Cubs Down D-Backs Again 6-5

The Chicago Cubs have now won two games in a row. Yesterday they came from behind to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5. This was despite losing starter Andrew Cashner to a tightened shoulder. He is undergoing an MRI today. The Cubs continued their timely hitting. In fact, the Cubs continued their winning ways with a combination of hitting, pitching and base running. What's going on in Chicago?

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the Chicago Cubs' website titled "Resilient Cubs prevail after Cashner's injury." I should hasten to add we don't know there is an injury yet. He was just feeling "tightness."

The Cubs had back-to-back two-run innings in their half of the second and third.

The Pitching:

Andrew Cashner showed what he could do. While all Cubs fans hope he has not sustained an injury, we can all be excited about what we saw yesterday. Cashner has placement and speed and had only given up one run before being lifted in the sixth due to "tightness in the right shoulder."

On an equally exciting note, while Arizona made a comeback against the Cubs' bullpen, Sean Marshall held the Arizona team in check, giving top relievers Carolos Marmol and Kerry Wood a rest and Marmol no small amount of hassle when he got the save. We have depth!

The Base Running:

I mentioned in a report yesterday that Cubs Manager Mike Quade had the pitchers practicing their bunting. This "back to the basics" mentality paid off, as Cashner bunted and sacrificed the runners on first and second. They ultimately scored, and one of those runs was the difference in the win. It was their catcher making a poor throw rather than ours. We won in large part on basics.

The Hitting:

Despite a slow start this season, Marlon Byrd got an RBI double to give the Cubs the game-winning run. However, this was after Starlin Castro got a couple of key hits and Tyler Colvin, who was starting at first base, for an injured Carlos Pena.

Today the Cubs will go for three in a row and a sweep of Arizona. I think they have a great chance.

Reference:

Chicago Cubs Website, Carrie Muskat, "Resilient Cubs prevail after Cashner's injury"