Weekend Thoughts

This weekend I fortunately missed most of the Cubs play, spending my time with extended family and playing some golf. While the big club stunk like a rotten egg, there were a few things of note in the minors that are worth mentioning. You know what that means, get ready to dodge, here come the bullets:

• Felix Pie has raised his average a few points by going 4-13 over the weekend. One of the most disappointing stats for the speedy Pie is his 4-12 stolen base success on the season.
  
• Mark Pawalek made his 2nd start of the season going a less than stellar 4 innings giving up 3 ER, 6 hits, 1 walk, and only striking out one.
• Yesterday, JR Mathes pitched a complete game shutout for the Diamond Jaxx giving up just 4 hits, no walks, and striking out 4. The win moved Mathes to 7-4 on the year and dropped his ERA to 2.97.
• Since being named to the Futures Game, Eric Patterson has raised his average from the low 280s to now .296.
  
• Two players, Jake Fox and Sean Gallagher, are making the transition to AA West Tennessee nicely. Fox is now hitting 333/375/667 in 5 games with 2 doubles and a HR. On Friday, Gallagher moved to 2-0 since being called up by going 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 ER, 6 walks, and striking out 6. Gallagher is 6-0 combined on the season with a combined ERA of 2.32.

Notes: Over at Bleed Cubbie Blue, someone posted their notes from a visit to see the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx play, it is worth a look; Over at MinorLeagueBall.com, John Sickels is reviewing his preseason top 20s and just recently reviewed the Cubs system.