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Cubs Thu Apr 22 2010
Cubs Snap Four Game Skid Behind Silva's Quality Start
So far the acquisition of Carlos Silva has been paying dividends. In just his third start of the year Silva has a 2-0 record with an ERA under one at 0.95. As he did in his first two outings Silva has kept his team in the game and put them in position to win. Tonight was no different. Silva pitched six innings allowing only one run which came on a home run off the bat of Mets catcher Rod Barajas. While he was doing his job a certain $136 million outfielder was a double short in hitting for the cycle.
Alfonso Soriano who has received an earful from fans, the media and his manager went 3-for-4 in the Cubs 9-3 victory over the Metropolitans Wednesday night at Citi Field. Soriano hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning. His three hit night also included a triple, which Soriano hustled all the way around the bases instead of posing at home plate. He was criticized for posing Monday night after believing he had hit a home run which was actually a double. For one night Soriano showed his critics why he is being paid all those millions of dollars.
However, the biggest news of the night was neither Silva's performance or Soriano's offensive output. No, in fact it was that Manager Lou Piniella had announced that Carlos Zambrano would be moving to the bullpen to be the setup man in the seventh and eighth inning. It is a move that shocked many, but something needs to happen to solidify the bullpen. If it means putting a guy with experience in that role then so be it. Everything else hasn't worked out to this point so why not give it a shot.
Moving Z to the bullpen seems like a temporary fix until the Cubs can acquire someone via trade. They have a plethora of starting pitching so moving Z to the pen isn't as crazy as it seems. This move is all hinging on the successful return of Ted Lilly to the rotation. Lilly is expected to be the starter on Saturday against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
A positive note from this game was the offense woke up and scored some runs to support their starters solid outing. It was good to see Soriano respond to all the critics out there. Hopefully this is one of his patented hot-streaks that can carry the team for a few weeks. While offense showed some signs of life Aramis Ramirez continues to struggle. He is now 0-for-13 in this series. If they Cubs are going to hang with the Cardinals the whole season they are going to need Ramirez's bat to get out of this funk and fast.
They wrap up their series in New York tonight as Tom Gorzelanny (0-1, 1.93) will take the mound against the Mets Johan Santana (1-1, 3.00). Game time is at 6:10 p.m. CT.
