No Win, No Loss

The Cubs did not lose in their third spring outing. They did not win either.

The Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs battled to a five-five tie today. There are several bright spots to remember during the days when sitting under the beating sun August.

We got our first glimpse of Jeff Samardzija. He looked good in one inning. No strikeouts but no hits or walks either. Ryan Dempster had a K and a walk, but gave up no hits either. Rocky Cherry, who looked good earlier this week, gave up both a hit and a walk, but still struck out the side.

What everyone wants to know is how did Wade Miller look? Wade Miller is the starting pitcher the Cubs have no room for, if everyone is healthy. Miller did not embarrass himself in his first outing of the spring. On the good side, he struck out two. On the poor side, he gave up a single run on a double by non-roster invitee Travis Buck.

On sadder notes, Ryan O’Malley and Carlos Marmol each gave up a pair of runs. If either wants a shot at the opening day roster (fat chance), they need to impress each time they toe the rubber.

Today was baserunning drills at Phoenix Memorial Stadium. All eyes were agog as Felix Pie grabbed two bases, while Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan and Michael Barrett (yes, the catcher Michael Barrett), each found one. No one was thrown out today by the A’s backstops. In the tenth inning, the A’s returned the favor as another non-roster invitee, Kevin Melillo, took second from Iowa batterymates Les Walrond and Geovany Sota.

Ronny Cedeno had two hits today, including a first inning solo homer. Michael Barrett contributed an inside-the-park shot if his own in the sixth, also picking up a double for the day. Ryan Theriot tripled and scored while Jacque Jones, Buck Coats and non-roster Tomas Perez each contributed a RBI.

Overall, the Cubs did enough hitting to bring their first win to the board, but inexperienced pitching let it slip by, but only enough for a tie. It is not great news, but it is still spring.

Now the pressure is on. The Cubs really want their first spring win and they are facing their arch-nemesis Chicago White Sox. Rich Hill will start against former Cub farmhand Jon Garland. It will be the first of many spring games on television tomorrow, so be certain to tune in and see.