Luis Devers (Photo by Stephanie Lynn)

MLB Draft Signing Update

The Cubs appear to have concluded their MLB draft signings yesterday. Two more deals were finalized to bring their total up to 19 signings. The deal for 2nd rounder Jackson Ferris used up all but $5 of the Cubs $10,603,005 bonus pool. They were also able to sign 16th rounder J.P. Wheat. The only unsigned draftee is 19th rounder Brock Blatter, who was always considered a longshot, as he has a strong commitment to University of Alabama with an NLI deal in place there. With no remaining bonus money Blatter will definitely be out of reach. The Cubs will also not be able to offer more than $125K to any undrafted free agents they wish to sign.

#Cubs Draft signing updateYesterday, the team signed Jackson Ferris to a $3.005M deal, equivalent to the slot value of pick 23.16th rounder J.P. Wheat also signed. No bonus figure announced, but the Cubs had just $5 of bonus pool remaining so Wheat’s deal does not exceed 125K. pic.twitter.com/ZFDIYCfGnA

July 30, 2022

For comparison, the top bonuses the Cubs gave out between the 2021 and 2022 Drafts:Horton 4.4MWicks 3.1MFerris 3.0MTriantos 2.1MMulé 1.0MGray 0.9MPaciolla 0.9MC. Franklin 0.4MBirdsell 0.3M

July 30, 2022

AAA

Iowa 5, St. Paul 4 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

The good news: Caleb Kilian was throwing hard, missing bats, and only allowed one run on one hit. The bad: his troubling struggles with control returned, as he walked six batters over four innings. It would have been nice if Kilian would have been ready to replace any of the veteran starters the Cubs end up trading this week, but it appears he may need some more time in Iowa to iron out whatever is causing his issues.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis got the Cubs off to a hot start as each belted 1st inning homers.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis give us a 2-0 lead with these solo shots! pic.twitter.com/MLpqL1K9ZL

July 30, 2022

Iowa would hold a 3-1 lead heading into the 7th, but St. Paul shortstop Jermaine Palacios hit a two-run homer off Cayne Ueckert to tie it. The red hot Narciso Crook would untie in the 8th with a solo home run of his own.

Narciso Crook. Unreal.

Solo homer breaks a 3-3 tie in the 8th to give the @IowaCubs back the lead.

Third homer of the series, fifth homer this week. “

Adds to his career-high with 16 homers this year.

It’s July 29.

July 30, 2022

The back and forth would continue in the 9th as Ben Leeper failed to hold the Cubs one run lead as Palacios came up big again, hitting his second homer. Mervis opened the 10th on 2nd base and would eventually score on a wild pitch. This time, Leeper would finish it off, getting Jake Cave to ground into a double play with the bases loaded to end it.

Top Performers

Dixon Machado: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), R, RBI, BB (.312)Narciso Crook: 1-4, HR (16), R, RBI, BB (.269)Matt Mervis: 1-5, HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.241)John Hicks: 2-4, 2B, R (.254)Caleb Kilian: 4 IP, H, R, 6 BB, 6 K (3.55)Wyatt Short: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K (4.50)

AA

Tennessee 3, Birmingham 2

Game Recap

After failing to make it out of the 1st inning in his first AA start, D.J. Herz came out and pitched… well, like D.J. Herz: Hard to hit, difficult to score on, and effectively wild. He’d earn the win with five good innings. Peyton Remy followed with three shutout frames, as the Tennessee staff worked to make a three-run 5th from the offense hold up. Jeremiah Estrada made it interesting in the 9th, allowing four runners and a run, but wriggled off the hook to close it out.

A 2-RUN SINGLE FROM JAKE SLAUGHTER TO TAKE THE LEAD!! 2-1 Smokies in the bottom of the 5th. pic.twitter.com/HTGdBUzho0

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 5 IP, H, R, 4 BB, 2 HBP, 5 K (W, 1-0, 8.44)Peyton Remy: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (6.91)Andy Weber: 2-3, 2 BB (.297)Bradlee Beesley: 1-2, R, BB, HBP, SB (7) (.234)Jake Slaughter: 1-4, 2 RBI, HBP (.311)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Jake Washer knocked in a run in his first appearance with Tennessee this year. He has added a bunch of strength this year and has all of a sudden emerged as a power hitter, but he’s also strangely played just 4 games at catcher, spending most of his time at DH and 11 games at 1B. I’m not sure if there is an injury that is preventing him from playing behind the plate this year, or if the org has simply determined to move him out of that spot. If so, the added offense is even more imperative.

To make room on the roster, Cam Balego was released.

High-A

South Bend 7, Lake County 6 (10 innings)

Game Recap

Another close game, another extra inning affair.

South Bend stormed out to a 5-1 lead, scoring all five runs in the bottom of the 1st, capped by a run scoring double Luis Verdugo. However, the Captains soon matched the Cubs big inning, putting up five runs of their own in the 3rd inning as Wade Miley ran out of gas in his first rehab outing. Now down a run, the Cubs turned to Luis Devers in a piggyback role, and boy did he deliver. His five shutout innings gave the Cubs an opportunity to tie it up, with Verdugo driving in a run on a ground out in the 6th. Verdugo also helped out with his glove:

Luis Verdugo seems to flash the leather at the hot corner every night!

He took home tonight’s Laven Insurance Defensive Play of the Game. pic.twitter.com/rB2lRWotp0

July 30, 2022

Hunter Bigge took over on the mound in the 9th and finished his strong month of July with another superb outing. The Cubs closer struggled through a rough June, but he was lights out in the early portion of the season and seems to be back on track once again. He tossed a perfect 9th, then a perfect 10th, striking out four batters.

Hunter Bigge looked vicious tonight and has not allowed a run all month pic.twitter.com/NvBP3CYj6w

July 30, 2022

The game ended on a walk off wild pitch which scored Yeison Santana.

Top Performers

Luis Devers: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (0.42)Hunter Bigge: 2IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (W, 5-2, 4.95)B.J. Murray Jr.: 2-3, RBI, BB (.267)Pablo Aliendo: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI (.268)Jordan Nwogu: 2-5, R (.243)Luis Verdugo: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI (.264)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Pablo Aliendo came into today’s game hitting .354 for the month of July. This might be the longest single of the season. pic.twitter.com/aSRefdmz4t

July 29, 2022

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 5, Augusta 2

Game Recap

Leave it to Myrtle Beach to win convincingly. It wasn’t easy, but Tyler Santana won his 8th game as he worked into the 6th, and Johzan Oquendo worked around some traffic to throw three shutout frames.

Ethan Hearn hit his 7th homer.

Ethan Hearn with a HR. pic.twitter.com/nwNsmzkJoT

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

Tyler Santana: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, HBP, 7 K (W, 8-1, 2.37)Johzan Oquendo: 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, HBP, 5 K (4.38)Alfredo Zarraga: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 4, 2.25)Ethan Hearn: 2-4, HR (7), 2 R, 2 RBI (.191)Josue Huma: 2-4, 2B, R, BB (.260)Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, 2B, R (.214)Alejandro Rivero: 1-3, 2B (.267)

ACL

Brewers 10, Cubs 7

DSL

Cubs Blue 3, Mets1 2

Cubs Red 3, Pirates 2

Mark Curran: I think that some of these prosecutors that have taken the Soros money and that are letting everybody out and not prosecuting violent crimes the way they should, that they are a danger to America but by the same token…  

Watch Berkowitz w/Mark Curran (R-Libertyville), GOP nominee for IL S CT 2nd Dist. seat (Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall and DeKalb county voters can vote in this race) in Part 2 of the interview, focusing on crime, bail, guns and the July 4th Highland Park tragedy: Cable or by visiting here:

Tonight (Saturday) in Aurora, 6 pm, Cable Ch. 10 (all Aurora voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)  Tomorrow (Sunday) morning in Chicago, 8:32 am, CH 19 (CAN TV)Monday and Wednesday in Highland Park, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch 19 (all Highland Park voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)Or 24/7 on the internet:

The Dems have a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court, but if the GOP wins the two open seats (2nd and 3rd Districts, both purple) in November, GOP will have the majority on the IL S CT for the 1st time in 60 years.

You can also watch the interview featuring former IL Ass’t Attorney General and current GOP IL Supreme Court 2nd District Nominee Mark Curran by visiting here:

In this week’s Public Affairs show w/Supreme Court candidate and former Lake County prosecutor and sheriff Mark Curran, the discussion turns to Curran’s gut views and gestalt on detention by the courts of defendants prior to trial, skyrocketing crime, guns, the July 4th Highland Park tragic shooting, the IL Firearms Restraining Order Act, and the run-up to that awful July 4th massacre (which very possibly could have been avoided by certain segments of law enforcement, e.g., IL State Police and/or the Lake County State’s Attorney office being more pro-active over the last few years). 

Luis Devers (Photo by Stephanie Lynn)

MLB Draft Signing Update

The Cubs appear to have concluded their MLB draft signings yesterday. Two more deals were finalized to bring their total up to 19 signings. The deal for 2nd rounder Jackson Ferris used up all but $5 of the Cubs $10,603,005 bonus pool. They were also able to sign 16th rounder J.P. Wheat. The only unsigned draftee is 19th rounder Brock Blatter, who was always considered a longshot, as he has a strong commitment to University of Alabama with an NLI deal in place there. With no remaining bonus money Blatter will definitely be out of reach. The Cubs will also not be able to offer more than $125K to any undrafted free agents they wish to sign.

#Cubs Draft signing updateYesterday, the team signed Jackson Ferris to a $3.005M deal, equivalent to the slot value of pick 23.16th rounder J.P. Wheat also signed. No bonus figure announced, but the Cubs had just $5 of bonus pool remaining so Wheat’s deal does not exceed 125K. pic.twitter.com/ZFDIYCfGnA

July 30, 2022

For comparison, the top bonuses the Cubs gave out between the 2021 and 2022 Drafts:Horton 4.4MWicks 3.1MFerris 3.0MTriantos 2.1MMulé 1.0MGray 0.9MPaciolla 0.9MC. Franklin 0.4MBirdsell 0.3M

July 30, 2022

AAA

Iowa 5, St. Paul 4 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

The good news: Caleb Kilian was throwing hard, missing bats, and only allowed one run on one hit. The bad: his troubling struggles with control returned, as he walked six batters over four innings. It would have been nice if Kilian would have been ready to replace any of the veteran starters the Cubs end up trading this week, but it appears he may need some more time in Iowa to iron out whatever is causing his issues.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis got the Cubs off to a hot start as each belted 1st inning homers.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis give us a 2-0 lead with these solo shots! pic.twitter.com/MLpqL1K9ZL

July 30, 2022

Iowa would hold a 3-1 lead heading into the 7th, but St. Paul shortstop Jermaine Palacios hit a two-run homer off Cayne Ueckert to tie it. The red hot Narciso Crook would untie in the 8th with a solo home run of his own.

Narciso Crook. Unreal.

Solo homer breaks a 3-3 tie in the 8th to give the @IowaCubs back the lead.

Third homer of the series, fifth homer this week. “

Adds to his career-high with 16 homers this year.

It’s July 29.

July 30, 2022

The back and forth would continue in the 9th as Ben Leeper failed to hold the Cubs one run lead as Palacios came up big again, hitting his second homer. Mervis opened the 10th on 2nd base and would eventually score on a wild pitch. This time, Leeper would finish it off, getting Jake Cave to ground into a double play with the bases loaded to end it.

Top Performers

Dixon Machado: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), R, RBI, BB (.312)Narciso Crook: 1-4, HR (16), R, RBI, BB (.269)Matt Mervis: 1-5, HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.241)John Hicks: 2-4, 2B, R (.254)Caleb Kilian: 4 IP, H, R, 6 BB, 6 K (3.55)Wyatt Short: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K (4.50)

AA

Tennessee 3, Birmingham 2

Game Recap

After failing to make it out of the 1st inning in his first AA start, D.J. Herz came out and pitched… well, like D.J. Herz: Hard to hit, difficult to score on, and effectively wild. He’d earn the win with five good innings. Peyton Remy followed with three shutout frames, as the Tennessee staff worked to make a three-run 5th from the offense hold up. Jeremiah Estrada made it interesting in the 9th, allowing four runners and a run, but wriggled off the hook to close it out.

A 2-RUN SINGLE FROM JAKE SLAUGHTER TO TAKE THE LEAD!! 2-1 Smokies in the bottom of the 5th. pic.twitter.com/HTGdBUzho0

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 5 IP, H, R, 4 BB, 2 HBP, 5 K (W, 1-0, 8.44)Peyton Remy: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (6.91)Andy Weber: 2-3, 2 BB (.297)Bradlee Beesley: 1-2, R, BB, HBP, SB (7) (.234)Jake Slaughter: 1-4, 2 RBI, HBP (.311)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Jake Washer knocked in a run in his first appearance with Tennessee this year. He has added a bunch of strength this year and has all of a sudden emerged as a power hitter, but he’s also strangely played just 4 games at catcher, spending most of his time at DH and 11 games at 1B. I’m not sure if there is an injury that is preventing him from playing behind the plate this year, or if the org has simply determined to move him out of that spot. If so, the added offense is even more imperative.

To make room on the roster, Cam Balego was released.

High-A

South Bend 7, Lake County 6 (10 innings)

Game Recap

Another close game, another extra inning affair.

South Bend stormed out to a 5-1 lead, scoring all five runs in the bottom of the 1st, capped by a run scoring double Luis Verdugo. However, the Captains soon matched the Cubs big inning, putting up five runs of their own in the 3rd inning as Wade Miley ran out of gas in his first rehab outing. Now down a run, the Cubs turned to Luis Devers in a piggyback role, and boy did he deliver. His five shutout innings gave the Cubs an opportunity to tie it up, with Verdugo driving in a run on a ground out in the 6th. Verdugo also helped out with his glove:

Luis Verdugo seems to flash the leather at the hot corner every night!

He took home tonight’s Laven Insurance Defensive Play of the Game. pic.twitter.com/rB2lRWotp0

July 30, 2022

Hunter Bigge took over on the mound in the 9th and finished his strong month of July with another superb outing. The Cubs closer struggled through a rough June, but he was lights out in the early portion of the season and seems to be back on track once again. He tossed a perfect 9th, then a perfect 10th, striking out four batters.

Hunter Bigge looked vicious tonight and has not allowed a run all month pic.twitter.com/NvBP3CYj6w

July 30, 2022

The game ended on a walk off wild pitch which scored Yeison Santana.

Top Performers

Luis Devers: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (0.42)Hunter Bigge: 2IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (W, 5-2, 4.95)B.J. Murray Jr.: 2-3, RBI, BB (.267)Pablo Aliendo: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI (.268)Jordan Nwogu: 2-5, R (.243)Luis Verdugo: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI (.264)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Pablo Aliendo came into today’s game hitting .354 for the month of July. This might be the longest single of the season. pic.twitter.com/aSRefdmz4t

July 29, 2022

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 5, Augusta 2

Game Recap

Leave it to Myrtle Beach to win convincingly. It wasn’t easy, but Tyler Santana won his 8th game as he worked into the 6th, and Johzan Oquendo worked around some traffic to throw three shutout frames.

Ethan Hearn hit his 7th homer.

Ethan Hearn with a HR. pic.twitter.com/nwNsmzkJoT

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

Tyler Santana: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, HBP, 7 K (W, 8-1, 2.37)Johzan Oquendo: 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, HBP, 5 K (4.38)Alfredo Zarraga: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 4, 2.25)Ethan Hearn: 2-4, HR (7), 2 R, 2 RBI (.191)Josue Huma: 2-4, 2B, R, BB (.260)Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, 2B, R (.214)Alejandro Rivero: 1-3, 2B (.267)

ACL

Brewers 10, Cubs 7

DSL

Cubs Blue 3, Mets1 2

Cubs Red 3, Pirates 2

Mark Curran: I think that some of these prosecutors that have taken the Soros money and that are letting everybody out and not prosecuting violent crimes the way they should, that they are a danger to America but by the same token…  

Watch Berkowitz w/Mark Curran (R-Libertyville), GOP nominee for IL S CT 2nd Dist. seat (Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall and DeKalb county voters can vote in this race) in Part 2 of the interview, focusing on crime, bail, guns and the July 4th Highland Park tragedy: Cable or by visiting here:

Tonight (Saturday) in Aurora, 6 pm, Cable Ch. 10 (all Aurora voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)  Tomorrow (Sunday) morning in Chicago, 8:32 am, CH 19 (CAN TV)Monday and Wednesday in Highland Park, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch 19 (all Highland Park voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)Or 24/7 on the internet:

The Dems have a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court, but if the GOP wins the two open seats (2nd and 3rd Districts, both purple) in November, GOP will have the majority on the IL S CT for the 1st time in 60 years.

You can also watch the interview featuring former IL Ass’t Attorney General and current GOP IL Supreme Court 2nd District Nominee Mark Curran by visiting here:

In this week’s Public Affairs show w/Supreme Court candidate and former Lake County prosecutor and sheriff Mark Curran, the discussion turns to Curran’s gut views and gestalt on detention by the courts of defendants prior to trial, skyrocketing crime, guns, the July 4th Highland Park tragic shooting, the IL Firearms Restraining Order Act, and the run-up to that awful July 4th massacre (which very possibly could have been avoided by certain segments of law enforcement, e.g., IL State Police and/or the Lake County State’s Attorney office being more pro-active over the last few years). 

Luis Devers (Photo by Stephanie Lynn)

MLB Draft Signing Update

The Cubs appear to have concluded their MLB draft signings yesterday. Two more deals were finalized to bring their total up to 19 signings. The deal for 2nd rounder Jackson Ferris used up all but $5 of the Cubs $10,603,005 bonus pool. They were also able to sign 16th rounder J.P. Wheat. The only unsigned draftee is 19th rounder Brock Blatter, who was always considered a longshot, as he has a strong commitment to University of Alabama with an NLI deal in place there. With no remaining bonus money Blatter will definitely be out of reach. The Cubs will also not be able to offer more than $125K to any undrafted free agents they wish to sign.

#Cubs Draft signing updateYesterday, the team signed Jackson Ferris to a $3.005M deal, equivalent to the slot value of pick 23.16th rounder J.P. Wheat also signed. No bonus figure announced, but the Cubs had just $5 of bonus pool remaining so Wheat’s deal does not exceed 125K. pic.twitter.com/ZFDIYCfGnA

July 30, 2022

For comparison, the top bonuses the Cubs gave out between the 2021 and 2022 Drafts:Horton 4.4MWicks 3.1MFerris 3.0MTriantos 2.1MMulé 1.0MGray 0.9MPaciolla 0.9MC. Franklin 0.4MBirdsell 0.3M

July 30, 2022

AAA

Iowa 5, St. Paul 4 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

The good news: Caleb Kilian was throwing hard, missing bats, and only allowed one run on one hit. The bad: his troubling struggles with control returned, as he walked six batters over four innings. It would have been nice if Kilian would have been ready to replace any of the veteran starters the Cubs end up trading this week, but it appears he may need some more time in Iowa to iron out whatever is causing his issues.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis got the Cubs off to a hot start as each belted 1st inning homers.

Dixon Machado and Matt Mervis give us a 2-0 lead with these solo shots! pic.twitter.com/MLpqL1K9ZL

July 30, 2022

Iowa would hold a 3-1 lead heading into the 7th, but St. Paul shortstop Jermaine Palacios hit a two-run homer off Cayne Ueckert to tie it. The red hot Narciso Crook would untie in the 8th with a solo home run of his own.

Narciso Crook. Unreal.

Solo homer breaks a 3-3 tie in the 8th to give the @IowaCubs back the lead.

Third homer of the series, fifth homer this week. “

Adds to his career-high with 16 homers this year.

It’s July 29.

July 30, 2022

The back and forth would continue in the 9th as Ben Leeper failed to hold the Cubs one run lead as Palacios came up big again, hitting his second homer. Mervis opened the 10th on 2nd base and would eventually score on a wild pitch. This time, Leeper would finish it off, getting Jake Cave to ground into a double play with the bases loaded to end it.

Top Performers

Dixon Machado: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), R, RBI, BB (.312)Narciso Crook: 1-4, HR (16), R, RBI, BB (.269)Matt Mervis: 1-5, HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.241)John Hicks: 2-4, 2B, R (.254)Caleb Kilian: 4 IP, H, R, 6 BB, 6 K (3.55)Wyatt Short: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K (4.50)

AA

Tennessee 3, Birmingham 2

Game Recap

After failing to make it out of the 1st inning in his first AA start, D.J. Herz came out and pitched… well, like D.J. Herz: Hard to hit, difficult to score on, and effectively wild. He’d earn the win with five good innings. Peyton Remy followed with three shutout frames, as the Tennessee staff worked to make a three-run 5th from the offense hold up. Jeremiah Estrada made it interesting in the 9th, allowing four runners and a run, but wriggled off the hook to close it out.

A 2-RUN SINGLE FROM JAKE SLAUGHTER TO TAKE THE LEAD!! 2-1 Smokies in the bottom of the 5th. pic.twitter.com/HTGdBUzho0

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 5 IP, H, R, 4 BB, 2 HBP, 5 K (W, 1-0, 8.44)Peyton Remy: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (6.91)Andy Weber: 2-3, 2 BB (.297)Bradlee Beesley: 1-2, R, BB, HBP, SB (7) (.234)Jake Slaughter: 1-4, 2 RBI, HBP (.311)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Jake Washer knocked in a run in his first appearance with Tennessee this year. He has added a bunch of strength this year and has all of a sudden emerged as a power hitter, but he’s also strangely played just 4 games at catcher, spending most of his time at DH and 11 games at 1B. I’m not sure if there is an injury that is preventing him from playing behind the plate this year, or if the org has simply determined to move him out of that spot. If so, the added offense is even more imperative.

To make room on the roster, Cam Balego was released.

High-A

South Bend 7, Lake County 6 (10 innings)

Game Recap

Another close game, another extra inning affair.

South Bend stormed out to a 5-1 lead, scoring all five runs in the bottom of the 1st, capped by a run scoring double Luis Verdugo. However, the Captains soon matched the Cubs big inning, putting up five runs of their own in the 3rd inning as Wade Miley ran out of gas in his first rehab outing. Now down a run, the Cubs turned to Luis Devers in a piggyback role, and boy did he deliver. His five shutout innings gave the Cubs an opportunity to tie it up, with Verdugo driving in a run on a ground out in the 6th. Verdugo also helped out with his glove:

Luis Verdugo seems to flash the leather at the hot corner every night!

He took home tonight’s Laven Insurance Defensive Play of the Game. pic.twitter.com/rB2lRWotp0

July 30, 2022

Hunter Bigge took over on the mound in the 9th and finished his strong month of July with another superb outing. The Cubs closer struggled through a rough June, but he was lights out in the early portion of the season and seems to be back on track once again. He tossed a perfect 9th, then a perfect 10th, striking out four batters.

Hunter Bigge looked vicious tonight and has not allowed a run all month pic.twitter.com/NvBP3CYj6w

July 30, 2022

The game ended on a walk off wild pitch which scored Yeison Santana.

Top Performers

Luis Devers: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (0.42)Hunter Bigge: 2IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (W, 5-2, 4.95)B.J. Murray Jr.: 2-3, RBI, BB (.267)Pablo Aliendo: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI (.268)Jordan Nwogu: 2-5, R (.243)Luis Verdugo: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI (.264)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Pablo Aliendo came into today’s game hitting .354 for the month of July. This might be the longest single of the season. pic.twitter.com/aSRefdmz4t

July 29, 2022

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 5, Augusta 2

Game Recap

Leave it to Myrtle Beach to win convincingly. It wasn’t easy, but Tyler Santana won his 8th game as he worked into the 6th, and Johzan Oquendo worked around some traffic to throw three shutout frames.

Ethan Hearn hit his 7th homer.

Ethan Hearn with a HR. pic.twitter.com/nwNsmzkJoT

July 30, 2022

Top Performers

Tyler Santana: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, HBP, 7 K (W, 8-1, 2.37)Johzan Oquendo: 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, HBP, 5 K (4.38)Alfredo Zarraga: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 4, 2.25)Ethan Hearn: 2-4, HR (7), 2 R, 2 RBI (.191)Josue Huma: 2-4, 2B, R, BB (.260)Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, 2B, R (.214)Alejandro Rivero: 1-3, 2B (.267)

ACL

Brewers 10, Cubs 7

DSL

Cubs Blue 3, Mets1 2

Cubs Red 3, Pirates 2

Mark Curran: I think that some of these prosecutors that have taken the Soros money and that are letting everybody out and not prosecuting violent crimes the way they should, that they are a danger to America but by the same token…  

Watch Berkowitz w/Mark Curran (R-Libertyville), GOP nominee for IL S CT 2nd Dist. seat (Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall and DeKalb county voters can vote in this race) in Part 2 of the interview, focusing on crime, bail, guns and the July 4th Highland Park tragedy: Cable or by visiting here:

Tonight (Saturday) in Aurora, 6 pm, Cable Ch. 10 (all Aurora voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)  Tomorrow (Sunday) morning in Chicago, 8:32 am, CH 19 (CAN TV)Monday and Wednesday in Highland Park, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch 19 (all Highland Park voters can vote in the 2nd Dist S CT race)Or 24/7 on the internet:

The Dems have a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court, but if the GOP wins the two open seats (2nd and 3rd Districts, both purple) in November, GOP will have the majority on the IL S CT for the 1st time in 60 years.

You can also watch the interview featuring former IL Ass’t Attorney General and current GOP IL Supreme Court 2nd District Nominee Mark Curran by visiting here:

In this week’s Public Affairs show w/Supreme Court candidate and former Lake County prosecutor and sheriff Mark Curran, the discussion turns to Curran’s gut views and gestalt on detention by the courts of defendants prior to trial, skyrocketing crime, guns, the July 4th Highland Park tragic shooting, the IL Firearms Restraining Order Act, and the run-up to that awful July 4th massacre (which very possibly could have been avoided by certain segments of law enforcement, e.g., IL State Police and/or the Lake County State’s Attorney office being more pro-active over the last few years).