Cubs settle for a split as Dodgers take finale 8-2
Sean Marshall probably isn't long for the Cubs' starting rotation, and it has nothing to do with Sunday night's performance.
Marshall gave up 5 runs on 6 hits in the first inning, putting the Los Angeles Dodgers well on their way to an 8-2 victory at Wrigley Field.
It looks like Marshall will get 1 more start before Rich Harden returns to the starting rotation sometime next week. Then it's back to a familiar role.
"I see him back in the bullpen," manager Lou Piniella said before the game. "The only reason being is it gives us a lefty with experience out there. It improves our bullpen.
"Look, I feel just as comfortable with Marshall in the rotation. I've said that coming out of spring training. The problem is, we've got to look at the needs right now of the team."
The biggest "problem" is that with last week's demotion of Neal Cotts to the minor leagues, the Cubs are without an experienced left-hander in the bullpen. Jason Waddell pitched Sunday, marking the left-hander's major-league debut.
Marshall (3-4) has pitched well overall in the dual role this year and last.
As usual, he played the good soldier.
"Absolutely," he said. "If that's what happens when Rich Harden gets healthy and gets back in the rotation, that's the way it is. If I'm fortunate enough to get the ball and be able to pitch up here in Chicago with the Chicago Cubs, I'm going to have my best effort, whether it's in the bullpen or as a starter."
Although the Dodgers didn't hit the ball particularly hard, they began the game with 5 straight singles.
Juan Pierre led off with an infield single to short. Rafael Furcal followed with a hit-and-run grounder into right field. Orlando Hudson's single drove Pierre home, and Russell Martin followed with a broken-bat hit.
James Loney singled before Marshall struck out Matt Kemp. Mark Loretta drove 2 runs home with a double, and Jamie Hoffman hit a sacrifice fly.
"He didn't use his breaking ball at all," Piniella said. "I mentioned that to our pitching coach. He didn't use his breaking ball at all in the first inning."
Kemp homered off Marshall in the third. The Dodgers chased Marshall in the fifth, scoring twice.
The Cubs put across a couple of runs in the sixth on 2-run double by Reed Johnson against Dodgers starter Eric Milton (2-0)
The Cubs split four against the National League's best team, and their record dropped to 25-24. Still, Piniella seemed reasonably happy with his team as it headed into June. Asked if he was happy to see May end, Piniella managed some humor as his team went 15-13 for the month.
"I might be saying the same thing about June," he said. "I think things are going to turn out all right here, I really do. I think we've gone through the worst of it.
"When we get our people totally healthy, I think we're going to have a good run."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p> <p class="News"><b>Running it up:</b> Starting pitcher Sean Marshall threw 33 of his 72 pitches in the first inning, when the Dodgers scored 5 runs. Marshall lasted 4⅓ innings, his shortest start of the season.</p> <p class="News"><b>Good debut:</b> Rookie left-hander Jason Waddell made his major-league debut by relieving in the sixth. He struck out two and gave up 1 hit. Waddell has been in pro ball since 2001.</p> <p class="News"><b>Streaking:</b> Center fielder Reed Johnson doubled twice and singled over his first three times up, extending a hitting streak to six games.</p>