Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 12, Mariners 7 – March 19, 2012

Today the Cubs got out to a first inning 7-0 lead before a certain starting pitcher offered that lead right back in short order. The Cubs added a bunch late, and brought home the win.

  • So, Travis Wood got destroyed to the tune of seven earned runs in two innings (7 hits, 3 homers, 2 walks, a wild pitch, and an error – seriously, it was disastrous). You’ve heard me emphasize repeatedly in this space over the past few weeks that Spring Training stats are to be taken with a grain of salt/small sample sizes/crappy other players/thin, elevated air/don’t know what is being worked on/etc./etc./etc. But, while Spring stats aren’t everything, neither are they nothing. I’m a Wood supporter long-term, but it matters that, today, he was trying his damnedest and he got lit up. Again. To Iowa, Travis. May we see you again in a few months, and then for a long time.
  • Jay Jackson threw four scoreless innings in relief of Travis Wood, and he’s made a strong case this Spring for a rotation spot in Iowa. That might not sound like a meaningful accomplishment, but with all the “depth,” that Iowa rotation is looking mighty crowded.
  • James Russell threw a couple scoreless, himself, but I doubt it matters – he’s got a job, despite Dale Sveum saying only Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and maybe Rafael Dolis have spots in the bullpen so far. As for the “other” lefty, Trever Miller threw a scoreless frame, but walked two in the process.
  • The lineup was full of a number of regulars, so there weren’t a lot of “battles” going on today. Welington Castillo went 2 for 3 with a double and Steve Clevenger went 1 for 2 with a double. In other words, there continues to be little separation between the two in the back-up catcher competition.
  • Joe Mather, who has all but locked up a spot on the bench, was 1 for 3, driving in a couple.
  • Blake DeWitt and Adrian Cardenas each went hitless in a couple plate appearances, but Cardenas took a walk. Alfredo Amezaga and Edgar Gonzalez got some hits late, but I’m thinking they aren’t going to find a spot available.
  • 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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