Packed House in Windy Mesa

The sellout crowd of 12,668 fans packed into Hohokam today, witnessing a Cubs 8-6 loss to the Giants. Some of you may have seen the game on Comcast Sports Net, which had former pitcher Dan Plesac filling in for Bob Brenly, who had a family engagement this weekend.

If you didn’t see it on TV some Cubs highlights included a Felix Pie HR as well as a nice catch in CF with very windy conditions. Pie had a bit of a base running gaff, getting caught in between first and second for the 2nd out of the 8th inning. Non Roster invitee Andres Torres enterrd the game and promptly hit a 2 run HR, which won someone $100 in a game day giveaway. Eric Patterson had a double. Carlos Marmol looked strong again in his bid for the closing spot, throwing a 1,2,3 9th. Jose Ceda had a bit better outing than Thursday in Scottsdale, allowing one hit and no runs in an inning. Cubs starter Ted Lilly pitched two innings, allowing one run and 2 hits. Neal Cotts didn’t help his cause today as he gave up five runs on three hits and three walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Derrek Lee was interviewed by Harold Reynolds who now works for MLB.com before the game. Lee was showing off some batting techniques to the camera. Steve Stone was in the house today as was the WGN radio crew. Who says spring training games don’t mean much? The fans were on their feet in the 9th inning as the Cubs were trying to mount a comeback rally, after loading the bases an anticlimatic pop up ended the 3 hour and 8 minute game.

I did a short interview with Cubs announcer Len Kasper today, which I’ll be putting on the website sometime this week. I also got a chance to talk to some online community friends from Bleed Cubbie Blue, who were tailgating before the game. I hadn’t gotten over to the suites area of Hohokam until today and I noticed they have installed some new door coverings which are very cool. Photo’s to come.

Cubs head to Peoria, AZ tomorrow to take on the Mariners and then next up at Hohokam the Brew crew on Tuesday.