Manager Lou Piniella has taken a "tough love" approach with his players during a recent rough period.
Piniella read rookie right-hander Sean Gallagher the riot act Saturday and then turned around and praised Gallagher after he turned in six gutsy innings. While pointing to the spate of injuries that has slowed the Cubs, Piniella said those injuries aren't an excuse. At the same time, he's been praising his players for battling through them.
It all may be part of a grand strategy of looking long term and winning players over for the stretch drive.
The Cubs have been without right-hander Carlos Zambrano, left fielder Alfonso Soriano, outfielder Reed Johnson and left-hander Scott Eyre in addition to having several players at less than 100 percent because of injuries. Piniella and the Cubs point to the fact that they're in first place and have expressed confidence that they'll be fine in the second half once everybody is 100 percent healthy.
WHITE SOX 5, CUBS 1: LHP Sean Marshall turned in a quality start, working seven innings and giving up three runs. But the offense couldn't get enough going against White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle, and the Cubs dropped all three this weekend. Manager Lou Piniella was ejected from a game for the first time this year for arguing a checked-swing call in the second inning. CF Jim Edmonds had two of the Cubs' seven hits.
