Cactus League-Spring Training

Spring Training Game Four - Cubs 5 Brewers 12
WP - Yovani Gallardo (1-0) LP - Carlos Silva (0-1) Save - None

Wednesday was a beautiful day for baseball that soon turned ugly for the Chicago Cubs ... both on the field and in the dugout.

The game started on a positive note. Kosuke Fukudome (1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored) led off with a walk and scored on the Cubs' first home run of the spring ... a two-run shot to left center off the bat of Starlin Castro (2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI). Castro worked the count and drove the ball with authority against one of the best young pitchers in the NL in Yovani Gallardo. But the feel-good start did not last long.

Carlos Silva took the hill in the bottom of the first and it all went downhill from there. Silva was horrible and the defense behind him was worse. Silva walked Craig Counsell to start the game then served up a two-run homer to Luis Cruz on the first pitch of the at bat.

Silva retired Ryan Braun before the Cubs defense fell apart. Prince Fielder reached second on a pop up into shallow left that clanked off Aramis Ramirez's glove. Prince hustled into second and scored on the first of two home runs on the day by Casey McGehee.

Casey McGehee (3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI) continues sticking to the team that never gave him a shot.

The Cubs defense committed two more errors in the first to run their spring total to 12, at the time. Silva ended up allowing six runs, three earned, on three hits with a walk in his inning of work. Silva labored through the 34-pitch inning (19 strikes) as the Brewers batted around.

After the inning, Silva reportedly exploded in the dugout and exchanged words with Aramis Ramirez. Silva's day was over ... and so were the Cubs. Silva took the long walk across the field to the Cubs' bus as Jay Jackson jogged in from the bullpen.

The Cubs played another sloppy game and had trouble throwing strikes. The "defense" and that word should be used loosely, committed five more errors to run their spring total to 14. 14 errors in four games and there could have been more.

Q's crew appears lackadaisical on the field. And while it is "only" Spring Training, the three teams the Cubs have faced seem a lot more focused on using the exhibition games as a tune-up for the regular season.

Spring Training Game Three - Cubs 3 Giants 2
WP - Todd Wellemeyer (1-0) LP - Madison Bumgarner (0-1, BS 1) Save - Esmailin Caridad (1)

The Cubs put one in the win column ... on the third game, behind a three-run inning, against Madison Bumgarner in his third inning of work and Esmailin Caridad saved the exhibition game, Caridad wears number 33. The big negative from Tuesday also involved the number three, the Cubs "defense" committed three more errors.

Both managers ran out a majority of their regulars Tuesday afternoon, which is a rarity early in the spring. Tim Lincecum dominated the Cubs in his three innings of work, while Ryan Dempster did more than just get his work in.

Ryan Dempster made his first appearance of the spring. Dempster worked three innings, the first Cubs' pitcher to go three innings. Dempster threw the ball well and even worked around the lack of defense behind him. Dempster retired the Giants in order in the first on just seven pitches, six for strikes, but ran into problems in the second after falling behind to Pablo Sandoval.

Dempster threw 19 pitches in the second, 12 for strikes, and gave up a run on two hits. Dempster pitched around the Cubs' eighth error of the spring in the third and did not give up any runs. Dempster threw 15 pitches in the third, nine for strikes. Dempster's final line from Tuesday: one run on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts on 41 pitches, 27 for strikes.

The Cubs bullpen put together a solid afternoon in Scottsdale. Todd Wellemeyer picked up the spring win after throwing two innings of shutout ball. Casey Coleman, Jeff Stevens and Scott Maine did their jobs ... with mixed results. And Esmailin Caridad survived his command issues, along with a great catch by Jim Adduci in right, to pick up the save.

The Cubs offense was overmatched by Tim Lincecum for the first three innings. The Cubs managed only one baserunner of Lincecum. Starlin Castro reached on a throwing error by Miguel Tejada but was picked off first by Buster Posey.

The Cubs first hit came in the fourth and they finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth. Kosuke Fukudome (1-for-3 with a run scored) and Starlin Castro (2-for-3 with a run scored) set the table for Marlon Byrd (2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored) and Aramis Ramirez (1-for-3 with a double and two RBI).

Byrd drove in Fukudome with a single to left center to tie the game ... and Ramirez gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead with a double down the left field line. Byrd slid in safe ahead of a relay throw by Mike Fontenot. Mike Quade was the first to greet Castro and Byrd after they scored.

Mike Quade must figure out a way to improve his defense. The Cubs committed three more errors Tuesday (one each by Blake DeWitt, Starlin Castro and Bobby Scales). In three games, the Cubs have been credited with nine errors, but they have misplayed more balls than the nine errors they've been given.

Tuesday was a good day for the Cubs, after all a win is a win, no matter if it counts or not. But they have to start making the routine plays in the field.

The Cubs took the field for the second time of the spring Monday afternoon. Q's crew was able to get work in before, during and after the game.

Tyler Colvin took more grounders at first and the team was able to take a little BP before the first pitch. Randy Wells, Andrew Cashner, Jay Jackson, Kerry Wood, John Gaub, Chris Carpenter and Sean Marshall warmed up in the pen before entering the game.

Here are a few videos from Monday at HoHoKam Park ...

Spring Training Game Two - Cubs 3 Brewers (ss) 5
WP - Tim Dillard (1-0) LP - Andrew Cashner (0-1, BS 1) Save - Brian Garman (1)

Monday was a beautiful day at HoHoKam Park and Q's crew responded with a better effort in front of a very small crowd of 5,405. The Cubs once again struggled with their defense and pitching plus on Monday they could not buy a hit with runners in scoring position. Again, wins and losses are not important in the spring but execution is and after the second game it is clear to see the Cubs have a lot of work to do.

Randy Wells had a good outing and threw the ball well. Wells kept the Brewers off the board but more importantly he hit his spots. The Cubs defense did not help Wells but unlike last year, Wells did not let the miscues impact his outing. Wells threw 26 pitches in his two innings of work, 16 went for strikes. Wells ended his day by striking out Caleb Gindl swinging on a nice changeup.

Andrew Cashner and Kerry Wood pitched better than their results. Cashner allowed two runs on three hits with a walk, a wild pitch and a wild pick off attempt in his two innings of work. After his outing Cashner said, "Today was fun. My stuff was good, it just didn't go where I wanted." The Brewers jumped on Cashner's first pitch for a majority of his outing and Cashner did not miss his spots by much. Cashner threw 23 pitches in the third, 15 for strikes. Cashner settled down in the fourth and threw 19 pitches, 10 for strikes.

After receiving a standing ovation as he jogged in from the bullpen, Kerry Wood threw strikes and both of his strikeouts came on his breaking ball. The Brewers were very aggressive against Wood and jumped on the first pitch. Wood was tagged for two runs on three hits with two strikeouts and a wild pitch in an inning of work. Wood threw 19 pitches, 13 for strikes.

Of all the relievers Mike Quade used Monday, Jay Jackson was the most impressive. Jackson threw strikes (10 out of 13 pitches) and if not for Jeff Baker losing a pop up in the sun, he would have retired the Brewers in order. Jackson faced Triple-A hitters but showed an ability to throw strikes and appeared confident on the mound. The Cubs should use him against Major League hitters to see how he responds.

Chris Carpenter, John Gaub and Sean Marshall each threw an inning. Marshall sat down the backend of the Brewers' roster in order thanks to a nice tumbling catch by Fernando Perez in right center.

Reed Johnson (2-for-3 with a run scored), Tyler Colvin (1-for-2 with a triple and a RBI), Alfonso Soriano (1-for-3 with a double and a run scored), Welington Castillo (2-for-2 with a run scored) and Scott Moore (2-for-3 with a RBI) led the Cubs offense. As a whole, the team struggled again with runners in scoring position, especially with two outs. The Cubs refuse to change their approach at the plate and they finished the game 2-for-15 with RISP. The Cubs left 12 on base and eight of them came with two outs.

The Cubs suited up for the first time Sunday afternoon at HoHoKam Park. Several members of the 2011 Cubs made their debut in blue pinstripes, including Matt Garza and Carlos Pena.

Here is original video shot by the CCO from Sunday's game against the Oakland A's ...

Spring Training Game One - Cubs 7 A's 15
WP - Joey Devine (1-0) LP - Matt Garza (0-1) Save - None

The Cubs Cactus League opener didn't go exactly the way Mike Quade had hoped. On a cold, windy day in Mesa, the Cubs jumped out to an early lead behind Carlos Zambrano but the Cubs played from behind from the fourth inning on.

The offense looked sharp in the first inning and chased Trevor Cahill from the game. Kosuke Fukudome (0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored) led off with a walk and advanced to third on a bloop single to right by Starlin Castro (2-for-3 with a run scored). Marlon Byrd (2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI) drove in the first run of the spring with a solid single to right field. Aramis Ramirez (1-for-3 with a RBI) plated Castro with a single to center. After Carlos Pena (0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored) grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice, Alfonso Soriano (3-for-3 with a double and two RBI) ripped a double into the left field corner. Byrd and Pena scored, 4-0 Cubs ... that would end up being the bulk of the highlights for Q's crew.

Alfonso Soriano looked very comfortable at the plate. Soriano was patient and did not walk to the plate swinging.

Carlos Zambrano was incredibly sharp in his two innings of work but the same could not be said for Matt Garza.

Z faced the minimum in his two innings. He stuck out the first two batters he faced and retired the side in order on just nine pitches in the first. Zambrano walked Kurt Suzuki to start the second. Z kept the ball down to Andy LaRoche and induced a 4-6-3 double play, that was nicely turned by DeWitt and Castro. Z retired Matt Carson to end his day.

Matt Garza, and the rest of the Cubs pitchers with the exception of Carlos Marmol, did not fare as well as Zambrano. Garza gave up the A's first two hits of the game in the third then walked the bases loaded ahead of Coco Crisp. Crisp deposited a 0-1 pitch into the A's bullpen beyond the right field wall to tie the game. Garza gave up another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Eric Sogard. Garza's line for Sunday: five runs on five hits, a walk, a strikeout and one big grand slam.

The rest of the Cubs staff was shaky at best with the exception of Carlos Marmol. Justin Berg, who figures to be on the outside looking in when the season begins, was horrible. Berg gave up seven runs, all earned, on six hits in a third of an inning of work.

The Cubs showed signs of good baseball Sunday but for the most part the team looked as cold in all three phases as the weather they were playing in.

The Spring Training games finally began over the weekend with both positive and not so positive results ... plus a few injuries. It was good to see the Cubs back on the field and to be in a ballpark again.

There was a different vibe around the team over the weekend. The players appeared to be working hard, but with upbeat attitudes and smiles on their faces ... last spring they seemed to just be going through the motions.

Unlike the regular season, Spring Training is not about winning or losing it is how they play the game. Here are a few first hand observations, news and notes from Mesa and video, including Casey Coleman's bullpen session, from the first two Spring Training games.

Game Three - Cubs 3 White Sox (ss) 15
WP - Daniel Hudson (1-0) LP - Carlos Silva (0-1) Save - None

Lou Piniella's crew dropped their first game of the spring on Saturday afternoon after a horrible start by Carlos Silva. Silva dug a hole for his new team and the White Sox kept tacking on throughout the game.

Carlos Quentin hit two of the Sox five home runs in the first two innings, both off Silva. Cubs pitching allowed 18 hits and the Sox scored seven of the 15 runs in the final two innings off of non-roster invitee Jeff Kennard and John Grabow.

Carlos Marmol settled down after a rocky start and put together a perfect inning in his first outing of the spring. Marmol struck out a pair on 13 pitches, 10 for strikes.

James Russell took over for Marmol in the fourth. Russell threw the ball extremely well, hit his spots and struck out two with a walk in two innings of work. Alfonso Soriano's error allowed an unearned run to score while Russell was on the mound.

The Cubs offense was pretty quiet in the third game of the spring. They managed only three runs, all in the third inning, off of White Sox starter Daniel Hudson ... for the game, the Cubs scattered only six hits.

With the bases loaded, Kosuke Fukudome drove in a pair with a single to right. The Cubs other run came courtesy of a Derrek Lee sacrifice fly.

Two of the concerns at the beginning of camp were pitching and defense ... and the Cubs showed why on Saturday afternoon.

Game Two - Cubs 8 Diamondbacks 7
WP - Justin Berg (1-0) LP - Esmerling Vasquez (0-1) Save - None

Friday afternoon at HoHoKam Park could have been a look into the future of the Chicago Cubs. Three of the Cubs' last four number one draft picks were in the starting lineup along with top prospect Starlin Castro ... and the young Cubs did not disappoint.

Brett Jackson (1-for-1 with a triple, a run scored, hit by a pitch and two walks), Josh Vitters (2-for-4 with two runs scored) and Tyler Colvin (2-for-3 with a double and two RBI) held their own against a Diamondbacks lineup that featured a majority of their everyday players.

Starlin Castro continued to impress and turned in a pair of hits, including a ground rule double, in four trips to the plate. Castro played a solid, but not spectacular short while showing off his speed on the bases once again.

Brad Snyder (2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI) delivered the game winner in the bottom of the ninth. A walk-off two run double off the batter's eye in center that just missed leaving the park. Snyder scored a run in the Cubs' two-run eighth that helped tie the game.

While it is just Spring Training, it is good to see the kids play to their hype.

Carlos Zambrano started the game and was very sharp in his first action of the spring. Zambrano tossed two perfect innings with a strikeout. Big Z kept the ball down, inducing four groundball outs and threw 28 pitches, 18 for strikes.

Casey Coleman took over for Zambrano in the third. Other than a long double by Chris Young, Coleman's spring debut was a success. Coleman hit his spots, featured a very good change up and retired six of the seven batters he faced in his two innings of work.

It is always a good day when the Cubs win a ballgame, no matter if it counts or not.

Game One - Cubs 9 A's 3
WP - Randy Wells (1-0) LP - Trevor Cahill (0-1) Save - None

The first game of the long exhibition season was a successful one for the Chicago Cubs. Not only did the Cubs' offense hit five home runs and pound out 16 hits but several of the young Cubs had impressive afternoons.

Randy Wells was very sharp. He retired all six batters he faced, throwing only 25 pitches in two perfect innings. Tyler Colvin got the start in place of Alfonso Soriano in left. Colvin hit the ball with authority and finished the afternoon 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a long homer over the right center field wall.

Derrek Lee, Marlon Byrd, Brad Snyder and Sam Fuld each homered on a beautiful afternoon with the wind blowing out at HoHoKam Park.

Starlin Castro made his debut on Thursday. He finished 1-for-3 with a triple and played a solid game in the field. Castro's reputation preceded him ... he is a smooth fielder with a strong accurate arm. Castro caught the last out of the day, a pop up to short ... a fitting end to the Cubs' first Spring Training game.