Garza delivers with big 1-hit outing, Cubs route Phillies 5-1

A special day at Citzens Bank park in Philadelphia showed the Cubs earning their second win of the series against the Phillies. The Phillie Phanatic celebrated a birthday. The offense churned about for the Cubs as Tony Campana ignited the team with a 2-hit display in the lead-off spot. He stole a base and went around to score on a sac fly by Starlin Castro in the 3rd. Later the speedy Campana followed up with a run at the plate on a fielder's choice. With small ball offense for support early, starter Matt Garza was excellent all game. He went 7 strong innings only allowing a mere hit. What a huge difference that makes compare to previous weeks where the bullpen faltered with the bats struggling to produce enough runs. With the kind of lineup the Cubs have the starters are going to be needed to go deep into games. The offense is lacking still without another quality outfielder and power from the catcher's position (let's see if Soto can change that).

 Joe Mather got the start in left field today and delivered with a solo homerun. The first for the Cubs outfield. Gave extra insurance as the Cubs welcomed it. In the 8th Jeff Baker added an RBI single which plated Brian LaHair. With the second victory over the Phillies, Matt Garza records a 2-1 record as given the final decision. The bullpen was okay. Dolis made quick work against the opposition in 1 inning and despite walking 3 batters Carlos Marmol closed out the game for the 5-1 final. With new faces all around the clubhouse and guys platooning in the outfield and infield the Cubs still can benefit by trading for a few power hitters. Possibly bringing up from the minors another reliable and consistent hitter to place in the outfield can add to the offense. Another similar player towards Micah Hoffpauir (find him) caliber can steady run production for the Cubs.

 At 8-14 the schedule is going to become more tough heading into May. The guys in blue need to get better at home. They truly owe it to the fans. With injuries and now rehab stints for Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood other young players will have to help carry the load. The two pitchers are scheduled to pitch soon at Triple-A Iowa. Hope all works out well there to have the veterans back as soon as possible. If the Cubs can muster a win Monday to take the series in Philadelphia then they'll catch a break. Luckily the big bats for the Phillies aren't in the lineup due to injuries. The Cubs kinda needed to sweep the Cardinals at Wrigley, but that's okay as there will more chances for the tri-factor this season. To finish out the first month the ballclub isn't doing up to the standards mainstream fans' expect yet the experimentation is there to see how different players can add value with special roles on given days. The best bet for the Cubs before the veterans return is Jeff Samardzja. He's got the best skill right now on the team. Look for him to be a real game changer and home crowd pleaser. With him in May and of course the lineup coming alive it should be an interesting time to see if the Cubs can progress.

Samardzija enables Cubs to avoid sweep with 4-3 final

With the return to Wrigley Field to kick off the season it was a bad start with an unreliable bullpen. Game 1 and 2 didn't go to the Cubs' satisfaction. Comebacks by the Nationals on back-to-back days became an annoyance for fans. Still with good weather and a sure fire starter in Jeff Samardzija the Cubs rebounded on Easter Sunday. A sac fly by Alfonso Soriano in the 4th got Chicago blue on the board. Later another hit by the left fielder drove in the second run.

Jeff Samardzija did more than what was needed for the win. He hit an 110 pitch count into the 9th, nearly capitalizing on a complete game. Yielding only 4 hits and one earned run through 8 quality innings the big right-hander played well to the home crowd's approval. It wasn't until a error from Starlin Castro in the 9th off a Ryan Zimmerman ground ball put a bit of uncertainity into the air. The next batter, Adam LaRoche connected on a 2-run homer to make a 4-3 game after the Cubs got 2 insurance runs with an RBI double by Castro and a line drive single for a run off Ian Stewart's bat.

Carlos Marmol, having stinging outings in the opening series, came in to relieve Samardzija with 1 out to record. His mechanics and control looked off as in the previous 2 games at Wrigley. Luckily he got a pop-up to end the game. As a result the starter, Samardzija picked up his first win. Kerry Wood and Marmol must be reliable in the coming months ahead as they both were shaky prior to Sunday. The rest of the bullpen will probably see enough action to get tested in the next series against the Brewers. Chicago needs to pick up the intensity to give proper run support for the starting pitchers.

All and all the Cubs didn't prove much in the opening series versus the Nats. They definitely should have got a sweep. They'll really have to strengthen the bullpen and find good results from a platoon outfield. Fans expect to see smart improvements. The Cubs under new manager Dale Sveum have to find ways to pack their offense with rally hitters and have the bullpen be under control. It won't be easy in April where they play the Cardinals on the road and at home plus contend in the division with the hard-hitting Reds and Brewers.