Cubs Win 5-1

Today the Cubs beat the Giants and improved their record to 3-1 this spring. I know it is spring training and doesn't mean a thing; I am not even getting excited about the record, just stating it.

First thing about the game is that the Giants had only 1 projected starter out in the field for them today, though they did throw pitchers (Worrell, Fassero, Correia. Liriano (maybe)) that will be on the team against the Cubs today. I especially enjoyed the game because I got to see Rich Hill start today (drafted him in IBL). His curve ball just drops out of the sky, which he seemed to have ok control with today, but his fastball was a little off. It seemed at times he tried to overthrow it and did not have much control of it. With Hill throwing a lot of curves in the dirt today Jake Fox should get mention for doing a good job in keeping the ball in front of him the entire time.

Jerry Hairston Jr. got hit in the head in the 1st inning today by Kevin Correia. He was removed from the game and taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. It looked like he was telling the trainer that he was alright leaving the field, but we should know by morning and I would imagine Jerry might have a migraine tomorrow.

Other Notes about Players:
Restovich hit a ball deep for a double to the opposite field today which won't hurt his cause in trying to make the Cubs (which I hope he does).
Angel Pagan did a nice job going 2-3 at the plate and stealing 2 bases today, he is a long shot to make the team out of camp, but it is nice to see he might be useful in the future as a 4th-5th outfielder.

Brandon Sing had a double today and looked ok defensively out there.

Marquis Grissom also hit a double and that might go a long way to helping his cause make the Cubs as he is a Baker favorite.

One thing the Cubs have been doing this spring that is impressive is get hits with runners in scoring position, something that they could not do all last year. Another thing I noticed today is that they had an easier time today getting the runner from 2nd to 3rd with 1 or no outs, the biggest killer of their offense in 2005. Hopefully the Cubs can continue this trend into the 2006 season as it will mean the difference between a .500 team and a contender.