Yardbarker: Sean Williams

Cubs Dump A's 7-5 at Fitch Park

Mon, 18 May 2009 16:48:05 -0500

Matt Cerda drove in three runs on an RBI single and two sacrifice flies, leading the EXST Cubs to a 7-5 victory over the EXST A's in Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning in Mesa.

In addition to Cerda's contributions to the offense, Logan Watkins reached ase three times on two walks and an RBI triple, Alvaro Sosa had four singles, and Jose Valdez had two hits and stole three bases.

RHP Josh Whitlock (2008 26th round draft pick out of the U. of West Virginia) made his first appearance with the EXST Cubs after getting demoted from Peoria yesterday, allowing two runs in two innings of work. He labored a bit and struggled with his command, essentially the same problem he had at Peoria.

Also, RHP Robert Hernandez was virtually unhittable in his two innings, retiring all six hitters he faced on four strikeouts, an infield pop up, and a weak ground ball to 2B. Hernandez is at EXST rehabbing from a sprained ankle suffered while pitching for Daytona during the last week of Minor League Camp

And RHP Cedric Redmond (rehabbing from broken finger) finally made his first game appearance of 2009, tossing a scoreless extra half-inning that was tacked onto the end of the contest after the Cubs had already won the game.

While the Cubs and A's played on Field #3, six Cubs pitchers needing work (Yohan Gonzalez, Gian Guzman, Cody Hams, Marcos Perez, George Pineda, and Ryan Sontag) threw two innings a piece (15 pitches each inning) in a six-inning simulated game on Field #2, facing John Contreras, Sean Hoorelbeke, Jose Made, and Chris Weimer.

Hot-hitting INF Dwayne Kemp is out of action for a few days with a quad injury.

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only)...

LINEUP:

1. Jose Valdez, CF: 2-4 (4-3, 1B, 1B, K - 2 R, 3 SB)

2. Logan Watkins, DH #1: 1-2 (BB, 3B, BB, L-7 - 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 1 CS)

3. Matt Cerda, 2B: 1-1 (BB, F-7 SF, F-7 SF, 1B - 1 R, 3 RBI)

4. Jericho Jones, DH #2: 2-4 (1B, 63, 1B, 5-3 - 1 RBI)

5. Jesus Morelli, RF: 0-3 (F-9, HBP, F-8, 4-3 - 1 R, 1 SB)

6. Juan Medina, C-1B: 1-4 (1B, P-4, 4-3, K - 1 R)

7. Alvaro Sosa, 1B-C: 4-4 (1B, 1B, 1B, 1B)

8. George Matheus, 3B: 1-4 (6-4 FC, 6-3, 6-4 FC, 1B - 2 RBI)

9. Sean Williams, LF: 0-4 (6-3 GIDP, 6-3, 6-3, 1-3)

10. Robert Bautista, SS: 1-3 (1-3, K, 1B - 1 R, 1 SB)

PITCHERS:

1. Jon Nagel - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 5/0 GO/FO

2. Josh Whitlock - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 2/2 GO/FO

3. Josh Lansford - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 4./1 GO/FO

4. Robert Hernandez - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/FO

5. Cedric Redmond - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO

ERRORS (2):

1. SS Robert Bautista - errant throw to 1st base (E-6) allowed batter to reach base safely with one out and nobody on base in the top of the 2nd inning.

2. 3B George Matheus - easy one hopper bounced off glove (E-5) allowing batter to reach base safely with no outs and bases empty in the top of the 10th inning.

OUTFIELD ASSISTS:

RF Jesus Morelli threw out baserunner 9-5 trying to advance from 1st to 3rd on line-drive base hit to RF with two outs in the top of the 7th inning.

A's Not Laughing at Ha Trifecta

Wed, 13 May 2009 17:11:06 -0500

CF Jae-Hoon Ha had three hits, scored three runs, and made three circus catches in the outfield, leading the EXST Cubs to a 13-5 drubbing of the EXST A's at the Oakland A's Minor League Complex at Papago Park in Phoenix this morning.

the 18-year old Ha singled and scored in the 1st, 5th, and 7th, and made a sliding catch in left-center in the 3rd, a dip-glove knee-high running catch in right-center in the 5th, and a leaping over-the-shoulder catch at the centerfield fence that took away a two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th. (On the latte play, Ha received a 9.9 from all the judges except the one from North Korea, who inexplicably gave him a 2.5).

The top five hitters in the Cubs lineup reached base an amazing 18 times (combined) today, scoring 11 of the Cubs 13 runs. Besides Ha's offensive contributions, lead-off hitter Logan Watkins reached base four times on a HBP, two walks, and a single, and scored three runs, DH Matt Cerda reached base four times on a double, a single, and two walks, scored three runs, and knocked in three more, clean-up hitter John Contreras had three hits, drove in three, and scored a run, and Sean Hoorelbeke reached base all four times he batted on a walk, two singles, and a double, and he also scored a run.

23-year old Dominican RHP Andres Quezada (converted from outfielder to pitcher a year ago) got the start for the Cubs and worked three solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits, while striking out two. I suspect Quezada could get a promotion to Peoria at any time.

And 20-year old Venezuelan RHP Robert Hernandez (at EXST rehabbing from a sprained ankle suffered the last week of Minor League Camp) worked two innings, but pitched a lot better than his line might otherwise indicate. Hernandez--pitching in front of friends and family from Venezuela--was the victim of shoddy Cubs defense in the bottom of the 5th, including two high pop ups that fell in the "Bermuda Triangle" between SS-LF-3B that SS George Matheus decided he just HAD to try to catch (even though an outfielder probably would have had an easier play) before losing both in the sun,,and a fielding miscue at 3B by the usually sure-handed Jose Made. (Made had an especially poor game, making two errors at 3B, and going 0-4 at the plate, including a strikeout and a GIDP).

Although he allowed two easy pop ups to fall for hits, Matheus did make one outstanding defensive play earlier in the game, ending the bottom of the 1st inning with a spectacular diving catch of a line drive headed toward CF, and then turning it into a 6-3 DP, saving Quezada a run.

18-year old RHP Adam Spencer (one of three teenaged Australian recruits at Cubs EXST) had a roller-coaster ride in the bottom of the 6th, allowing one run on a double and an RBI single, but (as Jack Brickhouse used to say) "It sure could have been worse!" Spencer was the beneficiary of the Ha HR take-away catch, plus another fine play, this one a running over-the-shoulder catch in right-field foul territory by 1B Sean Hoorelbeke.

RHPs Carlos Rojas and Manolin DeLeon each threw one inning, and while Rojas struggled to get through the 8th and allowed two runs (a walk, then a triple, and then an F-8 sac fly), EXST Cubs closer DeLeon had an easy 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th. Like Quezada, DeLeon could be the next pitcher to leave Fitch Park for Peoria (or Daytona).

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only). Note that Jose Guevara was assigned as the bullpen catcher, but he did get an AB in the top of the 8th as DH #3 (and lined a single to left).:

LINEUP
1. Logan Watkins, 2B: 1-2 (HBP, BB, BB, 1B, P-6 - 3 R, 1 PO)
2. Jae-Hoon Ha, CF: 3-5 (1B, F-7, 1B, 1B, 6-3 - 3 R)
3. Matt Cerda, DH #1: 2-3 (1B, BB, BB, 2B, K - 3 R, 3 RBI)
4. John Contreras, DH #2 - C: 3-5 (6-3, 1B, 1B, 1B, L-8 - 1 R, 3 RBI)
5. Sean Hoorelbeke, 1B: 3-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, 2B - 1 R)
6. Jesus Morelli, RF: 1-4 (1-U, K, 5-3, 1B - 1 R, 2 RBI)
7. Alvaro Sosa, C - DH #2: 1-3 (BB, 4-3, K, 3B - 1 R, 1 RBI)
8. George Matheus, SS: 1-4 (FC, 1B, 3-U, E-5 - 1 CS)
9. Sean Williams, LF: 1-4 (5-3, 1-3, 1B, K)
10. Jose Made, 3B: 0-4 (K, 6-3, 6-4-3 GIDP, F-9)
11. Jose Guevara, DH #3: 1-1 (1B + E-7)

PITCHERS:
1. Andres Quezada - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 3/4 GO/FO
2. Robert Hernandez - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/FO
3. Adam Spencer - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2/3 GO/FO
4. Carlos Rojas - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K 1/2 GO/FO 5. Manolin DeLeon - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO

ERRORS (2):
Two errors by 3B Jose Made, both while attempting to field grounders, and one of the errors resulted in an unearned run scoring.

ATTENDANCE: 10 (mostly Robert Hernandez's family &

Cubs Split EXST Games with Giants at Fitch Park

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:36:01 -0500

Ryan Keedy had three hits including two RBI doubles, but the Giants defeated the Cubs in an eight-inning Extended Spring Training game on Fitch Park Field #3 this morning. Meanwhile, another squad of Cubs blanked a second squad of Giants 11-0 in a seven-inning game on Field #2, as Larry Suarez and Carlos Rojas threw lights-out shutout ball over the seven innings. (The Giants brought their entire squad to Mesa today--which is unusual--so there were enough players for two games).

I could have tried to watch & score both games simultaneously, but I opted to score only the game on Field #3, so here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only) from that game:

LINEUP:

1. Hak-Ju Lee, DH #1: 2-4 (6-3, 2B, 1B, K - 1 R, 1 CS)

2. George Matheus, 2B: 1-3 (2B, K, K, HBP - 1 R)

3. Ryan Keedy, 1B-DH #2: 3-4 (2B, 2B, 1B, GIDP - 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 CS)

4. Kevin Soto, CF: 0-2 (F-9, BB, K)

5. Sean Hoorelbeke, DH #2-1B: 1-3 (1B, P-4, GIDP - 1 RBI)

6. Kurt Calvert, RF: 0-3 (4-3, P-4, K)

7a. Juan Medina, C 1-1 (2B, BB)

7b. Alvaro Sosa, C: 1-1 (1B)

8. Robert Bautista, SS: 0-3 (1-3, 1-3, L-7)

9. Jose Made, 3B: 0-3 (P-5, 3-1, K)

10. Sean Williams, LF: 2-3 (6-3, 2B, 1B)

PITCHERS:

1. Tarlandus Mitchell - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1/1 GO/FO

2. Yohan Gonzalez - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/1 GO/FO

3. Eduardo Figueroa - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 6/0 GO/FO

4. Dumas Garcia - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 3/1 GO/FO

ERRORS (3):

RF Kurt Calvert misplayed a line single, allowing batter-runner to take an extra base, 1B Ryan Keedy bobbled a grounder allowing batter to reach 1st base, and SS Robert Bautista missed a grounder (went off his glove into short left-center) with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 5th allowing two runs (including the tying run) to score.

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Juan Medina - 1-3 CS

BASERUNNING

Sean Williams was thrown out 9-6-5 trying to stretch a double into a triple leading off the bottom of the 5th.

The EXST Cubs lineup for the other game went something like: Francisco Guzman, CF, Matt Cerda, DH #1, Chris Weimer, 1B Jake Opitz, 3B, Logan Watkins, SS, Jericho Jones DH #2, Jae-Hoon Ha, RF, Jesus Morelli, LF, Robert Contreras/Jose Guevara, C, and Dwayne Kemp, 2B, with Larry Suarez, SP.

EXST NOTES: 23-year old utility INF Jose Made (selected by the Cubs in the 20th round of the 2007 draft out of Dominican College) is learning to switch-hit (he used to hit only right-handed).

24-year old RHP Josh Lansford (ex-3B drafted in 6th round out of Caol Poly in 2006 draft), 23-year old LHP Ryan Sontag (drafted as OF out of Arizona State in 23rd round of 2008 draft), and 19-year old Dominican RHP Gian Guzman (ex-SS) are being converted to pitcher. Lansford's brother is a pitcher in the A's organization, and his father and uncles were MLB 3rd basemen.

2008 4th round pick 18-year old Matt Cerda was moved from catcher to 2B for a while recently when his defensive problems behind the plate were affecting his hitting, but he has apparently been moved back to catcher (at least for the time-being), although he was a DH today. Whether he will,end up as a catcher or a second-baseman is still TBD.

18-year old Korean bonus baby Hak-Ju Lee (2008 Tommy John surgery) is being eased back to SS, although he was a DH today. He has put on some weight since last year and looks a lot stronger, but he also may be outgrowing SS.

Fellow 18-year old Korean Jae-Hoon Ha has reportedly been the most-impressive position player so far at EXST, displaying plus-power while playing mostly RF. He is a converted catcher

Also, 20-year old speedy switch-hitting Dominican OF Jose Valdez is out of action with a leg injury, and RHP Cedric Redmond (signed as a Draft & Follow in May 2007 after being selected in the 27th round of the 2006 draft out of Oakton Community College) has a broken finger on his pitching hand.

Sean Williams Suspended for Cell Phone Store Hissy

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:14:17 -0500

The New Jersey Nets have suspended Sean Williams for two games after his altercation with a clerk in a cell phone store in Denver.

Sean Williams Did What We’ve All Wanted to do at the Cell Phone Store

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:38:13 -0500

The only difference between Sean Williams and the rest of us is that he actually acted out on his frustration. And he can probably afford to do so. Williams is a forward for the Nets who was at a mall in Denver because the team was in town to play the Nuggets Monday [...]

Nuggets Balanced Scoring Overwhelms Nets 121-96

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:31:10 -0500

The Nets, like a handful of Eastern Conference teams, have little-to-no chance of grabbing a playoff berth; but unlike most teams in that predicament, they had yet another off-the-court issue as forward Sean Williams was arrested Monday and arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and felony criminal mischief. But despite that, New Jersey had a game to play Monday evening against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The loss of Devin Harris (shoulder issues) and Williams obviously affected the Nets’ game as they were

Can You Hear Me Now?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:26:11 -0500

The Nets’ Sean Williams got arrested yesterday, for assaulting an employee at a cell phone store in suburban Denver. I wasn’t there, and I don’t know exactly what led to the altercation. But, I have been to a cell phone store and dealt with the horrible people who work there. So, I’m comfortable saying that Sean [...]

Bubble burst for the women and other links

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:17:50 -0500

The BC women are WNIT bound. The BCI guys discussed it more in depth, but ultimately BC didn't do enough against the best teams on their schedule and didn't win enough in the ACC (7-7). Hopefully they get back in next year. Things seem to be headed in the right direction but I know little about the national women's basketball scene.Sean Williams is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. Does anyone think he stop acting like an immature idiot? Hopefully he gets the help he ne...

Dropping Links: St. Patrick

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:17:38 -0500

Nuggets Balanced Scoring Overwhelms Nets 121-96

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:59:05 -0500

Separated at Birth: Sean 3000

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:28:00 -0500

While the sophs hammered the rooks last night, Dunbar noticed the strong resemblance of Nets forward Sean Williams and Outkast's Andre 3000.

Video Jamario Moon or is it Sean Williams Flips the Bird After the Rookie Sophomore Game

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:11:32 -0500

Jamario Moon, or is it Sean Williams might have wanted to wait until he got to the locker room for this special hand signal he had for someone in the handshake line. I don't think he was really upset or anything, and I am assuming he was just goofing around with someone, but he landed in the unfortunate position of throwing his middle finger almost directly into a camera on the court after the game. Whoops! UPDATE: Someone is telling me that isn't Jamario Moon. Is it Sean Williams?...

Penny Hardaway: A perfect game

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:15:10 -0500

November 15, 2007 That's exactly what Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Miami Heat's free agent acquisition, did the other day against the New Jersey Nets wherein he and former Orlando Magic teammate Shaquille O'Neal sealed the Heat's victory (91-87) with "strong fourth quarter play" in East Rutherford, N.J. AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney wrote: "The Heat were up five with less than 9 minutes left when Hardaway made a 3-pointer. He knocked down another one about 1 1/2 minutes later, giving Miami a 75-66 cushion with 7:22 remaining. Sean Williams' bucket cut it to four with 4 1/2 minutes left, but Hardaway answered with another 3 with 4:09 to go. Hardaway hadn't scored more than eight points in a game this season, when he returned to the league after not playing since the 2005-06 season because of leg injuries." Sun-Sentinel and Miami Heat beat writer added: "And Hardaway finally made shots, going 6 for 6 (4 for 4 from downtown and 3 of the 4 in the 4th quarter), the first time he played without a miss in his career." Even with D.Wade back, Penny Hardaway's stellar play (as of late as there have been a number of occasions this year wherein the Heat have had to beg him just to shoot the basketball) might actually score some more points with stern taskmaster and Heat coach Pat Riley. Ricky Davis, watch your back!