Cubs Fall to D'backs

Final Score: Arizona 9, Cubs 1

Cubs Starting Line-up Stats:
Soriano: 0-3
Miles: 1-3
Lee: 1-2
Hoffpauir: 1-4, Run
Ramirez: 0-2
Fontenot: 0-3
Hill: 1-2
Gathright: 0-2

It was good to see the regulars back in there today. I think it's interesting that Ramirez has hit 5th twice this Spring. Is that where Lou is planning on hitting him in the regular season?

Cubs Pitchers:
Zambrano: 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Marmol: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
Atkins: Loss, 1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 1 K
Campusano: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB
Kadokura: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB
Waddell: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER
Stevens: 2 H, 0 ER
Guzman: 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB

So Big Z pitched well in his first outing of the Spring. Marmol worked a 1, 2, 3 in his final tune-up before leaving for the WBC. However, Atkins and Guzman both struggled in relief hurting their shot at making the ball club.

Cubs Hitters off the Bench:
Scales: 0-1
Fox: 1-1
Dubois: 0-1
Rivas:1-2
Blanco: 1-1, RBI
Clevenger: 0-2
Taguchi: 0-1, BB
Snyder: 0-1
Deed: 0-3

So Andres Blanco had the only Cubs RBI of the day, as the bats were quiet for the second straight game.

Game Highlight: D'backs score 5 runs off Atkins in the 4th.

My Player of the Game: Carlos Zambrano who didn't allow a hit in his first to innings of work this Spring.

Up Next: VS Oak @ 2 PM CT tomorrow

Other Cubs Notes:

• According to the Tribune, the Padres still can't afford Jake Peavy's contract.
• Peavy is still interested in coming to the Cubs. Peavy is very high on the team, the fans, Jim Hendry, and the entire city of Chicago.
• Paul Sullivan says that Sandy Alderson, the Padres Cheif Executive Officer, could be added to the Cubs organization in a similar role to the one he has with San Diego now.
• According to Cubs.com, Milton Bradley took BP today and is expected to DH on Wednesday and be back in RF on Friday.
• Carlos Marmol leaves for the WBC tomorrow.
• Lou isn't ready to name his Opening Day starting pitcher, but it will be between Zambrano and Dempster.
• Lilly is the Cubs #3 starter, and Harden is #4, according to Gordon Wittenmyer.
• Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Koyie Hill, Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson, and Alfonso Soriano will make the trip to Las Vegas for the games against the White Sox Wednesday and Thursday.
• Chad Gaudin will pitch the game in Arizona against the Indians on Wednesday, and Jeff Samardzija will pitch the night game against the Sox.

Don't forget to send you questions into our new Cubs Blog Mailbag! cubsblogmailbag@aol.com is the address!

Sean Gallagher, the former Cub, will pitch for the A's against the Cubs tomorrow. Sean Mashall will get his second Cactus League start for the Cubs.

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted.