Cubs Fri May 04 2012

Marmol Blows Save, Cubs Split Series With Reds

By Chad Ruter

A rainout Tuesday, a Jeff Samardzija gem Wednesday in a 3-1 win, and eight beautiful innings of shutout baseball by birthday boy Ryan Dempster combined with three solo homers had the Cubs just three outs away from their first sweep of the year (albeit a cheapy - but who cares).

Then they got Marmol'd.

Back-to-back walks, followed by an error from third baseman Ian Steward, single by Jay Bruce and a walk to Ryan Ludwick left the bases loaded with two runs already across and nobody out. Dale Sveum had seen enough of Carlos Marmol. Rafael Dolis was able to induce a game tying double play and a strikeout to get out of the inning, but gave up a game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss.

After the game, Sveum hinted at a change in the closer role, and who could blame him? Marmol has two blown saves and a loss (he dodged a blown save today because the tying run was given up by Dolis) to go along with his 6.23 ERA and 12 walks to just eight strikeouts.

"There's definitely the thought of (a change) now," Sveum said. "I can't lie to you."

There's no doubt the Cubs should go in a different direction at the closer spot, but it shouldn't have had to happen at the expense of yesterday's game. After walking the first two hitters, Sveum should've gone to the 'pen in an effort to win the game. Instead, he gave enough Marmol enough rope to tie himself up with. It cost the Cubs a win and momentum going into a home series against the Dodgers.

It's the first time this season the finger can be pointed at the manager for poor decision-making, and it most certainly won't be his last. It comes with the territory.

James Russell and the aforementioned Dolis are the front-runners for the closing job in the near term. Kerry Wood returned from the disabled list yesterday, but is going to be eased back into action with gigs in the sixth and seventh innings. It's also not known how long Marmol will have to work successfully in a setup role to earn his finishing job back.

"Throwing 3-0 sliders when you have three-run leads is just not acceptable," Sveum said. "Nothing else can happen except a two-run homer and nobody is on base. Somehow we have to make adjustments there to throw fastball in these situations."

Dolis has had control problems of his own this season, but he will probably get the call with a lead in the ninth to allow Sveum some flexibility with Russell (who's the only lefty in the bullpen after Scott Maine's demotion to make room for Wood)

Dempster was brilliant in his first start back from the DL. He lowered his ERA to 0.95, but still hasn't recorded his first win of the season.

A Cubs lineup that had struggled to hit for power before the series leaves Cincinnati with five bombs (all solo jobs). Warmer weather and no wind blowing in surely has helped a team desperate to get some easy runs.

Bryan LaHair homered in both games against the Reds, and has now hit a long ball in three consecutive games. Starlin Castro rocketed a shot over the centerfield wall in the first inning of yesterday's game to log his first homer of the year, and Geovany Soto also blasted one out in the fifth inning to put the Cubs ahead 3-0.

The Dodgers come to Wrigley Field for a three-game weekend series, and the Cubs are lucky to avoid reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, who has led his team to a victory in all but one game he's pitched (though he has just a 2-0 record personally). Chad Billingsley, Chris Capuano, and Aaron Harang will oppose Paul Maholm, Matt Garza, and Chris Volstad on Friday through Sunday respectively. With rain a potential issue all weekend, be sure to check the weather if you're heading to the ballpark.