Cubs’ Garza stays strong, gets victory
Matt Garza never looks happy about coming out of a ballgame. Usually, the cameras will catch Garza muttering into his glove as he walks off the field.
Garza made it all the way to 7⅔ innings before coming out of Monday’s 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. The hard-luck starter of the Cubs’ staff came away with the victory to improve to 8-10 with a 3.52 ERA.
Garza gave up a first-inning run and unearned runs in each of the seventh and eighth.
With one out in the eighth, he gave up a double to Brandon Phillips. He got Drew Stubbs looking before an error on Starlin Castro allowed Joey Votto to reach and Phillips to score, cutting the lead to 4-3.
Manager Mike Quade came out but left Garza in to face Jay Bruce. Garza walked him, and that was that. James Russell came in from the bullpen to get the final out of the inning.
“I know the situation,” Garza said. “It’s 4-3 with two outs and the 4-hole hitter up. It probably would be the best time to put a fresh arm in … I was pleased that he let me go after Bruce, and I just messed that up.
“The toughest part is trying to control my own emotions. I’m not going to worry about anybody else. I got to control me.”
Cashner’s back: Pitcher Andrew Cashner came off the 60-day disabled list after a long rehab from a strained right rotator cuff. Cashner finished a good minor-league rehab Sunday with a perfect inning at Class AAA Iowa.He had been out since making his first start of the season in early April.He will finish the season in the bullpen. Beyond that, Cashner#146;s role isn#146;t certain, whether it#146;s as a starter or as a reliever. Cashner will go the Arizona Fall League after the season.#147;The main thing I really wanted to work on was my fastball command down there,#148; Cashner said. #147;It#146;s there right now. I#146;m feeling good. I have a lot of confidence right now and throwing good breaking balls and good changeups. It#146;s been good.#147;I feel like I#146;m 100 percent and ready to roll.#148;Gone, not forgotten: Former Cubs manager Dusty Baker returned to Chicago for the first time since his old boss, former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, was fired.Baker was asked his thoughts.#147;I don#146;t know,#148; he said. #147;I haven#146;t been here in awhile. It happens. Part of this game. I#146;m sure some more changes are coming.#148;Baker also was asked if Chicago is a tough place to win. The Cubs made the playoffs once under Baker, getting to within five outs of the World Series in 2003.#147;You ask me this question all the time,#148; he said. #147;I#146;ve got the same answer. I don#146;t know why. I tried to tell them. They ran me out of town.#148;He also said he had no advice for the Cubs.#147;I can#146;t give them any advice on how to beat me,#148; he said. #147;I had answers when I was here. They didn#146;t listen to me.#148;