The Cubs wasted a strong rebound start from Randy Wells on Tuesday night losing 3-2 in another low scoring affair with the Florida Marlins. This makes it seven out of the last eight games that the Cubs have scored three or fewer runs and they have lost every one. Ready for a another staggering statistic? Chicago is now 1-16 in games where they score four runs or less. Right now whenever the game is close in the late innings there is an impending sense of doom. This team is delivering no clutch hits (0-for-4 last night with RISP) and the bullpen has been unpredictable (season ERA is 5.16.)
Piniella continues to shift players around in the lineup in an attempt to spark some offense. Derrek Lee moved to the clean up spot last night and came through with a pair of doubles, one of them off of Ricky Nolasco the former Cub prospect who pitched seven strong innings and allowed only one run. The trade involving Nolasco is looking worse and worse as he has developed into a solid #2 type starter, while another pitcher they gave up Sergio Mitre is performing very well for the Yankees this season. The only thing the Cubs got out of this deal was one relatively unspectacular year of Juan Pierre. Not good.
Starlin Castro continues to be the most eventful player on the team as he notched two more hits and another error last night. The two knocks brought his batting average back up to .333 while the fielding error was his fifth already. He committed three errors in his Wrigley Field debut on Monday night.
The undefeated Carlos Silva (3-0, 3.50) will take the mound on Wednesday looking for his fourth win of the season. He has surprised just about everyone so far, looking like the Carlos Silva of old that came up with the Minnesota Twins. Chris Volstad (3-2, 4.12) will pitch for the Marlins as they go for the sweep.
