Carlos Marmol hasn’t regained Dale Sveum’s total confidence
BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com June 3, 2012 10:14PM
The Giants’ Joaquin Arias tags out Ian Stewart, who was attempting to steal third base, in the fourth inning of the Cubs’ 2-0 loss. | Ben Margot~AP
TODAY
Cubs at Giants
The facts: 2:45 p.m., CSN, 720-AM.
The pitchers: Jeff Samardzija (5-3, 3.09 ERA) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (3-2, 2.36).
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Updated: July 7, 2012 8:19AM
SAN FRANCISCO — Former closer Carlos Marmol has tossed three scoreless innings in his last three appearances since returning from the 15-day disabled list Monday.
He has done so in impressive fashion, with no hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
So Cubs manager Dale Sveum must be at least entertaining the idea of getting Marmol back to what he was paid to do, which is get the final three outs of the game, right?
“No,’’ Sveum said without hesitation. “I’m not setting any goals to get anyone anywhere, other than just to win baseball games somehow and keep the other team from scoring when our starter is out of there. That’s the bottom line when we don’t have anyone cut and dry in any situation.
“The bottom line is working the matchups the best you possibly can to keep the other team from scoring. However we do that, the chips will fall where they fall.’’
As far as Sveum is concerned, forget closer-by-committee. It’s more like bullpen-by-committee, with all of his relievers on notice that they might be used at any time in any type of matchup.
Frustration builds
After watching San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito shut down the Cubs on Sunday, Sveum has seen his lineup score three runs off Giants starting pitchers in three games.
“It’s the same press conference every day,’’ Sveum said. “It’s a broken record. I don’t know what to say to come up with something different. It’s just frustrating.’’
Cubs hitters aren’t real sure what to say, either.
“If we knew the answer … credit to them,’’ catcher Koyie Hill said. “They ran three pretty good pitchers out there. It’s a chore.’’
Touch ’em all
Sveum said that he has no idea which direction Theo Epstein and the rest of the Cubs’ brain trust are looking to go in the first round of the draft Monday, but he did acknowledge that this isn’t just another draft, especially for a new regime looking to add impact players.
“They’re in lockdown right now,’’ Sveum said. “There’s a lot going on in their lives.’’
◆ Pitcher Marcos Mateo underwent Tommy John surgery Friday. The hope is he can be back at some point next season.
