Camp, Russell deliver big outs for Cubs
It didn’t get any more clutch Tuesday than Cubs reliever Shawn Camp coming into the eighth inning and stranding a runner at third base while getting three outs.
And it couldn’t have been any more fitting than the Cubs’ best reliever, lefty James Russell, picking up his first professional save.
That’s how it played out in a 5-3 Cubs victory over the San Diego Padres.
Manager Dale Sveum has had to adjust, readjust and then adjust again with a bullpen that has suffered from injuries and inconsistency over the first two months of the season.
What it boils down to is that Camp and Russell lead the team in appearances with 24 each. They’re going to get the ball in most key situations.
Former closer Carlos Marmol came off the disabled list Monday, but interestingly, Sveum has yet to use him. The manager went so far Tuesday to say that he’d consider finesse guy Casey Coleman ahead of Marmol when it comes to closing games.
The pitchers in the pen say they’re remaining flexible.
“Everybody knows the deal,” said Russell, who has an ERA of 1.61. “You could be called at any time. Everybody’s got a good feel for everything, and they’re ready whenever.”
Russell said he’s proud to have notched a save, putting him only 185 behind his dad, Jeff Russell.
“Yeah, it’s definitely awesome to get that one out of the way,” Russell said. “I finally got one. He (Jeff Russell) has got probably got a hundred and a bunch. I’ve still got a little more work to do before I’m up to his level.”
Camp was a spring-training pickup who has paid off well. He got a comebacker, a lineout and a flyout in the eighth to strand the tying run at third. Sveum has said numerous times Camp possesses a “rubber arm.”
“Well, I don’t think there’s any rubber inside your arm, but it’s a good compliment,” Camp said. “I really appreciate it.”
Backstop business:
Catcher Steve Clevenger came off the disabled list a couple of days early after being out a month with an oblique strain.
Dale Sveum didn’t hesitate when asked how he’d use the rookie.
“Often,” the manager said. “We’ll ease into here at the beginning. He’ll play quite a bit once he gets his feet underneath and gets back into everyday shape. It will probably be two out of three, every other day, and two out of three, then see what happens.”
Clevenger, a left-handed batter who is 11-for-22, will share catching duties with veteran Koyie Hill until No. 1 catcher Geovany Soto comes back from arthroscopic knee surgery.
The Cubs optioned Blake Lalli to Class AAA Iowa on Tuesday. Sveum said it probably would be 10 days before the Cubs’ other rookie catcher, Welington Castillo, could play, as he recovers from a right-knee sprain.
This and that:
Alfonso Soriano is 27-for-90 (.300) in May with 7 doubles, 7 homers and 17 RBI. … David DeJesus extended a hitting streak to eight games with a seventh-inning single, while Starlin Castro extended his streak to seven with a fourth-inning single. … Joe Mather and Darwin Barney each hit 2 doubles. …
The Cubs have won back-to-back games for the fifth time this season and for the first time since May 13-14. They’ve won no more than two straight at any time this year.