Zobrist just trying to help Chicago Cubs win
Chicago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist entered Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 16-game hitting streak, tied for his career best. He also had reached base safely in his previous 35 starts.
He's the first Cub to reach safely in at least 35 starts since Starlin Castro reached in his final 40 starts of 2011.
Zobrist, who just turned 35, had a season line of .351/.452/.538 and was a strong contender for player of the month honors for May.
"He's definitely enjoying the moment here right now," manager Joe Maddon said. "I think there's definitely an adrenaline rush about coming here and playing with this group although he was in a great situation last year, too (winning the World Series with Kansas City).
"I think he's covering a wider variety of pitches offensively, and he's using the whole field more consistently, and he's doing it from both sides of the plate."
Zobrist said he knows it's hard to maintain that kind of production.
"Really, the main thing I've been thinking about is trying to win a championship in Chicago," he said. "Certainly, when you're doing things you haven't done before, it's like, 'Oh, I didn't know I could do that.' You hope you can try to create a longer streak or hit for a higher average or hit for more power.
"At the same time, I know what age I am, so I'm not assuming anything like that. I'm really focusing on helping this team get to where we should be."
Brewers claim Ramirez:
Relief pitcher Neil Ramirez has been claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs designated him for assignment May 21.
Ramirez, 27, appeared in eight games for the Cubs this year with no record, a 4.70 ERA and a WHIP of 1.70. He worked in 50 games in 2014 before shoulder and abdominal ailments limited him to just 19 big-league games last year.
"Great kid, man," Joe Maddon said. "Outstanding, fit in here really well. If he's able to maintain good health and get opportunity, he's going to pitch really well.
"That's what we all wish him, all of that. He's got a great arm. He's got a wipeout slider. Velocity, I guess, came back a little bit. I wasn't here to really see the difference."
Hopeful on Hammel:
The Cubs remain hopeful Jason Hammel can make his next start, this coming weekend against Arizona. Hammel suffered cramping in his right hamstring Monday, and he exited after 2 innings.
Left-hander Travis Wood, a former starter, came in and threw 4 perfect innings. The bullpen as a whole tossed 7 perfect innings Monday.
If Hammel can't go, Joe Maddon said it isn't automatic that Wood would fill in; he said it would be based on how Cubs pitchers match up against Diamondbacks hitters.
Adam Warren, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard are options to start, in addition to Wood.