Manager Lou Piniella was given an almost entirely new bullpen this year, and it's starting to concern him. Piniella watched Thursday as Cubs relievers couldn't hold a lead for Sean Marshall, who left with Chicago holding a 4-3 edge over St. Louis after five innings.
The Cardinals went on to win 7-4. Piniella was asked if it was too early to be concerned. "Too early?" he said. "It's 4:30 in the afternoon."
In the first part of the season, Piniella has been upset with his relievers giving up walks. So far this season, Cubs relief pitchers have given up 20 walks in 31 innings.
"All we can do is preach," he said.
Aaron Heilman suffered a blown save in the sixth, when he gave up a game-tying homer to Khalil Greene. David Patton, a Rule 5 pick trying to stick with the Cubs, allowed two walks (one intentional) and one hit. He was charged with two runs, as Neal Cotts allowed an inherited runner to score on a hit. Angel Guzman gave up a homer to Brian Barden in the ninth.
Only Carlos Marmol returns from the bullpen that opened the 2008 season, and Piniella is still learning what he has. However, his patience appears to be wearing thin.
CARDINALS 7, CUBS 4: Kosuke Fukudome's three-run homer in the fifth put the Cubs ahead 4-3, but the bullpen allowed the Cardinals a run in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth. Sean Marshall made his first start of the season, giving up seven hits and three runs in five innings. The Cubs offense didn't manage a hit over the final three innings against the St. Louis bullpen.
