Sox Skim By For 5-4 Win Over A's

Written By: Kendahl Damico for Mouthpiece Sports

The Chicago White Sox managed a victory over the Oakland A's on Wednesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. The win brings their Spring Training record to 12-14-1.

The Chicago White Sox pulled out a 5-4 victory over the Oakland A's on Wednesday afternoon thanks in part to Bartolo Colon's performance on the mound and the starters' skills in the batter's box.

With all eyes on him, Colon pitched 4 1/3 innings managing four strikeouts of his 43 pitches. Randy Williams relieved him in the fourth.

Wilson Betemit continued to shine in Spring Training blasting his sixth home run of camp. Jim Thome also snagged himself a homer and matched his teammate Jermaine Dye with a double in the fourth.

Veterans Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski each had RBIs.

Bako Has Four Hits as Cubs Rout Athletics

Written By Associated Press

Ryan Dempster gave up a run and three hits in 4 1-3 innings while Paul Bako went 4-4 with three RBIs in the Cubs 20-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Derrek Lee hit his first homer of spring training and Ryan Theriot went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and scored two runs for Chicago.
PHOENIX (AP)—Paul Bako had four hits and three RBIs even though he had his first at-bat in the sixth inning, and the Chicago Cubs roughed up Dana Eveland in a 20-5 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday.

Derrek Lee hit his first homer of spring training and Ryan Theriot went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and scored two runs for Chicago. Jake Fox, Reed Johnson and Bobby Scales each had three RBIs.
Eveland, the A’s likely opening-day starter, gave up five runs in four innings. He allowed eight of the Cubs’ 24 hits. “I couldn’t put guys away,” Eveland said. “I’d get ahead and then miss my spot and catch a lot of the plate.”

It was the second straight start in which Eveland was hit hard. The previous outing was in a minor league game. He said he feels a sense of urgency to get better results as the start of the season nears. “I have high expectations of myself this late in the spring,” he said. “I’ve got two more starts down here. I need to get locked and ready to go for Game 1.”

Edgar Gonzalez, who is in the running for a spot in the A’s rotation only got two outs while giving up eight hits and seven runs. He has allowed 13 runs in 3 1-3 innings over his past two outings and has a 12.75 ERA this spring. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster gave up a run and three hits in 4 1-3 innings. He got into a one-out bases-loaded jam in the fourth, but struck out Aaron Cunningham and Jack Hannahan.

“It’s nice to get into situations like that and get out of them, because you will have to do it in the regular season,” Dempster said.

Cubs right-hander Kevin Gregg got two outs to complete his first back-to-back appearances of the spring. He said he feels good about what he’s done in his effort to beat out Carlos Marmol for the closer job. Manager Lou Piniella is expected to announce his closer this week.

“That’s his decision,” Gregg said. “I’m just getting ready for opening day, doing what I do. Whenever he makes the decision, it doesn’t change what I’m doing here.” ^Notes: Cubs LHP Ted Lilly, who was expected back in Arizona on Monday following the World Baseball Classic, is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday. … RHP Justin Duchscherer threw 40 pitches in the bullpen, sitting down after the first 20 to simulate the break between innings. Duchscherer, who has had a sore elbow all spring, will make his next appearance in a minor league game, tentatively scheduled for Thursday. … 3B Eric Chavez is scheduled to play defense in a minor league game on Tuesday. It would be Chavez’s first game action on the field this spring. Chavez is rehabbing from right shoulder surgery. … C Landon Powell was unavailable because of a strained intercostal muscle. He is day to day. … RHP Brad Ziegler returned to the A’s from the WBC. Ziegler, who pitched only 3 1-3 innings in the WBC, said he is behind in his preparation for the season, but he can catch up with a few games. Ziegler is scheduled to pitch in minor league games on Tuesday and Thursday and then pitch in a big league game this weekend.

Blackhawks Beat Sharks in Shootout

Written By RICK GANO, AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) No quibbling from the Chicago Blackhawks. They'll take a victoy over one of the best teams in the NHL this season, even if they had to go to a shootout to get it.

After squandering a 4-1 lead, Chicago got shootout goals from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to beat the San Jose Sharks 6-5 on Wednesday night and move back into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference.

"We did it the hard way," Chicago's Martin Havlat said. "But we got two points. It doesn't matter who we played."

San Jose's Joe Thornton powered past Brent Seabrook and beat Nikolai Khabibulin to tie it at 5 with 2:08 left in regulation.

Andrew Ladd had two goals for Chicago, and Dave Bolland added three assists. Devin Setoguchi scored two goals for the Sharks, including one with 5:07 left that cut Chicago's lead to 5-4.

Toews, Havlat and Dustin Byfuglien also scored in regulation for Chicago. Jamie McGinn and Marc-Edouward Vlasic added goals for San Jose. "We're looking forward to getting back on track," Ladd said after Chicago's second straight win following a five-game winless streak.

"We're getting confidence back in this room. Slowly."

After Kane scored to give Chicago the lead opening the shootout, a shot by San Jose's Joe Pavelski hit the pipe and went off. Toews then beat San Jose goalie Evgeni Nabokov, and Khabibulin secured the win by snuffing former Blackhawks' star Jeremy Roenick.

"Habby (Khabibulin) bailed us out tonight with some good saves," Ladd said. "And Johnny and Kaner were big in the shootout. We're happy with the two points, but it's not good giving up the lead at the end."

Chicago has 89 points, one more than idle Vancouver. The Blackhawks will face the Canucks on Sunday in a pivotal game because the fourth-place finisher will get home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

San Jose, slowed by numerous injuries, tied idle Detroit for the NHL lead with 107 points. Thornton's powerful drive past Seabrook allowed the Sharks to get to overtime.

"I just went to the net. That's pretty much it. I just drove wide and shot and it just happened to go to the back of the net," Thornton said. "Maybe Brent was a little flatfooted on that play. He's pretty good defenseman."

Toews' 30th goal of the season was a strange one and put Chicago up 4-1 in the second. Cam Barker's shot from the left circle went off the skate of San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and then rebounded off Toews' foot into the goal - a score upheld by video review.

But the seemingly comfortable margin vanished quickly.

Just 15 seconds later, McGinn scored as his shot bounded off Khabibulin, hit the skate of Blackhawks' defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson from behind and went in. Vlasic's goal on a shot that hit Seabrook and deflected in got the Sharks to 4-3 later in the period.

But Ladd's second goal of the game came early in the final period, on a give-and-go with Bolland, and restored Chicago's margin to two - a lead that didn't last.

The Blackhawks scored first, 67 seconds into the game, when Havlat followed in a miss by Bolland after a long slap shot attempt by Seabrook.

San Jose got it back three minutes later on a power play as Setoguchi's long slapper from between the circles got past a screened Khabibulin.

Byfuglien put Chicago back up 2-1 when his wrist shot appeared to fool Nabokov, went off his shoulder and into the net. A minute and a second later, Ladd rescued a loose puck from in front of the goal and flicked it past Nabokov for a two-goal lead.

Notes: Sharks captain Patrick Marleau missed the game to be with his wife, who gave birth to their second son Wednesday. Rob Blake and Ryane Clowe were among Sharks who missed the game with injuries. ... The Blackhawks reassigned D Jordan Hendry to the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs. He had four penalty minutes in nine games over two stints with the Blackhawks this season.

Updated March 26, 2009

Chicago White Sox Annihilated By Hometown Rivals 13-2

Written By: Kendahl Damico for Mouthpiece Sports

In a Cactus League showdown on Saturday at Camelback Ranch, the Chicago White Sox fell hard to their hometown rivals, the Chicago Cubs. The loss brings the Sox Spring Training record to a disappointing 10-14.

The Chicago White Sox lost their sixth-straight game on Saturday to none other than their hometown rivals on their own Arizona turf.

Trailing the Chicago Cubs throughout the game, the White Sox couldn't keep up with their opponent's offensive prowess and failed to find their own rhythm in the batter's box.

One of the few shining moments of the day came from Josh Fields who blasted a homer off Cubs' Sean Marshall. First baseman Paul Konerko contributed two singles, but it was Chris Getz who ran in the Sox only other run of the game.

The mound also proved anti-climactic for the South Side clubhouse. Veteran pitcher Mark Buehrle may have started things on Saturday, but it didn't take him long to end them. Giving up eight runs within the first 3 and 2/3 innings, the south paw simply did not look himself.

Chicago Bears Start Minicamp Early; Orton Comments on Cutler

By Associated Press

At minicamp this week, QB Kyle Orton commented on the rumors surrounding the stability of the team's quarterback position. After much media speculation concerning the Bears acquisition of Denver QB Jay Cutler, who has asked for a trade, Orton stepped up to set the record straight.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—On a strange day for football, Kyle Orton was unfazed by speculation, offseason comments or any challenges to his standing as the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback.

As the Bears kicked off a minicamp two months early and the weather on a windy March day soared to 70 degrees, Orton was asked about comments from general manager Jerry Angelo last December that Chicago needed to stabilize the quarterback position.

“I haven’t talked to Jerry. I leave all that stuff to my agent. That’s what I pay him for so, all my concentration this year has been getting healthy, getting in good shape and being ready to come out here and perform,” Orton said Tuesday after a two-hour practice at Halas Hall.

Angelo’s comments came after the Bears finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for a second straight season since they made the Super Bowl.

Orton passed for 2,972 yards while completing 272 of 465 passes and throwing more touchdowns (18) than interceptions (12) after beating out Rex Grossman for the starting job. But a sprained ankle midway through the season hurt his mobility.

Angelo said he believed in Orton but wanted to see more competition at quarterback. Backups currently are Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez.

“It starts with the quarterback. It’s all about the quarterback. You don’t win because of wide receivers. You don’t win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We’ve got to get the quarterback position stabilized,” Angelo said.

Orton said he wasn’t upset or surprised by Angelo’s remarks.

“No, I just really didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to it. I know what I’ve got to do to get ready. I’m worried about myself and taking care of all the things I need to do to be the guy in this organization for a long time,” Orton said.

“It’s the most important position. You’ve got to get it right and he’s got to know it’s right. I think that I’m that guy. I feel like with my work and my play, I’m just going to make him believe that it’s right as well and end up being the guy here for a long time.”

There has also been speculation—most of it in the media—that the Bears should try to acquire disgruntled Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, who has asked for a trade.

“I haven’t heard that, to be honest with you. I don’t know,” Orton said. “There’s rumors every single year, whether it’s him or somebody else. I’m happy with where I’m at. I think the organization is behind me and I know my teammates are, so that’s really all that matters to me.”

Head coach Lovie Smith wanted his team to get a jump-start on the season and decided to have the three-day minicamp early instead of after the April draft.

And he made it clear he was firmly behind Orton.

“I think we got good play from our quarterback position before Kyle injured his ankle. So I’m excited about a healthy Kyle playing an entire year,” Smith said, adding that Orton’s not distracted by rumors.

“Kyle’s not listening to much of that. He had a big smile on his face today,” Smith said. “Quarterbacks in general, they’re going to have to answer questions. That’s just a part of the life of a quarterback, but it doesn’t faze him much.”

The Bears are still hoping to re-sign tackle John St. Clair, especially now that John Tait has told the team he plans to retire. They’ve added a safety in Josh Bullocks and an offensive linemen in Frank Omiyale.

But some of their biggest offseason changes have come in the coaching staff where they’ve signed former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach and Jon Hoke to coach the defensive backs.

Smith, who was the St. Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator before being hired by the Bears, will take over much of the play calling on defense—even though Bob Babich will retain the title of defensive coordinator. Babich will spend his time with the linebackers.

Chicago’s defense finished 28th (354.7 yards per game) in 2007 and 21st last season (334.7 ypg) under Babich.

Marinelli, whose Lions finished 0-16 last season, is a longtime friend of Smith’s from their days coaching together in Tampa Bay. Marinelli said he was glad to be back on the field and in meetings so quickly.

“It’s fun being in that room with your guys again. I mean it’s a ball, I love that part of it,” he said.

“It’s absolutely wonderful.”

Lovie Smith Moves Omiyale to Starting Right Tackle

By Associated Press

Newly acquired Frank Omiyale was named the Bears starting right tackle by head coach Lovie Smith. The Bears lost John St. Clair to a three-year, $9 million free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns shortly after their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and had already lost 2008 starting right tackle John Tait to retirement.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—Losing a second starting tackle prompted Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith to take immediate action.

Smith on Wednesday moved newly acquired free agent Frank Omiyale to starting right tackle from backup guard.

The Bears lost John St. Clair to a three-year, $9 million free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns shortly after their first minicamp practice on Tuesday, and had already lost 2008 starting right tackle John Tait to retirement.

“I’m not surprised, that’s a part of it,” Smith said about losing St. Clair in free agency. “Some of your players leave. Most of the time it opens up an opportunity for someone else to step in and that’s what we’re looking to.”

St. Clair started at left tackle for the Bears last season and figured to start at right tackle if he returned in 2009, as last year’s first-round draft pick Chris Williams moved into the starting left tackle spot.

Omiyale, a former Carolina Panther, signed with the Bears at the outset of unrestricted free agency and began minicamp at guard while second-year undrafted free agent acquisition Cory Balogh lined up at starting right tackle.

But the loss of St. Clair and one day of minicamp practices prompted Smith to change it up—and he wasn’t in a mood to experiment.

“We’re trying to lock guys in,” Smith said. “He’ll play right tackle right now. It’s hard enough learning a new system playing one position, so we’ll lock him in there for a while and go.”

Balogh moved back to second-team tackle with the switch.

Omiyale appreciated the extra time he’ll have to get ready at the new spot, especially since he started only one NFL game with Carolina. That was on the left side and not at right tackle. He did play right tackle in preseason games.

“I’ve got to get the whole offense down, period, but just switching my mechanics from the left side to the right side, that’s the biggest thing,” he said.

Omiyale, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder from Tennessee Tech, was cut after being drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round in 2005. He went to Carolina and last year played in 10 games for the Panthers, including an Oct. 5 start against Kansas City in which the Panthers ran for 205 yards in a 34-0 victory.

“We knew we had flexibility with Frank,” Smith said. “He’s an athletic guy, eager to learn, and of course (offensive line coach) Harry (Hiestand) will do a great job with him. So this was an easy decision.”

The Bears could also add help at tackle in free agency or next month’s NFL draft.

“We’re always looking to improve our ball club, whether its free agency,” Smith said. “Right now, of course, we have the draft coming around, too. We need to get our numbers up with the offensive line right now because you can see we don’t have a lot of guys.”

Omiyale finds working with veteran players like Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz and right guard Roberto Garza a huge benefit.

“There’s a bunch of characters on this line, so they’re making it easy to not even think of work, just having fun and keep doing our jobs,” he said.

The non-contact minicamp drills conclude Thursday for the Bears, who have been able to avoid injuries to this point.

Bulls Lose the Lead in the Fourth and Lakers Get the Win

John Salmons led the Bulls with 30 points and Derrick Rose chipped in 25 but the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to a 117-109 victory, ending Chicago's seven game home winning streak Saturday night. Bulls' forward Tyrus Thomas also had a strong performance with 15 points and 16 rebounds

By Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - The Los Angeles Lakers are having trouble lately hanging onto big leads. They had no problem erasing one, however.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points, Pau Gasol added 23 and the Lakers rallied for a 117-109 victory Saturday over the Chicago Bulls in the first of a season-high, seven-game trip.

The Lakers trailed by 16 in the second quarter and 14 at the half, but came roaring back in the third, pulling within one. They tied it early in the fourth, then took the lead with a 14-0 run that made it 106-93 on a night when Bryant wasn't quite his usual dominant self.

Despite the high point total, he shot just 10-for-25. Even so, the man who once said he wouldn't mind playing in Chicago got serenaded with "MVP! MVP!" chants.

Bryant acknowledged that was strange, but added: "It's fun, and it's greatly appreciated."

Turning the tables on the opposition was fun, too.

Los Angeles let big leads whittle down in the previous four games, but rallied this time thanks to a balanced effort that included key contributions from the bench to back the starters.

Gasol grabbed 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza scored 18 points, Lamar Odom added 16 and Jordan Farmar had eight of his 13 in the decisive run for the Lakers, who have won five of six.

"We played with a little more intensity, a little more energy," Farmar said. "We were a step faster to the ball. We were helping each other out defensively and just moving the ball offensively."

After beating New Orleans and defending champion Boston, along with Oklahoma City, Chicago simply let this one slip away, committing 23 turnovers.

John Salmons scored 30 and Derrick Rose 25 for the Bulls, who had tied a season high with three straight wins, but their luck ended against the Western Conference leaders. So did their seven-game home win streak.

"We were turning the ball over and when you do that in this league, anyone will beat you," said Rose, who had four.

Trailing 62-48 at halftime, the Lakers went on a 12-0 run to cut it to three after Salmons started the third quarter with a free throw for Chicago. They got as close as one midway through the period and finally tied it at 89 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Sasha Vujacic and Odom less than two minutes into the fourth.

The Lakers took their first lead since the early stages on a three-point play by Luke Walton that made it 92-91. After Ben Gordon made two free throws, the Lakers answered with 14 straight to put away Chicago - and their backups led the charge.

Farmar hit two 3s and capped the run with dunk that made it 106-93 with 4:22 left, while the Bulls also committed three straight turnovers at one point during that stretch.

"It's a long trip and we're going to need our second unit to play the way they're capable of on nights when it's kind of a seesaw battle like that," Bryant said. "Our depth is one of our greatest features."

Their second unit, Gordon added, "is not an average second unit. They got the job done when Kobe was over there resting."

It was a difficult loss for the Bulls, who seemed poised to knock off another contender.

Salmons scored 18 points in the first half, Rose had 14, and both came up with eye-popping baskets in the final minute as the Bulls stalled a mini-spurt by the Lakers.

For Rose, it was a double-pump layup on the break with 28 seconds left to make it 59-46. Salmons' moment came after Trevor Ariza put back a 3 by Bryant that hit the side of the backboard with 3.8 seconds left, when he buried one from just beyond the arc as the buzzer sounded.

Two big shots. Two big performances.

But the Lakers pulled this one out.

"In the second half, we came out and played harder," Gasol said. "Our second unit really gave us a lift."

Notes: Considering how well he's been playing, Salmons may be pushing the injured Luol Deng out of the starting lineup. Salmons was averaging 19.4 points entering Saturday's game since the Bulls acquired him from Sacramento. Deng, meanwhile, has been sidelined the past three weeks with what he has said is a "very small, not even a hairline" fracture in his right leg. "We have to wait and see when Luol comes back how healthy he is," coach Vinny Del Negro said when asked if Deng would start. "He's still got some discomfort there. It's going to take a little time. My focus is to go with the guys who are healthy right now." ... Only one of the Lakers' opponents on this trip - Atlanta - had a winning record through Friday.

Get To Know The New Chicago Cubs

Written By: Sarah Spain for Mouthpiece Sports

Last season the Chicago Cubs won 97 games and claimed their second straight National League Central Division crown. One would expect to see a slightly tweaked but mostly intact 2008 Cubs team report for Spring Training in 2009. One would be wrong. This offseason the Cubs added three pitchers, two outfielders, an infielder and a catcher.

The Cubs have added three pitchers, two outfielders, an infielder and a catcher, while saying goodbye to some big names like Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa and Jason Marquis.

Lou Piniella has a chance to be the first manager since 1908 to lead a Cubs team to the postseason three years in a row and this 2009 Cubs squad is truly Sweet Lou’s team. Just seven players from Opening Day of 2007, Piniella’s first year with the team, will report to camp in Mesa. Only time will tell if the moves made by the skipper during his three-year tenure will result in the team’s first World Series win in over a century.

After leading the MLB all season long in 2008, the Cubs choked in the postseason, getting bumped in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row. Fans were left wondering how they can possibly believe in a World Series run in ’09 when a team that seemed so indestructible last year fell so flat when it counted.

Perhaps a century’s worth of pressure got to the guys. The storybook tale of the Cubs winning it all exactly one hundred years later might have been a little too perfect. Or maybe the old Lovable Losers moniker rang too true. Maybe the guys were a little too nice. Not tough enough. Not gamers.

Friday marks the start of another year of wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ and prayin’. There will be all sorts of new faces at Spring Training this year, so here’s a quick primer on the new guys Cubs fans will be pinning their World Series hopes on:

The New Guys:

Milton Bradley: The Cubs’ biggest offseason catch was the switch-hitting, headline-making, fan-taunting Bradley. He finished last year third in the American League with a .321 batting average and led the league with a Texas Rangers club record .436 on-base percentage. His .999 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) was tops in the American League and fourth overall in the majors, but the oft-injured star appeared in just 126 games and has been held to less than 100 games in four of the last seven seasons. The controversial Bradley says he’s ready to put his troubled past behind him and start fresh in Chicago. His success will be a huge factor in deciding the Cubs’ fate this season.

Aaron Miles: Miles wasn’t exactly brought in to replace fan favorite and all-around player Mark DeRosa, but acquiring him allowed the Cubs to trade DeRosa to free up payroll. Miles will likely share time at second base with Mike Fontenot and spell Ryan Theriot at shortstop. The switch-hitter batted .317 with a .355 OBP last year.

Kevin Gregg; The Cubs waved goodbye to Kerry Wood and said hello to Gregg, a righty recently of the Florida Marlins. Gregg compiled 61 saves in his last two seasons and held hitters to a .203 average last year. Gregg was brought in to compete with Carlos Marmol for the closer role, but I believe he’s more likely to end up being Marmol's setup man.

Aaron Heilman: The right-handed Heilman has spent his entire career with the New York Mets. He never once pitched more than three innings last season and hasn’t started a game since 2005, and yet Heilman hopes to compete with Jeff Samardzija and Sean Marshall for the fifth spot in the rotation. Stranger things have happened, but I think he'll end up being a bullpen guy instead.

Luis Vizcaino: Vizcaino will be yet another new guy vying for a spot in the bullpen. After a poor season with the Rockies last year, it’s hard to know what to expect from the righty. If he can get his ERA back down, he could be a solid

Joey Gathright: Gathright can play any outfield position but he specializes in center field. The Cubs have an abundance of outfielders so he’ll likely be used primarily as a pinch-runner. He's fast--he had a career-high 21 stolen bases in ’08--and has the hops to jump over cars. Seriously.

Paul Bako: The Cubs let go of Henry Blanco and will look to a familiar face to back up starting catcher Geovany Soto. Bako, who was with Chicago from 2003-2004, set career highs in RBI, homers and runs last year, his 11th season in the majors. I understand that Piniella wanted a lefty to backup Soto, but I’ll miss Hank White and the flame tattoos running up and down his arms.

Are those seven guys the missing pieces to the puzzle? Is it possible that with a new owner and a host of new players the Chcago Cubs can do the unthinkable? Could this be the year?

I wouldn’t be a real Cubs fan if I didn’t believe.