Cubs taking it won-by-one
Marshall solid again to spark third single-run victory in week
If the Cubs are looking for an alternative to using embattled catcher Michael Barrett every game, the evidence is mounting that they might have at least a short-term solution in Koyie Hill.
Of course, in the case of Exhibit A on Wednesday night, it didn't hurt that he was catching a guy who might have made anybody look good. Young left-hander Sean Marshall threw eight veteran-looking innings to beat Seattle 3-2 at Wrigley Field and snap the Mariners' five-game winning streak.
Of course, in the case of Exhibit A on Wednesday night, it didn't hurt that he was catching a guy who might have made anybody look good. Young left-hander Sean Marshall threw eight veteran-looking innings to beat Seattle 3-2 at Wrigley Field and snap the Mariners' five-game winning streak.
Hill, who signed as a minor-league free agent in November, has made the move look good in five starts behind the plate since being recalled from Class AAA Iowa on June 1 -- the same day Barrett and pitcher Carlos Zambrano tangled in the dugout and clubhouse.
(Chris Sweda/Sun-Times)
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Cubs sink Mariners
Hill, who signed as a minor-league free agent in November, has made the move look good in five starts behind the plate since being recalled from Class AAA Iowa on June 1 -- the same day Barrett and pitcher Carlos Zambrano tangled in the dugout and clubhouse.
''Yeah, we're 4-1 in games that he's caught,'' said manager Lou Piniella, well aware of Hill's impact. ''He works the pitchers well and makes them use all their pitches. He's done a nice job.''
Since his recall, Cubs starting pitchers are 4-0 with a combined 1.49 ERA -- allowing no more than two earned runs in a start and pitching no fewer than 6 2/3 innings -- with Hill catching.
He has caught both of Zambrano's starts since then, and the volatile pitcher has gone 2-0 and allowed only two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings since. Wednesday was Hill's second game behind the plate with Marshall -- both victories.
But if there's one case in which Hill might be as much bystander as victory driver, it is with Marshall (3-2) pitching.
The big left-hander produced his fifth consecutive quality start since joining the Cubs' rotation last month from the minors and earned his third victory in a row. He might be 5-0 if he'd gotten more than one total run of support in his first two starts.
''He's been impressive,'' Piniella said. ''All of his starts have been good ones. Tonight, he was really exceptional. No walks, 94 pitches.''
Three of the seven hits Marshall allowed were off the bat of former American League MVP and batting champ Ichiro Suzuki, who tripled to lead off the sixth and scored on a ground out.
The other run Marshall allowed came on a leadoff home run by Richie Sexson in the second.
''I'm pretty excited after tonight's win, just for the team and the guys,'' said Marshall, whose victory gave the Cubs seven wins in their last 11 games since the back-to-back games that featured the Barrett-Zambrano fight and Piniella's tirade and ejection.
''I was just trying to throw strikes and attack the hitters,'' said Marshall, who struck out one. ''The more I pitch, the more confidence I build up. I just hope to keep doing the same thing for the next week, the next year and the next few years after that.''
The Cubs came from behind, taking advantage of walks and a fifth-inning error to score just enough to eke out their fifth victory in 18 one-run games this season -- but their third such win in the last week.
| Date, opponent | Cubs starter | IP | ER | Dec. | Result |
| June 2 vs. Atlanta | Rich Hill | 7 | 1 | ND | L, 5-3 |
| June 3 vs. Atlanta | Sean Marshall | 6 2/3 | 1 | W | W, 10-1 |
| June 6 at Milwaukee | Carlos Zambrano | 6 2/3 | 2 | W | W, 6-2 |
| Monday vs. Houston | Carlos Zambrano | 8 | 0 | W | W, 2-1 |
| Wednesday vs. Seattle | Sean Marshall | 8 | 2 | W | W, 3-2 |
| Totals | (5 games, 1.49 ERA) | 36 1/3 | 6 | 4-0 | 4-1 |