Piniella has a vision
Marshall's early exit brings call for some starters 'to step it up'
Nobody said the view was going to be any better from the top. In fact, it seemed blurry for at least one Cub during the team's first day of the season in first place.
And the problems with Sean Marshall's right eye Thursday could have ramifications that stretch through the weekend series against the National League East-leading New York Mets.
(John J. Kim/Sun-Times)
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When the left-hander lasted just 2 2/3 innings of a 10-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, it broadsided an already heavily used bullpen that had worked four or more innings in two of the previous three nights.
It didn't cost the Cubs any ground in the division, with the Mets beating the Milwaukee Brewers on the eve of their Wrigley Field opener. And the bullpen gets a fresh arm today with the much-anticipated return of Kerry Wood.
But the starters have failed to pitch more than five innings in five of the last eight games, and if that trend continues for even another series or so, it won't matter how much better the relievers have looked lately because they'll be toast.
''We're set up exactly the way we want with our bullpen,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''We just need to somehow get a few more innings out of a few of our starting pitchers. A few of these guys have to step it up.''
Marshall may deserve a pass on this one. He scratched the cornea in his right eye while he was sleeping Wednesday night, Piniella said, and he left the ballpark quickly to see an eye doctor after his outing.
Marshall (5-5), who normally wears contact lenses when he pitches, spent much of his pregame time working on the eye. But he appeared to be unable to use his contacts, playing catch before the game while wearing glasses.
It may have contributed to his struggles with location on too-fat pitches that were driven all over the park for seven runs on a homer, four doubles and four singles.
Regardless of the cause, the effect of another limited start is becoming apparent. Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry and Dempster have been used enough over the last week that Piniella didn't plan to use any of them unless Dempster had a save opportunity in the ninth.
''We didn't need a short outing, that's for sure,'' Piniella said. ''Our bullpen's done a yeoman's job. But we've got to start getting some more innings from our starting staff.''
Piniella said he doesn't plan to make any changes in his rotation right now -- or his bullpen, for that matter (beyond Wood), with workhorse Carlos Zambrano going today.
Exacerbating the issue is that the Cubs are only halfway through a stretch of 20 games in 20 days -- and after a day off have 13 more consecutive days of games.
''That's a lot of baseball, and we're in the hot summer months now,'' Piniella said.
Piniella singled out Wednesday's starter, Rich Hill, who has failed to pitch six innings in five of his last eight starts, including outings of three, three and 4 2/3 in that run.
''We really need Hill to kick it in a little bit,'' he said, ''probably more than any of these other guys.''
The bullpen, meanwhile, looked like it was going to pull off another heroic effort, extending its scoreless streak to 21 2/3 innings while the hitters chipped away until closing to 7-6 heading to the ninth.
But left-hander Will Ohman gave up three runs in the ninth, including back-to-back RBI doubles to the wall.
''I don't think it's a question of guys being tired,'' said Ohman, who had allowed only one run in his last 10 appearances. ''Maybe not optimal, the way you want things to go, but I don't think you'll ever hear any of us say we're overworked or can't handle it.''