Chicago Cubs Notes, Quotes
by Sports Xchange
--RHP Carlos Marmol picked up his first victory of the season Sunday against no losses. It was the third time in three days Marmol worked. Manager Lou Piniella has shown a penchant for using Marmol often, even in games in which the Cubs have had comfortable leads. It's a good bet Marmol will sit Monday against San Diego.
--RHP Sean Gallagher made his first major-league start Sunday. Gallagher, a starter in the minor leagues, gave the Cubs 4 1/3 creditable innings. Gallagher opened the season as a starter for Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines), going 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA. The Cubs see him as a starter long term. He worked in eight games as a reliever for the Cubs last year, earning one save.
--LHP Scott Eyre made his season debut Saturday and picked up the victory in relief as the Cubs beat the Diamondabacks 7-2. Eyre had not pitched this season because of a bone chip in his pitching elbow. The 35-year-old Eyre also says he has arthritis.
BY THE NUMBERS: 168 -- The Cubs took 168 walks into this week (36 games). At that pace, they would draw 756 bases on balls for the season. The club record is 650, set in 1975. This trend continues to be a marked departure for a team that valued free-swinging. The Cubs now are balancing aggressiveness and selectivity. The Cubs had 113 walks through 36 games last year.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was a little scared because it's a little cold, but I think I'm OK. I just want to feel comfortable with my legs." -- Soriano on continuing to be cautious with his legs.
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