Marmol joins all-star parade

Playing a new game almost every day certainly leads to quick changes in fortune.

An 0-for-4, 4-strikeout goat one day. The game-winning hit and hero the next.

Or in Carlos Marmol's case, ninth-inning meltdown one day. All-star reliever the next.

Less than 24 hours after allowing 5 runs in the ninth inning and being booed off the mound against the Giants, Marmol found out he will replace teammate Kerry Wood (blister) on the all-star team.

"I was surprised," the 25-year-old right-hander said. "It's changed my mind so much. I already forgot about last night."

Marmol's selection adds more history to the Cubs' historic fist half. He's the eighth Cub selected - Wood and Alfonso Soriano will not play - tying the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates for most in National League history and just one off the record nine by the 1958 Yankees.

Both Marmol and Cubs manager Lou Piniella said being named an all-star can help the struggling Marmol regain his all-star form.

"It (the confidence) is going to be there," Marmol said. "When you're there, you think you're an all-star."

"I think it will be good for him," Piniella said. "Good for his confidence, good for his psyche ...You know, outside of a couple bad performances, for the most part he's been nails. I'm happy for him and it's deserved."

Marmol earned the selection because he is the relief pitcher with the next highest vote total from the players.

He certainly started the season like an all-star, with a 1.04 ERA on May 14 after 2 scoreless innings against San Diego. He had 35 strikeouts in 26 innings at that point, and his ERA still stood at 1.75 through May.

It's been a different story since, with a 13.50 ERA in his last 12 outings to balloon his season ERA to 4.13.

Just before the news broke about the all-star selection, Piniella told the media that rest the next four days is the best way for Marmol to end his slump.

After finding out Marmol is going to New York, Piniella was asked if he wanted him to pitch Tuesday night.

"We'll see," Piniella said. "(Manager Clint) Hurdle will make that decision, as far as getting him in the game or not. But I think the experience will be great for him and you can take a look at the look on his face. He's happy, and we're happy for him."