That closer experiment is working out really well
It took Kerry Wood 31 days to earn the closer’s role.And he managed to screw up in less than two seconds by plunking the first batter he faced.On his first pitch of the season.Wood’s rough outing during the Cubs’ 4-3 loss to the Brewers overshadowed the debut of Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.The overseas phenom didn’t waste time making his first impression. He drove the first pitch he saw deep into centerfield for a stand-up double. Then during his final at-bat, with
Chicago trailing by three in the ninth, Fukudome launched one out of the yard to tie the game up and send it into extra innings.Unfortunately, no other Cub did anything remotely close to hitting. The top three hitters—Ryan Theriot, Alfonso Soriano and Derreck Lee—went a combined 1-for-15 with six strikeouts. Nice. Felix Pie, who won a starting spot in centerfield, went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and left four men on base. Awesome.The pitching was slightly better.Carlos Zambrano pitched a brilliant 6-2/3 innings and struck out five hitters while walking just one. Unfortunately he had to leave with cramps in his right forearm. Carlos Marmol came in and cleaned house in 1-1/3 innings of work (three strikeouts, zero runs). Then Wood came in.Hit batter. Intentional walk. RBI single. Two-run home run. Yeah, he’s ready to be the closer.It’s alright, though. Bob Howry picked Wood up and took the loss after allowing a run in his only inning of work.But, it’s just Opening Day and the season is a marathon, not a sprint. So one off day won’t spell the end for this season.Still, when it has been 100 years since your last World Series, it can be a bit disconcerting when your brand new closer screws up in less than two seconds.
