The two things bugging manager Lou Piniella most have been the Cubs' defense and walks issued by his pitchers, particularly his relievers.
In Thursday night's 8-2 loss to the Marlins, the Cubs committed three errors, two by Ryan Theriot. The Cubs walked six batters in that game and 10 the previous day in Arizona. In Friday's 8-6 victory over the Marlins, six Cubs pitchers combined for nine walks. "Larry and I talk about that," Piniella said, referring to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. "We're walking a lot of people. Larry's working on it. He's not happy with that situation."
And Piniella has not been happy with the defense for much of the year, saying the Cubs have been sloppy at times.
"Look, you've got to have good defensive play," he said. "It all starts with good defensive play because, invariably, it helps your pitching be a lot better. So when you're not catching the ball, it makes it very tough. You're going to have to score more runs, and your pitchers are going to have to pitch better. Everything's magnified."
The Cubs tightened things up Friday, with no errors.
CUBS 8, MARLINS 6: SS Ryan Theriot hit his first career grand slam in the sixth inning to rally the Cubs from a 5-2 deficit. RHP Rich Harden lasted only 3 2/3 innings, but rookie RHP David Patton worked two scoreless innings of relief to earn his first major league win.
