With 16 Errors in Seven Games, Struggling Cubs Beat Padres, 9-4

It is hard to believe but baseball is in its spring throes of preseason. It seems like football just ended and in fact is still going due in large part to the bargaining talks. My Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres, 9-4. Of course, it does not have the same intensity as regular season for the fans however it has a lot of intensity for the players. Some are fighting for a spot on the team and the pitchers are fighting for a spot on the regular rotation.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the Chicago Cubs' website titled "Byrd, Soriano lead Cubs past Padres." There are a couple of routine names for the Cubs, Byrd and Soriano.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd had two doubles and scored three runs while outfielder Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run single with two outs. Along with their hitting came reasonable pitching by Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells.

I am a little surprised. The Cubs are struggling a bit with a 2-5 record in preseason. New Chicago Manager Mike Quade is a different type of coach. He comes from managing many, many seasons in the minor leagues where basics are the key phase of the game. The minors are where players are supposed to make their errors as they learn the right way to play ball. One of the reasons that the Cubs are 2-5 is the fact they have committed 16 errors. That's an average of well over two errors per game -- unacceptable, even this early in the season.

Errors were the reason that a few games ago pitcher Carlos Silva and third baseman Aramis Ramirez got into an altercation in the dugout. Ramirez dropped a popup which was followed by a two-run homer. That's the way things happen.

It is of course extremely early in the season. However errors and shoving matches between regular players is not something a fan likes to see. However it is good to see that starters like Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano are hitting and hitting in clutch situations.

The Cubs are going to have their hands full this year but they finished on a very strong note last year-perhaps it will carry over.

References:

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat, "Silva, Ramirez involved in dugout skirmish"

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat, "Byrd, Soriano lead Cubs past Padres"