Cubs Lose Again, Radio Recaps, Live Chat, and More

First of all, I will be having a Live Cubs Chat this week at 6 PM Central Time. Note that the time did change, it is now 6 PM not 7 PM. You can send in your questions and comments on the Cubs all day long on Wednesday, and then check back at a later date to see the answer to your question OR you can join me LIVE as I answer your questions. Again, 6:00 PM on Wednesday, please join me!





Now for today's game...





Final Score: Rangers 7, Cubs 2





Cubs Starting Line-up Hittting:


Soriano: 0-2, BB


Theriot: 0-2, BB, RBI


Lee: 0-3


Bradley: 1-3, Run


Ramirez: 2-2


R. Johnson: 0-4


Miles: 1-4


Hill: 2-2, Run





Not a good sign. The Cubs first 4 batters, who are all "regulars" went a combined 1-10. Johnson and Miles also struggled today. Koyie Hill and Aramis Ramirez were the only hitters who did well, with 2 hits a piece.





Cubs Pitchers:


Marshall: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 K, 0 ER


Vizcaino: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 ER


Stanton: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER


Ascaino: 1 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 0 ER


Cotts: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 0 ER


C. Fox: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, Loss


Hart: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 ER





Great job by Marshall today, pulling ahead in the fifth starters competition by throwing 4 shutout innings. Vizcaino was very wild allowing 3 walks and 2 runs in less than an inning of work. Cotts and Ascaino were sharp, both striking out the side. Kevin Hart gave up a grand slam to put away the game for the Rangers in the top of a 9th.





Cubs Hitters off the Bench:


Deeds: 0-2


Blanco: 0-2


Hoffpauir: 1-1


J. Fox: BB


Rivas: 0-2


Castillo: 1-1


Snyder: 0-1


Dubois: 0-1





Welington Castillo got his first hit of the spring. Hoffpauir's average is now over .300. Ryan Theriot still has the highest batting average on the team at .476. Jason Dubois has not hit well this spring, he's hitting just .167.





Game Highlight: Greg Golson hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 9th off Kevin Hart to put away the game.





My Player of the Game: Sean Marshall for tossing 4 strong innings, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits.

Up Next: VS KC 3:05 CT tomorrow (in Mesa)

Radio Recaps:

Yesterday Bruce Levine and Chet Coppock were joined by Derrek Lee:

• Lee doesn't see any problems out of Milton Bradley (off the field) this year. He even said that Bradley is a quiet guy.


• Derrek told Milton that Cubs fans will respect you if you are on your best behavior and go out there and play well.


• He thinks that everyone could get ready for Opening Day in 2 weeks. Lee thinks Spring Training is way too long especially this year.


• Derrek liked the leadership that Lou showed by saying that he could improve as a manger in the postseason.


• When asked about Fukudome's lack of hitting in the second half, Lee said that Kosuke was putting too much pressure on himself. Lee thinks Fukudome will be more consistent this year.


• Derrek doesn't think there are any excuses when you are on the field playing. Lee plays the game to win and for his teammates. If he feels that the best thing for him to do is play a little hurt, then that's what he'll do.


• Lee thinks that last year the team winning was the most important things, not his numbers.


• He hopes that his numbers come back this year and the team continues to win.

Chet and Bruce also had Len Kasper on the show:

• Kasper has not payed that much attention to the World Baseball Classic.


• His main priority is to get ready to the Cubs season.


• Cubs fans are just keeping their fingers crossed that everyone stays healthy.


• Len doesn't think the postseason sweep last year has been a major distraction. He thinks those questions were addressed before the games started.


• Now that the games have started the media is focused on what happens in the games and looking ahead.


• Kasper thinks that Milton Bradley will bring a lot of patience at the plate and some power.


• Steve Phillips doesn't think Lou has enough patience to deal with players coming from another country. Len completely disagrees with that. Piniella gave Fukudome every chance last year.


• Len says Kosuke could find himself on the bench early in the year if Reed Johnson and Joey Gathright get off to good starts.


• If Kosuke is hitting good at the end of April, he could be penciled in everyday for the rest of the season.


• Len also expects Fukudome to be very good in center field.


• Bruce Levine thinks that Steve Phillips's statement about Lou is "ridiculous".


• Kasper thinks the Cubs are fine as far as middle infield, but they could use a 3B back-up.


• Cory Koskie is an interesting option off the bench.


• If the Cubs add another back-up infielder, it could effect Joey Gathright's status on the 25-man roster.

Other Cubs Notes:

• Karl Ravech from ESPN expects the Cubs to restart the Jake Peavy talks sometime during the season. (Thanks to Phil Wilson for that one)


• It looks like the Cubs will take on Team Japan in the exhibition game VS a WBC team on Thursday. This mean Kosuke Fukudome might play against the Cubs this week!


• Carlos Zambrano will not have LASIK surgery before the season. Big Z says the infection in his eye is gone.


• Lou will give Mark Johnson and chance to win the back-up catchers job according to The Sun-Times.


• Chad Gaudin and Jeff Samardzija will pitch 3 innings each tomorrow.


• Rich Harden will start on Tuesday, making his Cactus League debut. Harden is scheduled to pitch 2 innings.


• Ryan Dempster and Aaron Heilman will both pitch 3 innings in relief on Tuesday.


• Lou Piniella says that it is not out of the question for the Cubs to have three guys hit 30 home runs (Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez). Soriano reminds him that he forgot Geovany Soto, who could also hit 30 long balls.

WBC Update: Carlos Marmol struck out the side for the DR in a 3-2 loss to the Netherlands. Kosuke Fukudome is 1-4 with 4 walks, a single, and 2 K's so far.

The Cubs have now lost 6 in a row in the Cactus League. They will try to end that streak tomorrow against the Royals.