Royals 5, Cubs 4: Another Day, Another Blown Lead

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2011 5:11 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

This was supposed to be a happy recap of a Cubs victory, led by Tyler Colvin, who played well at first base and went three-for-three with three RBI and hit a single, double and home run.

Instead, this is yet another loss, dropping the Cubs' spring record to 1-5, 5-4 to the Royals after John Gaub walked the bases loaded and then gave up a grand slam to 21-year-old KC prospect Eric Hosmer.

This is fine, actually. Gaub didn't have much of a chance to make the team and after an outing like this, that may make cutting him that much easier. And this is why losing this game, while not good, doesn't mean much -- these guys won't be there come April 1. Still, winning a few would feel better than losing.

Meanwhile, Matt Garza made his first start of the spring and was probably supposed to go three innings but had to leave after taking a line drive off his midsection. Instead, he was taken out after two, just before he was likely to bat. He made some comments later that indicated he was fine; in a regular season game he might have been allowed to continue, but there's no real need to do that in a game like this one.

Other than Gaub, the rest of the staff did pretty well, although Sean Marshall was touched up for the run that turned out to be the game-winner for the Royals. Kerry Wood threw a scoreless inning, as did Jeff Samardzija and Alberto Cabrera. For the Cubs, Starlin Castro went 1-for-3; his spring average stands at .583.

And for the first time this spring, the Cubs played an errorless game. (Cue the Hallelujah Chorus.)

Attendance watch: only 5,626 saw this game on a near-perfect, near-80 degree day. Other games in the Valley: Tempe, 5,103; Scottsdale, 8,857; Phoenix, 4,448; Peoria, 6,292; Goodyear, 2,529; and Salt River, 11,469. So some parks, particularly the two in Scottsdale (where Salt River is located), drew better today.

Tomorrow, Andrew Cashner will start for the Cubs as they face the Padres in Mesa. Randy Wells is also scheduled to go tomorrow. The Padres counter with Wade LeBlanc, followed by Simon Castro, Anthony Bass, Jeremy Hefner, Colt Hynes, Brad Brach and Aaron Poreda.

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One would ::hope:: the parks would draw better on what appears to be a gorgeous Friday

…at least in some parts of the world. In other news, I’m just not feeling great about these 2011 Cubs, but then again I wasn’t feeling great about their prospects last December either. In the meantime, I’ll celebrate the victories when I can.

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 Mar 4, 2011 5:14 PM CST reply actions

So until then keep

your W flag handy . You will need it soon . ( I hope )

by cubs north on Mar 4, 2011 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hallelujah!

by braziliancubsfan on Mar 4, 2011 5:18 PM CST reply actions

0 ERRORS!!!

At least thats a perk, anyone see the game or have any input on how Tyler did at 1B?

~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will

by unretrofied93 on Mar 4, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions

Didn't "see" anything...

… but it sounded like he did OK.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2011 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

The LOLCubs strike again

But at least there were no errors.

RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) and Ron Santo (February 25, 1940-December 2, 2010).

by Ace Venom on Mar 4, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions

Caption:

“Raise your arms! … Oh my, are you ticklish????”

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 Mar 4, 2011 5:28 PM CST reply actions

No errors?

Hallelujah!!!!!!!!

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 Mar 4, 2011 5:28 PM CST reply actions

Taylor Jungmann throws 120 pitches for Texas

ughhhh

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 5:29 PM CST reply actions

That's an issue

if it keeps up.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 4, 2011 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

yup

I will keep you updated. Jackie Bradley Jr. this weekend vs. rated Clemson. Saturday on ESPN-something

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Sonny Gray

has struck out ten through six innings. Of course, it’s just Brown.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 4, 2011 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Brown

What can they do for your Draft status?

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

He walked no one

So that’s good. One run, three hits.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 4, 2011 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, it is

I’ll be up in the air in early-June, I think.

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

I'd say it puts his Draft status on the UPS.... ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Mar 4, 2011 11:47 PM CST up reply actions

Cashner v. Padres in MESA, not Peoria

Got tickets for this one and the statement at the end of the recap mentioned Andrew Cashner would pitch in Peoria. My ticket says HoHoKam in Mesa so that’s where I’m headed from Vegas EARLY tomorrow morning. Since the spring gate is already down, thought a little correction for folks thinking of attending was in order.

by bob9550 on Mar 4, 2011 5:31 PM CST reply actions

You're right.

I’ll fix it. I misread the schedule.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

Caption

Although Esteban German seems to be having trouble with the “throw your hands in the air” part of the instructions, advanced student Geovany Soto is already “wavin’ ‘em like he just don’t care.”

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Mar 4, 2011 5:45 PM CST reply actions

To the house

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

Good AND Bad - BUT

what is troubling is some of the minor league pitchers I had hope for are truly proving to be worthless.

As we recall, De Ro was traded for three pitchers. One was good. Gaub and Stevens are atrocious.

The good one is now Matt Garza.

All of the other AA and AAA pitchers whom have been pitching this ST so far with the exception of JJackson, Cardidad, Samardjia, and Cashner have been pretty awful.

The great “Lefty Hope”, James Russell, is not.

Berg STILL stinks.

So, IMO the talent evaluation bringing these pitchers in by trade or draft, is questionable.

I know, some of them are “still young”, but I tire of hearing about our “prospects” that become touted as potential solid MLB players (not to mention impact players) that turn into crap.

Please let me hear now how its “only Spring Training and it doesn’t matter”.

What a collection of refuse!

by The E-Man on Mar 4, 2011 5:59 PM CST reply actions

Berg was never a prospect

Mateo, marginally so. Gaub and Stevens were traded for because they were close, not necessarily good. Russell is around still because he’s a lefty.

Prospects don’t usually pan out. (Repeat this often.)

The guys that are worth considering for long-term use are Carpenter, JJax, McNutt, and maybe Cabrera. Dolis has some things to iron out still (Probablt nothing, but too early to tell.)

Look back at the last three or so drafts. Look at the Top 8-10 Rounds. Those are (usually) the guys with long-term potential.

Yeah, a lot of the relievers have been bad, though.

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

None of these young guys struggling are real prospects, other than Dolis.

by Dcr18 on Mar 4, 2011 6:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Justin Berg was drafted in the 43rd round

and the Cubs got him for Matt Lawton. The fact that a 43rd rounder even made it to the majors is a good bit of scouting even if he isn’t any good.

John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.

by rlpete on Mar 4, 2011 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

The good one is now Matt Garza.

Meaning: The “good one” (Archer) has become Garza.

by The E-Man on Mar 4, 2011 6:00 PM CST reply actions

Exactly.

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by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

One could only wish Archer became Garza

I am afraid it was Archer, Chirinos, Lee & Guyer who became Garza.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 5, 2011 12:16 AM CST up reply actions

AND SAM FULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

by shoemile on Mar 5, 2011 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

No that was act of mercy on Hendry's part

To get him somewhere he might have a chance of making the 25 man roster.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 5, 2011 12:40 AM CST up reply actions

Why couldn't Quade fit him in?

I mean, I’m sure you blamed Lou for Sammy’s predicament, but why can’t the new guy see the value of Fuld’s skill set?

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

by shoemile on Mar 5, 2011 12:46 AM CST up reply actions

Fuld is out of options

so Hendry would have had to trade him or place him on waivers regardless. No act of mercy, strictly baseball reality.

by azjazzman on Mar 5, 2011 2:00 AM CST up reply actions

I'm seeing a lot of good things...not concerned about the ballclub overall

but man our young guys in the ’pen suck, in my opinion.

But I like what I’m seeing from the regulars, in the ’pen and hitting the ball. GREAT to see no errors today.

The Cubs will be fine.

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

by mikegncb34 on Mar 4, 2011 6:05 PM CST reply actions

I tried to register with mlb.com

and therefore with cubs.com (already had an mlb account from all star voting) and it made me confirm my registration. I tried three times to do so and kept getting an error message that I should keep trying. Gave up as it was a spring training game. They had an ad saying you could listen to the game for free…so I had no chance to hear about the game until now. Btw, can anyone tell me how Spellcheck has been doing so far this year?

Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10

by Sandberg's evil twin on Mar 4, 2011 6:40 PM CST reply actions

Its been pretty easy to weed out the bad pitchers

No big surprises so far.

by Mitchener on Mar 4, 2011 7:21 PM CST reply actions

Lots of weeds in that garden there

by timh815 on Mar 4, 2011 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

Caption

Geo: “Hey Esteban, let’s start the wave.” Esteban German: “NO WAVE!”

by toppsmike on Mar 4, 2011 8:27 PM CST reply actions

They can go ahead and start cutting people anytime....

by TJ11 on Mar 4, 2011 9:47 PM CST reply actions

Caption

Geo: “Cubs Win!!!!!!! Cubs Win!!!!!! Cubs Win!!!!!!!”

Esteban seems somewhat flabbergasted by the comment.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 4, 2011 10:14 PM CST reply actions

Cactus League Attendance

Friday, March 4th, 2011 Total (8 games): 55,285 game avg: 6910

Friday, March 5th, 2010 Total (8 games): 50,864 game avg: 6358

A one day snapshot doesn’t mean a whole lot. Too many variables: which parks the games are played in, who the opponents are, the weather, what other games are close proximty, etc.

But, this does show that it is very premature to declare that ST attendance is down this year. As the season progresses, those variable factor themselves out and a truer picture emerges.

It is sort of like declaring a winner in a Presidential election when all you have to look at is the results from Rhode Island.

by azjazzman on Mar 5, 2011 12:16 AM CST reply actions

One thing that is clear, however...

… Cubs attendance is down. It may be down to 2003 levels. No games are completely sold out — in the past, several would have been sold out within a few days of the on-sale date.

Sunday’s attendance will be an indicator. In the past, even an early-season Sunday game on a nice-weather day would have been a sellout. This one probably won’t be.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Mar 5, 2011 8:07 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not at all surprised

that the Cubs attendance is off. In fact, I predicted it.

But, the increase that the Rockies and D’Backs will see with their new ballpark in Scottsdale will offset that.

by azjazzman on Mar 5, 2011 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

The question is...

… will other teams also be down? The Dodgers and White Sox appear to be down at Camelback.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Mar 5, 2011 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think the teams

on the west side will be impacted as much. Dodgers drew 11,261 yesterday.

I would’ve thought the Giants would be impacted the most, but the buzz of being the World Series Champions may offset that.

by azjazzman on Mar 5, 2011 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

Just because Gaub doesn't figure to make the team, doesn't make it alright.

You’re team is only as good as the 40th man on the roster… you want the best 40 you an assemble. And, if the Cubs struggle to find major league quality players in the bottom half of the 40…. that’s not good.

Furthermore, you want the farm to supplement the roster.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on Mar 5, 2011 1:50 AM CST reply actions

Sorry for the typos... it's late.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on Mar 5, 2011 1:50 AM CST up reply actions

True.

But those other 15 guys don’t win games for you unless there’s an emergency. If Gaub can’t perform, that really is irrelevant to who can win games for you starting April 1.

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Mar 5, 2011 8:08 AM CST up reply actions

on the plus

side its only spring training. but not scoring runs and shoddy defense are becoming a very disturbing trend.as opposed to everyone else i expect this team to be in the mix in 2011. run production will be the key as we have very good pitching.

by NOMAR on Mar 5, 2011 6:56 AM CST reply actions