Second Loss of the Spring

The Cubs may have fallen to the Angels in the second battle of the spring season, but there was more to cheer about for the northsiders.

Carlos Zambrano underlined why he is entitled to a big payday this month by tossing two strong innings, giving up only a single hit and striking out four. Bobby Howry pitched a hitless third inning. Newcomer Sean Gallagher threw two solid innings, only allowing two hits and Wil Ohman picked up an “x” in the ninth.

Sounds like a great pitching day for the Cubs, right?

What you are missing are the details of the middle three innings. Neal Cotts made his debut in a Cub uniform on the mound by giving up three runs on four hits, including a two run double to catcher Jose Molina.

Those with good memories will remember that Molina was a 14th round draft pick of the Cubs back in 1993. The Cubs let him go after the 2000 season and he was picked up by the Angels organization in January 2001. Since then he has been a solid backup catcher for the Angels.

The Angels weren’t done with Cub pitching as they teed off against Clay Rapada. Expected to start the season in Iowa, Rapada served up three home run balls. Former Cub Gary Mathews, Jr., Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins each went long, totaling five quick talleys. Angel Guzman came in to finish up the fifth for Rapada and gave up a triple to Tommy Murphy who later scored.

The Cubs were not without some fireworks of their own. Matt Murton went three for three including a solo home run in the second and driving in four runs for the day. Eric Patterson launched a two run homer in the eighth to pull the Cubs within three, but that was there the fun ended.

The final score for the day left the Cubs short, nine runs to six.

Tomorrow, we get look at the projected sixth man in a five man starting rotation for the Cubs, Wade Miller.