Silva Stakes Claim in Cubs Win

Silva mowing down A’s today

A fabulous day at Hohokam Stadium with great weather (sunny and low 70’s with a nice breeze) and a Cubs 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. I don’t know if Carlos Silva had heard or read that his early spring self-proclaimed spot in the rotation was on the line, but today he sure pitched like it was.

Silva may be giving Mike Quade a tougher decision with the 5th starter but having guys pitch well seems better than making it an easy decision because guys can’t get the job done. And Silva sure got the job done today. After allowing 2 of the first 3 batters of the game hits which plated Oakland’s lone run, Silva went on to retire 17 of the next 18 batters, allowing only a Ryan Sweeney single in the 3rd. Casey Coleman and Marcos Mateo tossed scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th respectively. Kerry Wood came in to a loud cheer and partial standing ovation to close in the 9th. Woody dispensed the top of the A’s order 1-2-3 finishing up this quick 2 hour, 11 minute game and sending most of the 9,061 fans away happy.

Wood 1-2-3

After Oakland scored their run in the top of the 1st, the Cubs came back with two of their own in the bottom of the inning with Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano both delivering 2 out, RBI singles. This turned out to be all the Cubs would need with today’s outstanding pitching. Reed Johnson in left and Fernando Perez in center both played the whole game with Johnson notching a couple hits and two runs scored, while Perez was 0-3 at the plate. It looks like Johnson will be the 5th outfielder while Perez is likely headed to Iowa.

Jeff Baker who played 2nd base made a nice play ranging far to his right in the hole making an acrobatic spinning maneuver throwing out A’s Mark Ellis. Tyler Colvin played 1st base and looked comfortable, he made a nice scoop on a low throw in the dirt by Aramis Ramirez after a Conor Jackson grounder.

While batting Carlos Silva had his bat snap in two on a late swing and the sharp barrel end impaled the infield grass, protruding up in the air half way between home and the mound. For some reason our umpires today didn’t show up until after 1:03 several minutes later than usual. No truth to the rumor they were late because they found out about the Hohokam’s free beer in the Ho Room. I met up with Corey and Kurt from Ivy Envy out of the Quad Cities. They were nice enough to interview me for their fun and informative website which is all about the Cubs including blogs, photos, and podcasts.

Silva snapped off

Former Cubs ace Rick Sutcliffe was at the park today preparing for tomorrow’s ESPN2 broadcast of the Cubs versus White Sox game at Hohokam. Tomorrow’s game will start at 2:05 pm Arizona time due to the broadcast.

Today’s photos by BOS’s John Antonoff.

The results