Athletics 15, Cubs 7: Remember, It's Still February

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:13 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

After the first two innings of today's first Cubs spring training game, in which the Cubs got the first five men on base, scored four runs and had two hitless innings from Carlos Zambrano, the season looked bright!

After the next two innings, in which Matt Garza gave up a grand slam to Coco Crisp and five runs overall -- not so much.

The Cubs lost to the Athletics 15-7 on a day on which the reported game time temperature in Mesa was an un-spring-training-like 49 degrees. As Pat Hughes said late in the radio broadcast, of course baseball players want to win every game. But after the first half of this game, the major league players were pretty much given the rest of the day off, and the deficit was given largely by Justin Berg -- who isn't likely to make the major league roster, and whose ERA stands at 189.00 after he faced eight batters, got only one of them out, and all seven others scored.

That's the bad. Here's the good: Carlos Marmol had a scoreless inning before the A's major leaguers left for the afternoon; Alfonso Soriano had a pair of singles and a double and both Kosuke Fukudome and Marlon Byrd added a pair of hits. As far as Garza is concerned, he may have been a little nervous for his first outing in a Cubs uniform. He got what Carrie Muskat tweeted as "his 1st hit ever, including Grapefruit League games", and got the ball as a souvenir. (In regular season interleague games, Garza is 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts.)

The other good news was the smooth debut of Keith Moreland as Pat Hughes' partner on WGN radio. All of us will miss Ron Santo, but Moreland fits right in, and of course, Pat is a true professional who was able to bring Keith into the action as if he'd always been there. Moreland did an inning of play-by-play -- what a refreshing change from hearing THE SHOUTING OF JUDD SIROTT. I hope they stick with this plan.

Attendance was 6,892, only about half capacity, not really surprising given the cold weather. We'll see if it increases tomorrow, when Randy Wells will face the Brewers at Mesa. It's the Brewers' first spring action, a split-squad game for them, which means the Cubs won't see a lot of Milwaukee regulars, since their other game is at their home in Maryvale. Tim Dillard will start for the Brewers.

Tweet Comment 85 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We rep-ed hard, and i respect that.

Screw the haters. It's Cutler time.

by lexmarklover on Feb 27, 2011 5:18 PM CST reply actions

No love for Castro?

2 for 3 a stolen base and no errors.

Turrrible game for Colvin too

by Mitchener on Feb 27, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions

Remember, it's spring training for me, too.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

Nice to see out of Castro

GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.

by shoemile on Feb 27, 2011 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

While its just spring training

these titles look all 2 familiar coming from you Al.

Its only……

Did you guys hear about the new Lebron James Iphone?
You have to keep it on vibrate because it has no rings.

by Rudey on Feb 27, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions

It was good to hear baseball again!

"I f***ing hate the Eagles, man!" - The Dude

by teacher tom on Feb 27, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions

The Marlins lost...

to a college team

by Adam U on Feb 27, 2011 5:20 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Even worse, Mike Stanton was hurt in the game.

Baseball is back!!

by cowsarecool220 on Feb 27, 2011 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

Wow.

Now that’s a bad start to spring training.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

anything serious?

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

HAHAHA The U knocks off the Fish!

Keep that Q Train rollin' in '11. Let's win it for Ronnie.

by mikegncb34 on Feb 27, 2011 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

Here's the Brewer's lineup for tomorrow

via Adam McCalvy, Brewers beat writer for MLB.com:

Carlos Gomez CF
Craig Counsell SS
Ryan Braun LF
Mark Kotsay 1B
Luis Cruz 2B
Wil Nieves C
Erick Almonte DH
Caleb Gindl RF
Zelous Wheeler 3B

Tim Dillard RHP

Baseball is back!!

by cowsarecool220 on Feb 27, 2011 5:20 PM CST reply actions

Zelous Wheeler sounds like

a GM for a minor league team in basketball.

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

John Sickels

has some sort of running joke about Zelous Wheeler…it’s up there among my new favorite minor league names, with Rougned Odor

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 27, 2011 7:43 PM CST up reply actions

Poor Rebel Ridling.

We still have Austin Bibens-Dirkx, though.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

What's a "Caleb Gindl"?

Is that anything like a “Caleb Hanie”?

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

Weird

Weird both teams are NL and they’re using a DH.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

I hope this does not mean the NL is adopting the DH.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

State high point count: 3/50

If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 27, 2011 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

Using it in spring training games? No.

But it still could happen.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2011 7:27 AM CST up reply actions

Really like Z's numbers today.

Let’s hope he keeps it up!

Listening to Chicago Cubs baseball today was just awesome :)…oh, how I’ve missed it. Can’t wait to be at Wrigley on May 15!

Although part of me wants to grab a ticket and drive back for Opening Day this year, but I haven’t decided yet…I’ve never been to a game by myself before so I’m not sure if it’s awkward, lame, etc…. thoughts?

Keep that Q Train rollin' in '11. Let's win it for Ronnie.

by mikegncb34 on Feb 27, 2011 5:21 PM CST reply actions

I went to one game by myself last year......

…Plus its opening day so I say go for it!

by JDawg84 on Feb 27, 2011 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

Go - you buying a ticket could be the difference between a horrific disaster of epic proportions and a sellout! ;-)

Seriously, yeah, you might be going to the game by yourself, but it’s the Cubs, it’s Opening Day and it’s Wrigley Field – you won’t be “alone” for very long; soon you’ll be surround by friends you just haven’t met yet.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 27, 2011 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

I've been to a couple games by myself.

It was fun in a different way. Was able to pay much more attention to the game itself without the family/friends distracting me. Selfishly, I found it kinda nice to be able to wander around taking pictures and eat/drink what/where I wanted without having to worry about what everyone else wanted to do. Hmmm… I guess I still haven’t forgiven my son for missing one of Colvin’s home runs while waiting in a concession line to buy him a brat.

So I’d say go and enjoy yourself. Not lame at all.

"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Feb 28, 2011 7:37 AM CST up reply actions

After Sandberg retired the first time, he was at the game for the "Walk of Fame" induction

No one wanted to go to the game at the last minute, so I went by myself.

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 28, 2011 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

South Carolina CF Jackie Bradley, Jr

Homered today. If you don’t care about potential Cubs first rounders, you’ll have to tune out my comments.

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Ive got a new title for this thread

Cubs hit an Ice BERG

by Mitchener on Feb 27, 2011 5:23 PM CST reply actions

Cubs Ship sunk by an Ice Berg

by Mitchener on Feb 27, 2011 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

I need spring training, too.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

moreland did great, but play by play? god no.

That inning was pure torture. I’m sure he’ll get better as the spring goes along though. I really appreciated the analysis.

by mdcubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 5:24 PM CST reply actions

Compared to Judd Sirott, he was great at PBP.

Of course, just about any random fan pulled out of the stands would be better than Judd Sirott.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

15 mins of static and a test pattern

would be better…

R.I.P. Ronnie Santo... you will be missed...

by Endrick on Feb 27, 2011 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

A test pattern on radio?

I’d like to see that.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Feb 27, 2011 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

.

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Feb 27, 2011 5:44 PM CST up reply actions

Judd does scream doesn't he

I was thinking I was the only one who noticed Judd’s screaming,,..

by byrdi68 on Feb 27, 2011 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

Al

Al I think either of my nephews might be better than Sirrott and they are 2 and a half and 17 months old.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 7:08 PM CST up reply actions

They can probably scream as loud.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

And I hope that they stick with that plan as well. Although my husband suggested that Moreland may have only done it because Judd wasn’t down there so I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Feb 28, 2011 7:41 AM CST up reply actions

I thought he did fine

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Feb 28, 2011 7:15 AM CST up reply actions

I thought he was better at PxP

Than Hughes was at color commentary — which I found a bit surprising. After thinking about it, though, Pat isn’t used to doing that.

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 28, 2011 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

Moreland was very enjoyable to listen to.

eastcoastcubs.blogspot.com

by EamusCatuli3818 on Feb 27, 2011 5:40 PM CST reply actions

Good to see the regulars get off to a good start. I think the team will surprise a few

folks this year. Baseball is here!

Sorry to hear about Duke Snider. He was a class act and a really good announcer. He was a star in his prime and was vastly underrated because he was in the shadows of Mantle and Mays, but he was a good one. Rest in peace Duke, you’ve earned it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Feb 27, 2011 5:48 PM CST reply actions

Caption:

“Just remember, a little dab will do ya”

"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.

by eswan9 on Feb 27, 2011 6:13 PM CST reply actions

Caption:

“I know you want the face paint like NFL players. Here you go.”

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

State high point count: 3/50

If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 27, 2011 6:16 PM CST reply actions

"Optimistic Al" is at it again

“only” February? Al, Games in February count just as much as games in March! (Except March 31 this season.) You’re just sticking your head in the sand as the Cubs are well on their way to yet another season without a Cactus League Championship.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 27, 2011 6:20 PM CST reply actions

Hendry needs to be on the phone today

trying to move Garza before he loses all his value.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 27, 2011 6:55 PM CST up reply actions

Chirnos drove in four the other day.

With a PH HR today.

Uh-oh.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Feb 27, 2011 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

I think they're already

writing folk songs about Chirinos over at DRays Bay.

(sniff)

by Josh Timmers on Feb 28, 2011 12:38 AM CST up reply actions

Note to TJ:

This is how sarcasm works.

by bikemonkey on Feb 27, 2011 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

that's harsh

He's my Hossa
HO-HO-HO-HO-HOSSA

by jesus christos on Feb 27, 2011 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

And he did it without exclamation points.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

Well, that one little exclamation point was hard to see

"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk

by vonde6 on Feb 27, 2011 10:36 PM CST up reply actions

I guess you should have sent the note to azjazzman, as well.

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 28, 2011 5:52 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Hey Josh

do you happen to remember who had the best record in the Cactus League in 2010?

by azjazzman on Feb 28, 2011 1:07 AM CST up reply actions

Judd's doing Blackhawks game.

Enjoy Moreland while he lasts. Enjoy the 5th innings of Cubs radio

by braziliancubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 6:24 PM CST reply actions

Is Carlos Pena the first Cubs player to have...

…the thing above his name? I have no idea what it’s called.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Feb 27, 2011 6:52 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Called a tilde...

Sometimes I scare myself.

"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous

by Easy Ed on Feb 27, 2011 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

And yes, I think Peña is the first Cub to have a tilde.

⬆ Note appropriate use of tilde above. ⬆

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:28 PM CST up reply actions

I'm looking forward to when

all computer passwords need a tilde or andpersand

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

Or ampersand, even.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

&&&&&

&&&&&&&&

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

State high point count: 3/50

If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 27, 2011 9:26 PM CST up reply actions

What about an umlaut...

any Cub ever have one of those in his name?

by MillsChC on Feb 27, 2011 9:49 PM CST up reply actions

There *was Hippö Vaughn..

but they changed it in the record books so he didn’t look like a Kaiser-loving Kraut during the Great War.

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Feb 27, 2011 11:47 PM CST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure that Luis Quinoñes did, too.

Although I might have it in the wrong spot.

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 27, 2011 10:51 PM CST up reply actions

Moreland

I didn’t listen to the entire game by any means, but Moreland needs to learn how to let Pat finish a thought before chiming in. There are a few instances where Pat was talking and Keith seemed to want to finish his thought. There were just a few moments (particularly when Pat was discussing the passing of Santo) when I was thinking to myself “shut up Keith, let Pat finish his thought”.

I know, it was the first of hopefully many games together for the two and it will take some time for the back and forth to develop, but if there is one thing that perhaps that should be mentioned to Keith is to not talk over Pat.

by dmlichte on Feb 27, 2011 6:56 PM CST reply actions

It takes time to get broadcast timing down.

Give ’em more than one game.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

I agree...

… and I said that it will take some time for them to develop chemistry. Just my initial reaction from game one. Keith was prob nervous moving into the big chair for the full time, but someone needs to tell him to let Pat finish his thoughts before chiming in.

by dmlichte on Feb 27, 2011 8:40 PM CST up reply actions

I'm sure they had some postmortems.....

… and discussed that, among other things.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

Nope - DFA Moreland!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 27, 2011 8:56 PM CST up reply actions

heh

call up Judd

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 9:06 PM CST up reply actions

It was good

It was good to hear Cubs baseball on the radio despite the outcome. Loved seeing Z get off to a good start!

You know I’ll be tuning in tomorrow because someone is gong to be pitching in the game. Some guy named Harry Good or something like that :).

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 7:09 PM CST reply actions

I thought his name was "Very Good".

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

State high point count: 3/50

If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 27, 2011 7:27 PM CST up reply actions

Caption:

You missed a spot with the napkin….did you have corn on the cob for lunch?

By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.

by VegasCubFan on Feb 27, 2011 7:21 PM CST reply actions

The broadcast

I thought they did a very good job and it helps that this wasn’t their first time working together.

I did hear some of Keith’s games last year and in one of my internet groups we have 3 big Texas fans and they told me they loved him and were mad the Cubs had stolen him.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Feb 27, 2011 7:22 PM CST reply actions

A quick note from HoHoKam today

at 11am it was snowing/sleeting! The sun came out for good after the game started and actually got warmer on the berm. A little breezy, but a fun afternoon to have my first Old Style and pork chop sandwichof the year lol

Z looked good, so did Sori at the dish. After Garza gave up the grand slam, didn’t pay too much attention. Left after the 5th.

In talking with some of the folks that attended the D Backs home opener in their new field, nothing but rave reviews. Hope to catch a couple of games up there.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 27, 2011 7:55 PM CST reply actions

I'll be at the game there on the 13th.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 8:30 PM CST up reply actions

I'll be @ work

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 27, 2011 8:57 PM CST up reply actions

I'll see you on the lawn at Mesa.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

I attended the opening at Salt River Fields

and it is flat-out amazing. It easily sets the bar for ST complexes. They absolutely got it right, down to the last detail.

Al won’t like it, though. If yesterday was any indication, SRF, like Camelback Ranch, has a long ways to go to work out the kinks of traffic flow and parking.

However, also like Camelback Ranch, there are alternate ways to get to the ballpark to avoid all the snarls and parking mess.

by azjazzman on Feb 28, 2011 1:16 AM CST up reply actions

Caption

“Fernando, your U-Tube video was hilarious. Can I have your autograph?”

by toppsmike on Feb 27, 2011 8:31 PM CST reply actions

Caption,

Now you’ll look as cool as the guy we trained to hit.

by timh815 on Feb 27, 2011 9:07 PM CST reply actions

We're freaking done!

Trade everyone for prospects and fire Quade!

#10 You will be missed.

by Bricks and Ivy on Feb 27, 2011 9:16 PM CST reply actions

Is Kerry Wood gonna pitch tomorrow??

Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!

by Chanman25 on Feb 27, 2011 9:50 PM CST reply actions

Don't know....

… but I assume it will be soon.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2011 7:28 AM CST up reply actions

I don't care what the score is... Cubs are back on the air!

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. -J.R.R. Tolkien

by Emelie on Feb 27, 2011 10:25 PM CST reply actions

Just got the MLB at bat app for the season the other day

So I am real excited to try that puppy out at work. Also good to see the player I have a game worn jersey for is pitching for the Brewers tomorrow. Most random luck ever from a Cubs/Brewers jersey ever. If only the Cubs winning could be random luck I have at Miller Park…

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Feb 27, 2011 11:38 PM CST reply actions