Lou keeps faith; Eyre keeps failing
CHRIS DE LUCA ON THE CUBS:
After allowing two runs, four hits and two walks in two innings Monday, Eyre's ERA sits at a staggering 8.27.
Though Piniella has a history of having little patience for relievers who frustrate him, he had a long, friendly conversation with Eyre before the game Monday.
''He told me today he is going to try to get me in there more when he can,'' Eyre said. ''Lou told me, 'I've seen your numbers, you can pitch.'
''It's the best thing there is when your manager is standing behind you when you haven't done a very good job -- he still has confidence and faith in you.''
But that confidence and faith continue to be tested.
In the Cubs' 5-3 loss to the Florida Marlins, Eyre was called on to get some work with the Cubs trailing 3-0 in the eighth inning. Eyre then allowed one run in the eighth and another in the ninth -- runs that wound up being crucial.
In each inning, Eyre was showered with boos.
''They're here to see us win, and we're not winning, so they have every right to boo,'' Eyre said. ''That's fine, and they cheer when you get the outs. So, hopefully, I'll just get outs and they'll cheer more.
''I've heard fans, sitting in the bullpen today, yelling, 'You suck,' and I heard other people saying, 'Hey, keep your head up.' It's all what you want to let into your head. And I don't let a whole lot into mine -- not that negativity, that's what I'm saying.''
The odd thing about Eyre's poor start is that he insists he hasn't felt this good in years.
''I feel strong and good,'' he said. ''It's just a case of I started off so slow and I didn't get a chance to pitch a lot. That's no one's fault but my own. I'm one of those guys that the more I throw, the better I pitch. Obviously, you have to pitch good to pitch more.''
Piniella says he'll try to get Eyre more regular work.
''We need to get him straightened out,'' Piniella said. ''He could really help us.''
And Eyre is working on correcting the tiny flaws that are making a big difference.
''I'm not trying to overhaul, just making little adjustments to make the pitches crisper and pitch a little better,'' he said. ''I got the lefty out twice today, so I was pretty happy about that.''
HILL MAKES STRIDES: Lost amid the 11-inning loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Dodgers was a nice rebound by left-hander Rich Hill.
Hill entered the start 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA -- with 17 hits, including seven home runs, and nine walks in 17 innings -- in his previous three outings. Runners were also 5-for-5 in steals off him.
Then he held the Dodgers to three hits in six scoreless innings. Leading up to his start Sunday, Hill had been working with pitching coach Larry Rothschild on throwing the ball more downhill and incorporating a slide step to keep runners honest.
He picked off leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal in the first inning, fooling him with a hesitation and slide step.
''I think we figured everything out in the stretch as far as trying to clean up holding runners on or anything that might be too slow or too quick,'' Hill said Monday. ''I think we've come up with a solution.''
MONEY MATTERS: Though sources say there has been no movement for weeks on contract talks with potential free-agent pitcher Carlos Zambrano, general manager Jim Hendry reiterated that if the Cubs are in contention near the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, he has the green light to deal.
''Absolutely,'' Hendry said. ''We just have to do our part and stay in the race, get back higher in the standings. And if I need to get something then, there will be no problem doing it.''
Sources say, however, that the Cubs likely will be limited to players whose contracts don't extend beyond the 2007 season.
