The Cubs are 0-2 on this early spring, and while results in spring training don't necessarily mean anything, it would still be nice to get that first win.
Today, a collection of mostly sub Cubs lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3; subs Welington Castillo and Scott Moore had a pair of hits each and Reed Johnson, also looking to make the roster as a non-roster invitee, also had two hits. Moore played second base, a position he played 22 times last year for the Orioles in an effort to increase his versatility. That's more than he played in his entire minor league career (17 times). Moore's likely headed for Iowa, but if he can be proficient at multiple positions, he'll have a shot at a callup in case of injury.
Cubs pitchers were up and down today; Randy Wells was good, Andrew Cashner not so much. Kerry Wood came into the game to a standing ovation from the rather small crowd of 5,405 -- one of the smallest crowds in Mesa in many years -- but got hit pretty hard. It appeared that Cashner and Wood were both throwing mostly fastballs in their spring debuts. Jim Hendry, on the radio with Pat and Zonk, said that Cashner will get every chance to make the rotation -- and that may mean that Cashner will head to Iowa to start if he doesn't.
Jay Jackson, Chris Carpenter and Sean Marshall all threw scoreless innings against a team of Brewers who we'll likely never see all year. Same with that pitching staff, which included a start by Tim Dillard, son of former Cub Steve Dillard. Dillard made a handful of appearances for the Brewers in 2008 and 2009; he's spent eight years in the minor leagues and does have a shot at the Milwaukee bullpen this year.
The Cubs face the Giants at Scottsdale tomorrow with Ryan Dempster on the mound. Tim Lincecum makes his spring debut for the Giants.