Felix Pena got the win as he went the next five innings allowing two run on five hits. Nathan Dorris picked up his third save of the year striking out three batters in two innings. Boise had a very nice night all around.
Peoria only gave up three hits, but couldn't plate a run as they lost to Burlington 4-0. Willengton Cruz got the start for Chiefs and took the loss giving up two runs in two innings of work. Luis Liria and Sheldon McDonald each gave up an unearned run as they combined to pitch the next five innings. Larry Suarez struck out four and pitched the final to innings for Peoria. Dustin Geiger and Timothy Saunders each had a really nice game at the plate recording two hits a piece. Oliver Zapata, Zeke DeVoss, and Pin-Chieh Chen all had a hit to round out the offense for the Chiefs. Once again the defense was an issue as Peoria committed three errors, and allowed two unearned runs to score.
It started out as a good night, but turned into a tough one as they gave up four runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to lose 7-6. Javier Baez had his best night since moving to Daytona going 3-for-4 with a home run and a double. He ended the night with three RBIs and two runs scored as well. Rebel Ridling was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Taylor Davis also had a double and drove in two for the Cubs. Christian Villanueva had been quiet for a while, but he added a hit and an RBI of his own. Robert Whitenack pitched the first four innings allowing one run on four hits. Matt Spencer threw two really nice innings in relief and was in line to get the win, but the Cubs bullpen couldn't hold the lead. First Scott Weismann recorded just two outs and gave up four runs and then after the Cubs took the lead again Jeff Lorick gave up two more runs and took the loss. On a positive it was nice to see Baez have a nice night, hope that is the beginning of a tear.
Tennessee only go four hits in this one, but made them count beating Birmingham 4-3. What else is there to say about Justin Bour. He hit his 16th home run of the season, a three run shot in the third bringing his RBI total to 105. Jae-Hoon Ha was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Elliot Soto drove in a run. Michael Burgess and Dustin Harrington each had a hit as well, with Burgess having a double. Eric Jokisch started, but only lasted 4.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits. Tony Zych came in in relief and got the win pitching a scoreless two innings. After Kevin Rhoderick allowed an unearned run Frank Batista closed the door pitching the final 1.2 innings in recording his 22nd save.
Iowa lost to Tucson 7-6. Seth McClung's first start with Iowa didn't go as planned allowing seven runs, four earned on seven hits in 3.1 innings. Ryan Searle threw 2.2 scoreless innings and Jay Jackson pitched two scoreless. After getting down by six early Iowa's offense got to work, but it just wasn't enough. Alfredo Amezaga was 4-for-5 witha double, a run scored, and an RBI. Tony Campana had two hits and stole a base. Blake Lalli also had two hits driving in one run and Greg Rohan was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Diory Hernandez and Matt Tolbert each had two hits and Jeff Frazier drove in a run. After two wins in a row it's back to the "L" column for Iowa.
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8/7: Around the Cubs Minor League System
Here's what happened in the Cubs minor league system on Tuesday night.
The AZL Cubs got back on track beating the Angels 6-1. The Cubs used four pitchers, all doing a nice job. Ryan McNeil struggled with his control, but struck out four and allowed no runs in 2.1 innings. Anthony Prieto thew two scoreless innings and Loiger Padron got his fourth win of the season striking out three in three scoreless innings. He is now 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Shawon Dunston had only one hit, but drove in an impressive three runs. Jorge Soler went for with an RBI and Albert Almora added a hit of his own. Both top prospects stole two bases and scored a run. Dan Lockhart had a hit and Carlos Penalver knocked in one in the victory. After a couple tough days for the Cubs it was back to business as usual on Tuesday night.
Tuesday didn't go to plan for Boise as they lost to Everett 6-3. Dan Vogelbach hit his third home run since going to Boise and ended the night 1-for-3. Gioskar Amaya had two more hits, including a triple and an RBI. Izaac Garsez went 2-for-2 with a run scored and Wilson Contreras had a hit and an RBI. Jeimer Candelario and Marco Hernandez each had a hit on Tuesday night as well. James Pugliese pitched four innings allowing one run on six hits, while striking out six in a ND. Michael Heesch allowed three runs in two innings and took the loss. Boise has had a nice run as of late, so they will get back at it tomorrow.
Starling Peralta was the story in this one as the Peoria won 5-3. Peralta thew seven innings allowing one run on two hits and struck out 14. Yes you read that right, he struck out 14. Bryce Shafer struggled, but Larry Suarez came in to pitch a scoreless 1.1 innings and record his first save of the season. Offensively had one of his best, if not his best game of his young career. He went 4-for-4 with two doubles, one triple, four runs scored, and a stolen base. Chadd Krist and Wes Darvill each had two hits, and Krist drove in two runs. Pin-Chieh Chen and Yaniel Cabezas each added a hit and an RBI. Peralta really just put the Chiefs on his back in this one and had night to remember.
Daytona picked up the win beating Lakeland 6-1. Austin Kirk was good giving up one run on four hits in 5.2 innings. He got the win and improved his record to 7-3. Jeffrey Lorick and AJ Morris combined to pitch the last 3.3 innings allowing no runs. It took a couple of games, but Javier Baez finally had his coming out party in Daytona. He went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Christian Villanueva was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Rubi Silva added an RBI and John Andreoli went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three stolen bases, he now has 47 on the year. Everyone else in the lineup contributed with a hit on Tuesday as it was one of those rare games where everyone ends with a hit.
A six run first was way too much to come back from for Tennessee as they lost to Jackson 10-4. In his second start with the Smokies Jacob Brigham really struggled giving up six runs on six hits in just 0.2 innings. The Smokies would use five more pitchers on the evening. Kevin Rhoderick pitched better than he has been pitching 1.1 scoreless ball. Brian Schlitter and Dustin Harrington combined to pitch the last 2.1 innings not allowing a run. Need I say it, Justin Bour was 2-for-3 with yet another RBI and Nelson Perez had two hits of his own. Matt Szczur, Logan Watkins, and Matt Cerda all had triples on Tuesday. Junior Lake, Nate Samson, and Chad Noble all contributed with an RBI a piece. It was definitely a tough start for Brigham, but the Smokies will look to get back on track tomorrow.
Iowa put up seven on Tuesday and that was enough as the beat Reno 7-4. Ty'Relle Harris was quite impressive pitching six innings allowing only two runs and striking out five. Jaye Chapman pitched a scoreless 0.2 innings, striking out both outs he recorded. Jairo Asencio earned his first save by striking out one in one inning. Dave Sappelt had a nice night going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. James Adduci hit a double and knocked in three and Alfredo Amezaga added two hits and scored two runs. Matt Tolbert added a double and drove in one run . It is nice to see Iowa get a win, hope they can keep it going.
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7/30: Around the Cubs Minor League System
July 30th Cubs minor league report.
The AZL Cubs and the Boise Hawks were off on Monday.
Beloit scored three in the eighth and held on to beat Peoria 5-3. Pin-Chieh Chen had a great game going 4-for-5 with an RBI. Zeke DeVoss led the game off in style with a home run, he added another hit and ended the game with two runs scored, two RBIs, and his 29th stolen base. Javier Baez and Dustin Geiger each added a double and Bijan Rademacher had a triple on the night. Chadd Krist also had a hit and he is now hitting .340. Joseph Zeller got the start, but did not factor in the decision giving up two runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings. Sheldon McDonald got the loss and Austin Reed pitched two scoreless innings in relief. The Chiefs record now stands at 50-55.
Daytona got a little scare in the ninth, but still won pretty easily 8-4. The Cubs pounded out 14 hits including three from Rubi Silva. Ronald Torreyes continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored, and two RBIs. John Andreoli also had two hits and reached base four times from the leadoff spot. he also scored a run and stole his 41st base of the season. Rafael Lopez, Elieser Bonne, and Matt Cerda all had two hits and an RBI. PJ Francescon got his second win of the season pitching six shutout innings. He only gave up three hits and struck out six. Frank Del Valle was very good in relief striking out four in just two innings.
Tennessee got off to a good start in game one scoring five runs and holding on to win 6-3. Matt Szczur had his best game since moving to Double-A going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Junior Lake stayed hot at the plate going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Logan Watkins and Michael Burgess each had two hits and Justin Bour drove one in. Greg Rohan connected on his fifth home run, a three run shot in the first inning. Eric Jokisch pitched all seven innings gving up three runs on five hits and striking out two.
Tennessee won the second game of the double header beating Pensacola 3-2. Nate Samson was the only Smokies player to have a multi-hit game going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Juan Apodaca and Michael Burgess each had a hit as did Dustin Harrington and Nelson Perez. Matt Szczur drove in a run in game two. Casey Harman got the start and pitched well allowing no runs on four hits in four innings pitched. Casey Weathers got the win pitching a scoreless fifth innings striking out two. Frank Batista recored his 19th save of the season as he closed out game two on Monday.
The Iowa Cubs lost another one on Monday losing to New Orleans 5-3. James Adduci had another great game, going 2-for-5 with a home run, double, run scored, and three RBIs. Dave Sappelt also had two hits and scored a run. Chris Rusin took the loss pitching 5.2 innings surrendering five runs, only one earned and struck out six. Alberto Cabrera had a nice night in relief striking out four in 2.1 innings. Iowa just can't seem to get it together.
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7/28: Around the Cubs Minor League System
The nightly minor league recaps.
The AZL Cubs were postponed.
Boise won in a pitchers dual 1-0. Taylor Scott got the start and got the win pitching five innings allowing four hits, three walks, and striking out four. Hayden Simpson threw an impressive three innings and Eduardo Orozco closed out the game earning his first save of the season. Jeimer Candelario was 1-for-3 driving in the only Hawks run of the game. Carlos Escobar had two hits, including a double and a run scored. Boise has won two games in a row and look to keep that going.
Beloit took care of Peoria quite easily win 10-4. Starling Peralta started and took the loss giving up five runs, four earned in five innings. Jeffry Antigua pitched very good in relief striking out two in two scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.73. Offensively there wasn't much exciting to report. Sergio Burruel was the only Chief player with a multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Paul Hoilman, Bijan Rademacher, and Yaniel Cabezas all had one hit. Hoilman had an RBI as did Pin-Chieh Chen. Peoria looks to get back on track.
A for run sixth wasn't enough losing to Bradenton 9-7. Kyler Burke struggled giving up seven runs, five earned on eight hits in five innings. Burke struck out six in the loss. Hunter Cervenka threw two scoreless innings in relief striking out three. Ronald Torreyes had a nice night at the plate going 3-for-5 with home run, a double, and three RBIs. Timothy Saunders added two hits and drove one in. The Cubs got single RBIs from Taylor Davis, Matt Cerda, and Rubi Silva as well. John Andreoli led off and had a hit and a walk and scored two runs. Rebel Ridling and Rafael Lopez each contributed a hit to the effort and Lopez scored two runs.
Tennessee couldn't hold Jacksonville down losing 8-5. Nicholas Struck struggled in a losing effort giving up four runs in four innings pitched. In a tough sign for Cub fans, Trey McNutt struggled in relief again and his ERA is now at 4.91. Frank Batista continued his strong season pitching a scoreless eighth and striking out two lowering his ERA to 1.22. Justin Bour had a night to remember at the plate going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Matt Szczur led off in his second game with the Smokis, he went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Logan Watkins was 1-for-4 with a run scored as was Chad Noble. Michael Burgess had a double and Dustin Harrington added a hit and a run scored as well.
Iowa gave up one in the fifth to give them the lead. The 2-1 lead held up and Iowa lost another one run game. Brooks Raley was the hard luck loser pitching six innings allowing tow runs on six hits and striking out eight. Marcus Hatley pitched well in relief striking out four in two innings. The offense didn't do much, Brett Jackson connected on his 15th home run of the season, ending the game 1-for-3 with a walk. Adrian Cardenas and Josh Vitters each added ahit as did Blake Lalli. After a nice win yesterday, the Cubs weren't able to keep it going losing a close, low scoring game.
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7/22: Around the Minor League System
A Sunday down in the minors.
We didn't have to wait long as Jorge Soler launched a two-run homer in the fourth, he would add another hit and scored two runs. Despite this excitement the AZL Cubs lost 6-4. Shawon Dunston Jr. had another good game going 3-for-4 and scoring a run. Ben Carhart added two hits, including a double and Dan Vogelbach drove in his 31st run of the season. Lendy Castillo continued his rehab assignment pitching four scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and struck out five. David Henrie took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned in two innings of work. It was more than exciting to see Soler hit his first home run. We have been anticipated it for quite a while and to do so in only his second game was great to see.
There is not much good that came out of Sunday's game against Eugene, as Boise lost 8-1. James Pugliese gave up seven runs on eight hits in four innings and took the loss. The bullpen did a pretty nice job the next four innings. Michael Heesch pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three as well. Eduardo Orozco gave up one run, but struck out three in his two innings of work. Offensively not much happened at all. All but one player recoreded a hit for Boise, with the only extra base hit coming off the bat of Xavier Batista, who hit a double. Wilson Contreras scored the only Hawks run of the game. It was a not very fun game for Boise dropping another in a bad loss.
Peoria couldn't pull off the win, losing to South Bend 3-2. All good things must come to an end and that was the case with Javier Baez's hitting streak as he went 0-for-4 on Sunday. Dustin Geiger connected on his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth. Sergio Burruel had two hits and Chadd Krist just keeps on hitting as he had another hit on Sunday. Pin-Chieh Chen and Oliver Zapata each recorded a hit and Chen scored a run as he was on base when Geiger hit his homer. Starling Peralta pitched well, but took the loss. He threw six innings giving up three runs, two earned on six hits. Sheldon McDonald relieved him and pitched two perfect innings, striking out three. Looking forward to Baez starting another streak and the Chiefs winning a few more games.
Daytona was postponed on Sunday.
Tennessee finished Saturday nights game and lost a tough one in 11 innings. Twice in extra's the Smokies took the lead, but couldn't hold it in either, ultimately losing 12-11. There was a lot of offense, here are some of the highlights. Justin Bour was 2-for-6 with a homer, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Junior Lake, Jae-Hoon Ha, and Greg Rohan all contributed with two hits with Rohan adding an RBI. Logan Watkins went 3-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored. Michael Burgess and Chad Noble each had RBIs and Nelson Perez connected on his third home run since being at Tennessee. The pitching was not very good at all. Dallas Beeler got the start, but obviously didn't factor in the decision. Casey Harman took the loss giving up the two runs in the 11th. Frank Batista was the lone bright spot out of the bullpen, pitching two scoreless innings, bringing his ERA down to 1.06. It was a very tough loss, because of all the leads the Smokies had.
Game two was a little different, as a six run sixth led Tennessee to a 8-4 win. Nicholas Struck got his 11th win of the season pitching five innings, giving up only one run on four hits. Zach Rosscup did a great job in relief, striking out five in three scoreless innings of work. Junior Lake, Logan Watkins, Jae-Hoon Ha, and Dustin Harrington all had two hits, scored a run, and all but Ha drove one in. Nelson Perez and Michael Burgess drove in two runs and Chad Noble added an RBI as well. It was a nice bounce back in game two ending the week with a win.
A late rally fell short, as Iowa lost to Aburquerque 9-5. Chris Volstad was bad yet again giving up six runs, five earned on nine hits in five innings. He took the loss, he is now 2-5 with 5.83 ERA. Ty'Relle Harris did a fine job in relief striking out three in two scoreless innings. Offensively there were only a couple of highlights. Josh Vitters and Welington Castillo each hit a homer. For Vitters it was a three-run shot and Castillo was a solo. Brett Jackson, Adrian Cardenas, and Dave Sappelt all had a hit a piece as well.
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7/12: Around the Cubs Minor League System
Your daily trip through the minor leagues.
A six run fourth was too much for the AZL Cubs to overcome on Thursday losing 7-2. Even though the Cubs only had two runs on five hits there were a few offensive bright spots. Dan Vogelbach did it again belting a two-run home run, his fifth of the young season. Ben Carhart also had a nice day going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Ethan Elias started and pitched three innings giving up one unearned run. Ryan Hartman struggled and took the loss in relief. Matt Iannazzo struck out six in 3.1 innings pitched. The Cubs have been really good so hope to see them bounce back after this one.
Boise lost a wild one to Vancouver 12-11. It was a tough loss as it seemed Boise was in complete control of this one, but an eight run seventh for Vancouver was all they would need to hold on. Offensively Boise had 16 hits to go along with those 11 runs so a lot of good came out of that. Three Hawks hit home runs, including Gioskar Amaya, Marco Hernandez, and Rock Shoulders. Amaya and Hernandez each drove in two and Shoulders drove in three on the night. Bijan Rademacher also drove in two runs as he went 3-for-4 with a double at the plate. Stephen Brruno and Jeimer Candelario each had two hits and Trey Martin had three. The good on the mound turned to ugly pretty quickly on Thursday. James Pugliese and Michael Heesch combined to get the Hawks into the sixth with a 10-4 lead. The lead was soon erased as Rafael Diplan struggled giving up five in .1 innings. He was followed by Roderik Pichardo who gave up three more in the seventh and he took the loss. Another tough loss for Boise on Thursday.
Dayton pounded out 16 hits and scored eight runs to beat Peoria 8-5. There was some good that happened offensively in this one though. Taiwan Easterling was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Paul Hoilman and Chadd Krist who was recently promoted from Boise each had two hits. Krist also drove in a run as did Wes Darvill and Pin-Chieh Chen. Jose Rosario was pretty good on the mound giving up one run on seven hits in six innings of work. Justin Berg and the defense let Rosario down giving up five runs, one earned on three hits in .2 innings. Hunter Cervenka struggled as well giving up two runs on six hits in 2.1 innings. After a five run seventh and a two run ninth Peoria just didn't have enough left to come back.
Palm Beach scored four times in the lst four innings to beat Daytona 5-4. Matt Loosen got the start pitching 6.2 innings. He gave up four runs, three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six. Eduardo Figueroa took the loss in relief. He gave up the go ahead run in .2 innings. At the plate Rubi Silva had a nice night going 2-for-4 with a triple and a runs scored. John Andreoli, Rebel Ridling, Rafael Lopez, and Dustin Harrington each had a hit and Ridling drove one in. Matt Szczur and Taylor Davis each had an RBI for the Cubs on Thursday as well. Another game on Thursday where it looked like the Cubs affiliate was in command, but ended up losing.
Tennessee was postponed on Wednesday so they played two on Thursday. All the scoring for game one came in the first inning when Tennessee scored one, but Birmingham scored four. The score would stand and Tennessee lost 4-1. Staring pitcher Zach Rosscup didn't last long allowing four runs on four hits and walking two and only recording one out. In relif Ty'Relle Harris and Kevin Rhoderick held the Baron scoreless the rest of the way to give the Smokies a chance. Philip Humber started his rehab assignmnet and held the Smokies to only two hits and one run. Junior Lake led the game off with a double and scored the Smokies lone run when he was driven in by Jae-Hoon Ha. Justin Bour had the other Smokies hit in game one.
Three Tennessee runs in the second inning was plenty for Nicholas Struck as Smokies won game two 3-0. Struck wsa outstanding allowing no runs on only three hits while walking none and striking out seven in six innings. Frank Batista came on to pitch a scoreless seventh to recrord his 17th save. The Smokies RBIs came from the bottom of the order with Nelson Perez driving in two with a triple and Chad Noble then driving him in. Jae-Hoon Ha was the only Smokie player with a multi hit game as he went 2-for-4. After dropping the first one it was nice to see them come back and get game two.
Iowa wins a crazy one in Omaha on Thursday. Trailing 7-2 after three innings Iowa started there come back with a four run fourth. After adding on in the sixth, they scored five more and eventually won 12-11. They had 15 hits to go along with those 12 runs so there was a lot of good offensively. Adrian Cardenas and Diory Hernandez each had three hits. Hernandez hit a home run, scored two runs, and drove in two. Dave Sappelt was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Welington Castillo also had two hits, including a hom run. He also scored two runs and drove in three. Brett Jackson was back in the lineup delivering a hit and walking three times. He drove in on run, scored two, and stole his 21st base of the season. Josh Vitters had two more hits, including his 26th double, he also scored a run and drove one in. Chris Volstad got the start and was not very good allowing seven runs, five earned in just two innings. The Cubs would use five arms out of the pen to finish this one Alberto Cabrera earning his second win of the season. Jay Jackson pitched a scoreless eighth and Michael Bowden recorded his second save of the season striking out two in a scoreless ninth. It's nice to come out on top of a crazy one like that.
What a crazy night throughout the Cubs system.
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7/9: Around the Cubs Minor League System
A daily trip to the minors.
Boise gave up six in the sixth which was way too much to come back from. Yakima beat the Hawks 10-4. Offensively Trey Martin was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Rock Shoulders connected on his second homer of the season. Jeimer Candelario only had one hit, but he drove in two on the night. Gioskar had a hit and drove in a run and Wilson Contreras had two hits. Felix Pena pitched four quality innings only giving up one run on three hits. Shawon Dunston Jr. had a triple and scored a run. This year's draft pick Bijan Rademacher had a hit and his average now stands at .406. Willington Cruz struggled in an inning of work and took the loss, his third of the young season.
Peoria gave up three in the ninth to lose a heartbreaker to Cedar Rapids 4-3. Although it was a tough loss there was some good that came out of the game. Javier Baez had two hits today and connected on his sixth homer of the season. Wes Darvill also was 2-for-4 and hit a home run and scored two runs. The Chiefs got a hit a piece from Zeke DeVoss, Taiwan Easterling, Yasiel Balaguert, and Pin-Chieh Chen. Balaguert hit a double and drove in a run. Michael Jensen pitched well giving up one run on four hits in five innings. Sheldon McDonald and Austin Reed each pitched well and Boise went into the ninth with a 3-1 lead. Luis Liria really struggled with his command and gave up three runs in the ninth as Peoria lost a tough one.
Daytona jumped out scoring three in the first, but couldn't hold it as they lost to Lakeland 5-4. Offensively Arismendy Alcantara was 4-for-5 with a run scored. John Andreoli and Rebel Ridling each had two hits with Ridling scoring two runs. Matt Szczur, Rubi Silva, and Dustin Harrington each had a hit on the night. Szczur scored one and drove one in and Silva drove in two on the night. Robert Whitenack struggled giving up five runs on eight hits while walking three in 2.1 innings. The bullpen did a great job not surrending a run and only giving up three hits in the next 5.2 innings.
A big four run third led to a Tennessee vicory on Monday. Chattanooga had a late surge, but the Smokies held on to win 4-3. Dallas Beeler started and got the win. He gave up no runs on four hits while striking out seven in seven innings. After some struggles Frank Batista had to come in and get the last two outs to record his 16th save. Offensively Logan Watkins led the way going 2-for-4 with a double, triple, a run scored, and two RBIs. Junior Lake, Justin Bour, and Juan Apodaca each had a hit. Lake and Bour each hit a double and each drove in a run on Monday. It was a nice win for Tennessee.
Thanks for reading,
– Mark
6/25: Around the Cubs Minor League System
A closer look at very busy Monday for the Cubs minor leagues.
Down 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, The AZL Cubs scored four and added another in the eighth to win 6-4. After going 6-for-6 on Saturday Timothy Saunders stayed hot as he had two more hits bringing his average to .526. Trey Martin had two doubles with a run scored and an RBI. Jacob Rogers also went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI's. Daniel Vogelbach hit his fourth double on the young season and he also scored a run. Eduardo Orozco got the win in relief striking out two batters and Jin-Young Kim pitched two perfect innings to record his first save of the season.
Boise just couldn't get the bats going as they lost 4-1 to Spokane on Monday. On the bright side Gioskar Amaya went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored raising his average to .386. Marco Hernandez had a double and had the only RBI of the night. Jeimer Candelario, Wilson Contreras, and Rock Shoulders all had one hit on the night. Jose Arias pitched well again as he gave up one run on three hits in five innings of work. Amaury Paulino took the loss giving up three runs on two hits in two innings.
Peoria scored a run in the eighth to win a nail biter 2-1. Anthony Giansanti was the hero delivering the game winning RBI. He entered the game after Javier Baez left with an injury. It sounds like everything will be fine with Baez and he is day-to-day. Wes Darvill had two hits and Yasiel Balaguert had a nice night at the plate going 2-for-3. Dustin Geiger had the other Chiefs RBI in the third inning. Zachary Rosscup got the win in relief pitching 2.1 innings while only giving up a hit and striking out two. Luis Liria recorded his third save as he pitched the last two innings giving up one hit and striking one batter out. Zach Cates got the start and allowed one run on five hits in 4.2 innings.
Daytona won both games of the double header on Monday. The Cubs won the first game 7-3 highlighted by a five run second. Arismendy Alcantara went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI's in the winning effort. He also stole his 22nd bag of the year. Micah Gibbs and John Andreoli each had two hits and a run scored. Matt Szczur had a hit and stole his 21st base of the season. Taylor Davis had a double and drove in two runs, Rebel Ridling and Rubi Silva each had RBIs as well. Matt Loosen got his sixth win of the year, giving up three runs on two hits in six innings while striking out seven.
Game two was not so easy, as Daytona tied the game with three runs in the sixth and won it in the 12th. Dustin Harrington was the hero as he drove in Ronald Torreyes, who represented the game winning run. Matt Szczur went 2-for-4 with a double, run, RBI, two walks, and his 22 stolen base. Chad Noble had two doubles and a run scored and Harrington had two hits as well. Alantara and Silva had the other two RBI's for the Cubs. Kyler Burke, who had been pitching for Peoria got the start for Daytona. In his first outing he pitched five innings, giving up three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. The Cubs bullpen was outstanding as they pitched seven scoreless innings. They gave up only one hit and struck out nine. Scott Weismann got the win as he struck out four in three innings of work. Eduardo Figuerora closed the game out recording his first save of the season.
Tennessee had two games on Monday as well, but they did not go as well as Daytona. The Smokies lost the first game 11-3. This game was lost on the mound as Eric Jokisch really, really struggled as he gave up 10 runs nine earned on nine hits in 5.2 innings. Unbelievably his ERA jumped all the way to 3.38. That is how good he has been so far. Jae-Hoon Ha and Junior Lake each had two hits. Lake had a double and drove in two. Michael Burgess had a double and drove in the other Smokies run in game one.
Game one was bad, but game two was not much better as Jacksonville beat Tennessee 10-3. Dallas Beeler got the start giving up one run in 3.1 innings, but did not factor in the decision. Keven Rhoderick got the loss as he gave up five runs in .2 innings of work. Marcus Hatley and Casey Harman didn't have much better luck as each gave up two runs. Justin Bour, Nelson Perez, and Nate Samson drove in the three Smokies runs in game two. Junior Lake also had another hit and his average now sits at .315.
On a day that will be remembered as Anthony Rizzo's last game at Iowa, the Cubs played quite a good game winning 2-1. Brooks Raley got the start and pitched beautifully throwing seven great innings. He gave up one run on only five hits as he struck out five and got the win. Jay Jackson pitched another good inning in relief striking out three. Rafael Dolis took another step in the right direction recording his third save since going to Iowa. Offensively Josh Vitters has been on an absolute tear as he was all the offense the Cubs would need. He had an RBI hit in the first inning and hit his 12th home run of the year in the third. It proved to be the game winner and Vitters is now hitting .292.
Thanks for reading,
Graphics (George)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Listing Ends: 11:54pm UTC Aug. 09, 2013


text:
Re-homing a pet doesn't make someone a bad pet owner
Sometimes good, loving pet owners must face the difficult choice to re-home a dog or a cat.
I interviewed three women who were willing to share their re-homing stories. I hope this post will show that finding a new home for a pet is rarely easy, and it's often done out of love.
It's so easy to criticize pet owners for their choices, but we rarely know or fully understand the complexity of the situation.
The following are three examples.
Hershey the chocolate Labrador retriever
Several months after their chocolate Lab passed away, Berni Harkins and her family adopted a chocolate Lab puppy from a rescue group.
They named him Hershey, and Harkins said they took him everywhere such as on camping trips, to friends' homes and on vacations.
"Everyone would compliment how cute and well behaved he was," she said.
"Everyone would compliment how cute and well behaved he was."
However, it was a different story when those same friends came to visit.
"As soon as someone would ring our doorbell or enter the house, Hershey would go crazy," Harkins said. He would bark viciously and had to be crated.
Harkins said she convinced herself Hershey was just doing his job to protect the home and the children. However, one day while playing in the yard, Hershey bit a neighbor boy in the arm, leaving two puncture marks that required stitches.
Months later, a different neighbor boy tried to walk in the front door and Hershey jumped on him and bit him, Harkins said.
While the second bite didn't require stitches, Harkins said the law required her family to quarantine Hershey for 10 days. After that, if Hershey ever bit someone again, the family would be required to have him killed. No exceptions.
"After talking to all of our neighbors, everyone was afraid for their kids to play with our boys, and no one wanted Hershey to stay here, including my husband," she said.
This was especially difficult for Harkins because Hershey had been there for her through the loss of her father and her brother.
"Hershey was my constant rock during that time," she said. "He never asked for anything. He just sat with me as I cried and knew I needed him by my side, and that is what he did 24 hours a day."
Still, after the second biting incident, she decided to email the rescue group she adopted Hershey from, and a woman named Debbie Frye volunteered to take Hershey. Frye explained she had three other dogs, lived on 3 acres, had no young children and even owned one of Hershey's sisters.
"It seemed like the perfect and only solution," Harkins said.
"It seemed like the perfect and only solution."
So, she and her family later made the five-hour drive to Virginia to bring Hershey to his new home
Today, Frye keeps in touch with Harkins by sending cards and updates. She even invited Harkins and her family to attend a dock diving competition Hershey was in.
According to Frye, Hershey and his sister, Puma, are usually "joined at the hip."
"I don't have one 'brownie' following me all over the house," she said. "I have two."
And while she never intended to have four dogs total, Frye said taking in Puma's brother during his time of need was "just meant to be."
Missy the cat
Cynthia MacGregor decided to re-home her cat Missy several years ago.
"Missy forgot her litterbox training and began peeing all over our Manhatan apartment," she said.
"It was a sad day for us when we gave her to her new owner …"
"It was a sad day for us when we gave her to her new owner, but the woman in question had a house in Brooklyn with a backyard," MacGregor said.
In her new home, Missy would be able to be outside where she could go to the bathroom without getting scolded.
"At least she wasn't going to be put down, nor would she continue to create problems in our apartment," MacGregor said. "It was sad but necessary, and assuredly the least bad of all possible outcomes."
Since Missy was going to a good home, MacGregor said no one criticized her decision to re-home her cat.
"Re-homing an animal can be just as emotionally difficult as putting a sick animal down," she said. "In some ways it's even more difficult insofar as that you know that the animal is, tantalizingly, still alive and out there somewhere, but no longer with you."
To other pet owners who may be going through a similar situation, MacGregor said they should allow themselves to go through a period of mourning.
"It's normal. It's natural. It's all right," she said. "Allow yourself to experience the grieving process."
Pickles the pitbull
Amy Andring and her husband adopted a pitbull from a rescue group a few years ago.
Pickles was only six months old and the friendliest dog, Andring said. The puppy had a skin disease called mange at the time, so they had several vet appointments to clear that up. They also hired a professional trainer who helped Pickles learn simple commands and leash manners.
"Even though we only had her for a little over a month, I loved Pickles so much and would've done anything for her," Andring said.
"Even though we only had her for a little over a month, I loved Pickles so much …"
But she and her husband began noticing some odd behaviors with their dog.
"Her paws started getting really raw and we didn't know why," she said. "Then it ended up being her whole front arms becoming raw."
They took her to the vet and learned Pickles had been constantly licking her paws and arms while they were at work.
They tried changing her food in case it was due to allergies. They also got her some new toys in case it was boredom.
"Those changes did absolutely nothing," Andring said. "In fact, things got worse. We'd come home from work and see puddles of drool everywhere, and she was sopping wet. One day, she actually tore a hole through our carpet all the way to the floor boards."
Pickles had an awful case of separation anxiety, Andring said. And since she and her husband both worked 8-hour days, they decided to have the rescue find Pickles a new home with someone home all the time.
"It absolutely broke my heart, but I knew it was the best thing for Pickles."
At first, Andring said she was afraid people would judge her for her decision. Instead, she found people were very understanding when she told them the story.
"If it is best for the dog, then re-homing is a good thing," she said. "It means you are not thinking of your own needs but the needs of that animal."
It only took a few days for the rescue to place Pickles with a retired couple.
"I guess now she gets to enjoy every day anxiety free," Andring said. "So, sometimes re-homing a pet is done completely out of love for the animal. This was so in my case."
Have you ever had to make the difficult choice of re-homing a pet?
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19 Readers CommentedJoin discussion
This is a great post and great topic (and thanks to the brave volunteers who shared their stories). It's a great reminder that we can never assume or judge someone. Often we are so harsh on one another and forget… sharing 🙂
Oh wow! These stories made me a bit teary especially the first one. There is such a stigma about rehoming a pet but in some issues it's not just the case of – I don't want them anymore! These people have truly thought about what's best for the animal and completely disregarded their own feelings.
I couldn't think of giving up my dog but if he was injuring himself or other people… I don't know what I would do. All I know is that I'd do what would make him happy.
My friend recently told me that she was going to re-home her dog. At first I thought 'how could you!?' but as she explained it to me I understood. He keeps escaping from out of her fenced garden and running away. She has tried everything to secure the yard and even tethers him up when they're not home (which he hates).
Each time he escapes it costs her money and the biggest issue is that he could be struck by a car. She is exhausted from worrying about him and as a student she cannot afford to pay the 'dog at large fee' anymore (she's paid it five times already). She'd rather find him a suitable and happy home than risk him being killed on a road or being stuck at a kill shelter because she cannot afford to pay to release him.
Situations change and no good pet owners welcome pets into their family expecting things like this to happen. Nice thoughtful article. Thank you!
I think that many people make the hard choice to rehome their pets because it is the best option for them AND the pet. I don't know why Theo's previous family decided to turn him at the shelter, but I'm really glad that we were able to find such a great companion. I wish more people realized that "owner surrenders" are often euthanized with a very little or no wait period. I think people just assume that because their pet is a "great pet" he or she will get adopted out easily, which isn't always the case.
Sometimes life happens. Sometimes dogs just aren't a good fit for the some people, and vice versa. It says nothing about the dog or the person. It takes a brave person to rehome an animal they love.
Very brave of everyone to share their stories – some decisions are just really hard to make and I'm glad everyone was thinking of the best option for the animals…..
Wags to all,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
I want to thank you Lindsay for your compassion towards both people and animals, it really means a lot.
I commented on your blog before about surrendering one of my dogs last year, it was an awful decision I had to make and even though it turned out to be for the best for all of us it wasn't easy and for the past year I have had to grieve the loss of my sweet boy alone.
Thank you for this article. On July 1 I started the process of re-homing my beloved long haired dachshund by surrendering her to a local Dachshund Rescue, where they will work to re-train and re-socialize her and then place her. Honestly, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I got her from shelter 5 years ago, she was the product of a puppy mill and a poor experience, I brought her back to health and showed her love and security. She was my constant support through the loss of a job, and a parent, but she was fearful and super protective of me as well as my sister and her family (she stayed with them while I gone ) and thus a bite risk-not to mention a major barker, prone to threatening anyone who looked at either of us sideways. fAs a novice middle aged dog owner, I didn't really understand the depth of the behavior issues I was seeing or the importance of getting professional training help EARLY ON. By the time I did seek help dog trainer and classes-she was much worse and I had a new job that required travel several weeks and months a year, often with little notice. That started to seem unfair to my dog, when you added in her biting tendencies, it became hard for my sister and her family to keep her, especially after she bit one of their neighbors. I tried to overlook the issue, until my dog slipped away from me a week ago while I had her in the car doing errands, it was just a second that I had the car door open- she had never done anything like that before, but once loose she made a beeline for the nearest stranger and chomped on her calf. I was horrified and sick-ended up taking the woman to the walk in clinic -fortunately it was not serious, and as of today she is being nice about it and hasn't begun any legal or civil action. Although my dog was sweet and cuddly with me, she was scared and on duty all the time ready to pounce. My dog was relaxed and calm at the Rescue when we dropped her off -even with strangers and other dogs-no barking. I think she finally realized she no longer needed to take care of me and could relax and be a dog. I KNOW I did the right thing for her, she will have the full time company, the discipline, and training she needs and because she is smart she will learn. She will make someone a loving companion. I, however am beyond grief stricken at her loss and have wept for days. I know most of my friends/co workers understand, I can't help feeling judged.
lindsey, I have written before about my two dogs that i put down for agression. and the youghts of what i could have done better aunt me. Where would someone go about finding a rescue farm, where your dog could be safe. and the fact that i couldn't find one, makes me even more guilty and distressed. Please address this issue for me, and please write back to my e-mail if you can. thank-you with all my heart
Michelle Cory
I am in the process of re-homing my little dog of 2 months. She is just great, but at first she was very lethargic and I did not know she was very sick. It took 2 times to the vet and 4 weeks to heal. After she was better she has usual puppy behavior which is wonderful She has so much energy I cannot keep up with her. I do not have a fenced yard and walking isn't enough for her energy level. She is more wound up when we get home. I keep her in a cage at night which she is fine with. She wakes me up at any ware from 3 – 6 in the morning. She goes to the door to go out. However sometimes it is to play and not to go, but you never know which, I cannot get a hold on it. This does not sound like real problem except for the fact that I am 80 and feel I a not being fair to this wonderful little dog, a rat-chi. Chihuaha Rat terrier mix . I have started to make arrangements with a rescue, but am having a hard time letting her go. She follows me everywhere, will she get close with someone else soon. I am so stressed.


text:
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December 26, 2012-- Home Textiles Today,
NEW YORK - Emerald. The green hue is what color authority Pantone has named as its official 2013 Color of the Year.
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