Spring Training: Cubs vs Mariners

Yesterday the Cubs played the Mariners in Peoria, Arizona. Manager Mike Quade went with a line up that was missing many of the projected starters. On to the game notes.

OFFENSE

Kosuke Fukudome once again found himself in the lead off spot. He went 0 for 3. While he has drawn some walks, as of this morning he is hitting .194 this Spring. It bears repeating that Fukudome has struggled in past seasons at the top of the order, and he has said early on in camp that he is not a fan of hitting lead off, but he will do what the team asks. The problem is that the Cubs do not have much else to choose from internally. And at this point in the season, what are the odds of finding a better candidate outside the current camp roster?

Despite the hole at the lead off slot, the Cubs have been pretty consistent with the first inning runs. They have also had their share of two out RBI hits. Yesterday they enjoyed double the pleasure as Bryan LaHair provided both on a double. Other than that there was not much else to highlight offensively. Infielder candidate Darwin Barney went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .333 to continue to build his case over Augie Ojeda, who has struggled both in games and with back spasms . Roster long shot Lou Montanez went 2 for 4 and catching prospect Welington Castillo went 2 for 2.

PITCHING

Matt Garza had an outing that is more in line with what the team and fans were expecting when Jim Hendry traded prospects to Tampa Bay for the right handed starter. He only allowed one run over four innings, but did walk two. Sean Marshall was tagged with a run for only the second time this Spring.

DEFENSE

Welington Castillo threw out Chone Figgins trying to steal second in the bottom of the first inning. The lone error for the Cubs was credited to James Adduci, which allowed Adam Kennedy to advance to second.