Spring Training Game Thirty-One: Cubs (16-11-3) vs. Rockies (16-12-2)
Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Carlos Silva (2-1, 4.96/1.47) vs. Jeff Francis (0-1, 7.27/1.67)
Weather permitting … The Cubs play their last game of the spring at HoHoKam Park this afternoon. Following today’s game, the Cubs have only two exhibition games remaining on the 2010 Spring Training schedule. Lou Piniella’s crew will face the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
It’s the last day of camp for the Chicago Cubs … Carlos Silva is scheduled to throw three or four innings this afternoon in his sixth start of the spring. Silva has made a lot of improvement since his first outing against the White Sox back on March 6.
In five Cactus League starts, Silva has allowed nine runs, all earned, on 21 hits in 16 1/3 innings. Silva has hit a batter, walked two and struck out 10.
The Rockies will send Jeff Francis to the hill to begin the game. Francis has struggled a little this spring but has shown improvement each time out.
Today will be Francis’ sixth start … in five games, Francis has allowed 16 runs, 14 earned, on 20 hits with seven walks, 11 strikeouts and he’s hit two batters in 17 1/3 innings.
Finally, a hat tip goes out to Tim Sheridan, the P.A. announcer at HoHoKam Park. Tim runs the website Boys of Spring and once again this spring provided excellent posts from Mesa.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …