Spring Training Battle Watch: March 11, 2010

The Chicago Cubs hung on to win against the San Diego Padres’ minor league squad yesterday. What’s that you say? That lineup was mostly Padre regulars? Yikes for them.

  • Sound the freaking alarm because we’re all screwed. Carlos Silva threw three scoreless innings, and we’re already being told about how much better he feels, how he’s got a new delivery, and so on. Never mind the fact that he gave up four hits and a walk in those three innings – five base runners in three innings is bad, for those who aren’t hip on WHIP – he’s getting paid like whoa, and he’s going to make this team.
  • The other pitchers competing for spots struggled as well, but didn’t give up many earned runs thanks to a cavalcade of errors from the infielders. Esmailin Caridad, trying to nail down the 8th inning role vacated by Angel Guzman, gave up 3 runs in just over an inning, but none were earned. Jeff Stevens gave up three runs, none earned, in just two thirds of an inning.
  • Tyler Colvin continues to rake, this time playing right field, but Sam Fuld reminded everyone why he’s the presumptive favorite to land the other outfield bench spot (beside Xavier Nady) with a spectacular leaping catch in center field. At the plate, though, he went 1-4 with three strike outs.
  • You haven’t heard much about Kevin Millar in this space because, well, he hasn’t done much. He played some first base and went hitless with a walk. Huzzah chemistry!
  • OMG OMG OMG! Starlin Castro hit a home run! He’s the next A-Rod!
  • Chad Tracy, playing third base again, went 1-3.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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