Cubs Beat Reds 8-6 As Marmol Struggles
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — At least Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo and Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol have plenty of time to work out the kinks.
Arroyo was hit hard and Marmol also struggled during Chicago's 8-6 exhibition victory over Cincinnati on Monday.
Arroyo pitched two innings and was charged with four runs and six hits, including a monster home run by Alfonso Soriano. The crafty right-hander, who was 9-12 with a 5.07 ERA last season, struck out one and walked two.
"I faced 12 batters and they squared up six balls and the other balls they didn't square up were base hits and the umpire gave me a strike three that wasn't even a strike," said Arroyo, who is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in five spring innings. "That's not a good outing."
Reds manager Dusty Baker didn't seem too concerned.
"Arroyo's velocity was better," Baker said. "He didn't have location today. He'll get better. When (Arroyo) had problems last year it was walks and home runs. That's what got us today."
But there was some good to come out of it.
"It was a struggle out there, even physically I didn't feel real lively," Arroyo said. "It is nice sometimes to get runners on base in situations where you have to press in a real game. Where you have to dig deep and have to throw a fastball on the outer half to a lefty when you feel like you don't have great command.
"That feeling is something that needs to be worked through."
Marmol was touched up for the second outing in a row and knocked over a garbage can in the clubhouse after he left the mound. He gave up three runs and two hits in one inning.
The right-hander, who blew 10 save opportunities last season and finished with a 4.01 ERA, also was hit hard against Seattle on Thursday, when he yielded four earned runs and four hits while recording just two outs.
Cubs starter Paul Maholm, who had the flu early in camp, made his spring debut and allowed one run and two hits in two innings. The left-hander, who signed with Chicago over the winter, struck out one and walked none.
"It was good," Maholm said. "I was happy to get out there. You don't feel part of (spring training) until you get out there. I wish I would have gotten ahead of a few more guys. There were no walks and I was aggressive.
"I was good to go and I pitch when they tell me to. If they want me to take it a little slower that is fine. I got my bullpens in so as far as pitches and innings I am where I need to be."
Todd Frazier homered in the second inning for the Reds. Zack Cozart and Donald Lutz had two RBIs apiece.
The Cubs got another big day from Joe Mather, who is battling Tony Campana for the fifth outfield spot. Mather hit a three-run home run in the seventh to give Chicago a 7-6 lead and is batting .545 (6 for 11) this spring.
Soriano belted his fourth spring homer, and reserve catcher Blake Lalli also went deep for the Cubs.
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