Just about anyone who's anyone on the Cubs roster today likely spent the afternoon playing golf -- OK, maybe working out at Fitch Park -- as the only starter today who will likely see significant playing time for the major league squad when the come north was Jeff Baker.
Nevertheless, the assorted prospects, minor leaguers and Kevin Millar (who called himself "Dad" to the rest of the lineup, via this Carrie Muskat tweet) blew a big early lead, then came from behind twice in the late innings to defeat the Diamondbacks 8-7 and keep the spring record perfect at 2-0.
Sam Fuld scored the winning run as a pinch runner, and we learned earlier today from another Muskat tweet:
Sam Fuld's wife tried to get home run ball from Thursday but a #cubs fan wouldn't give it up. It was their son Charlie's 1st game.
Hey! If you're the fan who caught that ball, give it to the Fuld family. It means a lot more to them than it does to you, and I'm sure Sam would sign a few things for you in exchange.
In fact, various Carrie Muskat tweets were interesting and informative today, particularly the ones regarding Angel Guzman and Jeff Gray. More after the jump.
Muskat's blog indicates that both Guzman and Gray might not be ready for Opening Day:Guzman was projected as a possible right-handed set-up option for the Cubs. He hasn't been close to throwing off a mound. Could he be ready by Opening Day?
"Not at all," Piniella said. "Gray is starting to get on the 'doubtful' list -- not doubtful, let's call it the 'borderline' list."
Now, some of you are going to bemoan the fact that Kiko Calero is no longer available, but I say again: I'd be leery of a guy who 29 other teams passed on, and the one that signed him only gave him a minor league deal. Based on this cubs.com article, the team still has plenty of bullpen options in camp already:
With Guzman and Gray out, there are more opportunities for the young pitchers such as John Gaub, Thomas Diamond, Blake Parker, and James Russell. Another arm Piniella likes is Andrew Cashner, the Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick in 2008.
"Cashner's a nice looking young kid," Piniella said of the right-hander. "That's going to be up to the organization. First of all, let's see how he pitches here. Let's see what the organization has planned as far as starter, reliever. I think Jim will make that decision and rightfully so."
You'll see Diamond and Parker throw Sunday in separate split-squad games; Cashner will go in tomorrow's televised game (WGN, 2 pm CST) against the White Sox.
I'm not worried. Yet.
About today's game, Carlos Zambrano and Casey Coleman threw well; Jeff Stevens didn't, and Justin Berg, who is also in the bullpen mix, gave up a 9th-inning run to some Arizona scrubs before the bench bailed him out and got him a win. In addition to Starlin Castro's two hits, Tyler Colvin had another pair of hits (single and double, two RBI) and last year's #1 pick, Brett Jackson, had his first spring hit. The Cubs teed off on their former teammate Aaron Heilman for five hits and four runs in his one inning of work.
It's only two games, but Colvin may be forcing Lou to consider him in the outfield mix. I hope he plays again tomorrow so we can all see him in the televised game.