Save Some for Opening Day!

Final Score: Cubs 20, Oakland 5

Cubs Starting Lineup Stats:
Theriot: 3-3, 2 RBI, 2 Runs, 1 BB
Fontenot: 2-4, 2 Runs, RBI
Lee: 2-5, Run, RBI
Hoffpauir: 2-4, RBI, 2 Runs
J. Fox: 3-5, 2 Runs, 3 RBI
R. Johnson: 2-3, 2 Runs, 3 RBI
Scales: 2-6, 2 Runs, 3 RBI
Hill: 0-2
Taguchi: 1-2, BB, Run

Derrek Lee hit a solo homer in the 5th, but other than that all these RBIs are on balls that didn't leave the yard. Good to see the Cubbies putting some rallies together in Spring Training.

Cubs Pitchers:
Dempster: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Gregg: 0.2 IP, 0 H, ER, 1 K, 1 BB
Heilman: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 ER
Vizcaino: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Patton: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 ER
Cotts: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 1, 3 ER
Hart: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K

Kevin Gregg still has not allowed a run all Spring. Ryan Dempster has a 1.56 ERA. David Patton has a 1.04 ERA. The goose eggs that Vizcaino, Patton, and Hart put on the board were key for those guys because they are fighting for final spots in the bullpen. Neal Cotts really struggled!

Cubs Hitters off the Bench:
Blanco: 0-3
German: 1-1, BB, 2 Runs
M. Johnson: 1-1, Run
Deeds: 0-1
Mota: 1-2, Run, 2 RBI
Bako: 4-4, 3 RBI, 2 Runs
Fuld: 0-3

Paul Bako did himself a big favor today! Koyie went 0-2 in his ABs and then Paul had an amazing day at the plate including a 9th inning solo homer.

Game Highlight: Cubs broke it open with 7 runs in the 6th, and 5 more in the 8th!

My Player of the Game: It's got to be Bako, who raised his average up to .333, and had 4 hits and 3 RBIs.

Up Next: VS Rockies at 3:05 CT tomorrow.

Radio Recaps

Larry Rothschild was on "Talking Baseball" with Bruce Levine and Bryan Dolgin on Saturday:

• Bruce was shocked by the great shape that Soriano and Ramirez reported in.
• Larry says that Aaron Heilman and Jeff Samardzija will work in the bullpen the rest of the spring.
• The Cubs have not decided if Samardzija will start at AAA or in the bullpen.
• Larry thinks Jeff's numbers this spring are misleading. He is pleased with Jeff's progress this spring.
• Rothschild is pleased with Neal Cotts and Kevin Gregg so far this spring.
• The Cubs are out to win and they will keep their eyes open to win now, but also not get too thin down the road.
• Larry doesn't think the fact that Geovany Soto wasn't in camp really hurts the pitchers that much.
• Rothschild says that Zambrano has come into camp "with a sense of purpose". Z is very focused, and has pitched very well this spring. The biggest thing is that he is healthy and he is.

A few other notes from Bruce:

• Reed Johnson, who now has a blog, was asked about "tweeting" during games. Johnson says he has trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time. I don't think we will be seeing him doing Twitter updates during the games this season.
• Bruce talked with David Patton about possibility to make the Cubs bullpen this year. Patton said that playing in the big leagues would be a dream come true.

Sean Marshall on Waddle and Silvy:

• Sean felt very good coming into Spring Training, and was ready to get out there and pitch some innings. He has been very happy the way things have panned out so far.
• Marshall thinks he has learned the game a lot in the last 3 years.
• Silvy asked who the guy in that "big brother role" to Marshall was. Sean said that Dempster is a great role model.
• Sean thinks he learned a lot last year being able to switch roles and situation. He was happy to do whatever as long as he was getting the ball.
• He really likes playing for Lou Piniella.
• Lou has a game plan and he has a good idea of what he is doing.
• Marshall thinks Soto looks good. He will catch up on not getting tons of playing time in the WBC.

Other Cubs Notes:

• Tomorrow should be an interesting day because the Cubs are expected to make about 10 roster cuts. The roster is at 42 right now, so this will determine the fate of a lot of guys.
• Korea VS Japan in the WBC Final tonight. Kosuke will finally report to Cubs camp for the first time soon.
• Chad Gaudin will make his final start of the spring tomorrow against the Rockies.
• Wednesday is a day off for the Cubbies.

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