Silva caps solid spring
MESA, Ariz. - Carlos Silva will start his first regular-season game for the Cubs next Friday at Cincinnati, but as far as spring training goes, he'll consider it mission accomplished.
Silva enjoyed another strong start Thursday, going 5 shutout innings of 6-hit ball in the Cubs' 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies in the HoHoKam Park finale.
After a rough first start, Silva wound up 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in the Cactus League.
"I'm very happy because I think I learned a lot of stuff," said Silva, whom the Cubs obtained in a trade with Seattle for outfielder Milton Bradley. "I feel I learned a lot of stuff, not only mechanical or some pitches, but mentally. I'm feeling more strong mentally."
Silva was 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA for the Mariners last year. For his career, he's 60-64 with a 4.72 ERA. He enjoyed his best years with the Minnesota Twins, but he says he's feeling like he has a fresh start with the Cubs.
"Since I got here, that's one of my big differences," he said. "New team. First time. I don't have a lot of negative things on my mind. I know I can pitch. Sometimes, you put so much pressure on your mind. Everything is going well. So let's keep it that way."
Manager Lou Piniella seems happy with Silva.
"He's had a good spring, hasn't he?" Piniella said. "He came to camp with a purpose - to win himself a rotation spot. He pitched really well all spring. He's worked hard. It's paid off for him."
Lilly update: Lefty Ted Lilly will pitch Sunday morning in a minor-league game as he continues his rehab from shoulder surgery. He worked 3 scoreless innings in his last minor-league game and said he threw all his pitches. He'll likely stay in Arizona until the Cubs get home from their season-opening road trip. He'll then rejoin the Cubs in Chicago. It's possible he could start April 19 in New York.
Cheers: Left fielder Alfonso Soriano went 3-for-3 with his second homer of the spring. He's batting .278.
"That made my day," Lou Piniella said. "Made my day. That's it. Made my day. I can enjoy a nice margarita tonight. Made my day."
Piniella said that Soriano and catcher Geovany Soto (. 229, no homers) looked at film with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and then went to the batting cages to work earlier Thursday.
This and that: Lefty Tom Gorzelanny will stay in Arizona after the Cubs leave for Atlanta on Saturday. He'll work in a minor-league game Sunday because he won't start until April 10 at Cincinnati. - Reliever James Russell, who made the club as a rookie, will switch from uniform No. 76 to No. 40. Russell's dad, former reliever Jeff Russell, wore No. 40 in the big leagues. - Reliever Jeff Gray came up from minor-league camp and pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit and a walk. He battled groin problems most of the spring, but the Cubs say he's throwing well now. ... The attendance of 10,005 gave the Cubs a HoHoKam park spring total of 152,493 in 14 dates for an average of 10,892, best in the Cactus League.