2 min read General Cubs Information

3-3 on 3/31

By Tim Sheridan
March 31, 2012

Maholm solid today

I’m not going to do the usual game recap today, instead here are just a few thoughts. I don’t have a sister, but I hear kissing her would be like today’s game – Cubs 3 Angels 3, final in 10 innings. Our first pitch was at 1:06pm today. At 1:08pm, I thought to myself, here goes, the first time I would have to make an infamous (at least for a Cubs fan) announcement , ‘Now Batting, Albert Pujols’. At 1:08 and 15 seconds, Pujols launched the first pitch he’s ever seen at Hohokam Park into the left centerfield berm for a 2 run homer. I’m sure glad he’s not in the Cubs division anymore.

After Pujol’s homer in the 1st, Paul Maholm settled down and pitched well for the rest of his 4.2 innings, only allowing 3 hits total while striking out 6 Halo’s. Cubs relief pitchers Wood, Lopez, Marmol, Dolis and Russell all pitched well.

Cubs first base coach Dave McKay and Pujols exchanged a pre-game hug. With McKay having been the Cardinal’s first base coach for 16 years before coming over to the Cubs, those two have spent a lot of time together.

The boys in the booth played The Heat is On by Glenn Frey between innings, which was pretty dang accurate as we hit 90 degrees for the first time this spring. Our old pal LaTroy Hawkins got into the game for the Angels. Cubs fans enjoyed a snicker, jeer, guffaw or heckle at Ol Albert’s expense, as he ran for the dugout at the end of the fourth inning. To Albert’s surprise and dismay, there were only 2 outs. That made the afternoon worthwhile for me.

Baker applies tag in rundown with Angels Trumbo

David DeJesus had a solid single today, that’s encouraging. Darwin Barney had an error at short, not as encouraging. Ian Stewart stole a base, a bit of a surprise, but the Cubs are running more. Steve Clevenger throws out a couple Angel would-be base thieves. Joe Mather hits the ball hard. Starlin Castro, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto, Marlon Byrd enjoyed a day off.

Due to a very full press box with multiple broadcasts, Angels broadcaster’s Mark Gubicza and Victor Rojas spent the afternoon in my booth. Gubicza helped the Kansas City Royals win the World Series in 1985 and pitched in the majors for 14 seasons. Victor Rojas is the son of former major-league player and manager Coolie Rojas. Gubicza told us it was Angels Manager Mike Scioscia’s policy this spring to not let his pitchers swing the bat in games. And so Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards struck out three times looking, never taking a cut. This also meant that he personally left five base runners stranded.

Cubs get to play the Angels again tomorrow in Tempe, and I am going to relax and watch from the stands. Here’s some photos from John Antonoff. Enjoy

Sutcliffe and Pujols 
DeWitt can’t handle high throw

Marmol deals perfect inning  

Mather belts a double in the 5th inning
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