Schuster: Cubs Drop Opening Series
By David Schuster-
Mike Quade called it a roller coaster game and he was absolutely right as the Cubs came from ahead to lose to the Pirates 5-4, Sunday.
In the end, Carlos Marmol gave up the winning runs in the 9th just one day after he struck out the side for a save. Starlin Castro didn't help matters in the 9th making an ill advised throw to first on a ball he should have not thrown. But, Marmol walked the first batter and that has been a bugaboo in his career. And though Castro had the bad play in that frame he also was the offensive star with three hits which included a pair of legged out triples.
Matt Garza made his first start at Wrigley Field and notched a career high 12 strikeouts. He also allowed a dozen hits (all singles) and was incredibly efficient with his pitches as 80 of his 106 were for strikes.
Alfonso Soriano hit the team's first home run on the season and Carlos Pena had a big two run double but Marlin Byrd (off to a .143 start) ended the game hitting into a double play.
Castro hit lead off for only the 2nd time in his big league career and Quade says you might see him there periodically if both Koske Fukodome and Jeff Baker are both out of the lineup.
