A New Marshall in Town

View my photos from today

The funky Arizona weather continues - a beautiful sunny day turns cool as rain showers ended today's game after 6 innings with the Cubs and the Brewers tied at 4.

11,483 were on hand to witness Cubs pitcher Sean Marshall get his first starting assignment this spring, as he vies for the 5th spot in the Cubs rotation. The lanky leftie is doing his best to stay up with the big boys by turning in another solid performance today, in 3 innings he gave up 2 hits, no runs, walked 1 batter, with 2 K's. The 23 year old Marshall has looked very confident and has not allowed a run this spring in 6 and 1/3 innings pitched. Aramis Ramirez kept up his torrid spring, going 2 for 2 with a couple RBI's. Juan Pierre went 2 for 3, using his speed to score 2 runs. Ronny Cedeno hit a 2 run Jack.

Earlier in the day, when the sun was out and the Cubs were doing some infield and bp, catcher Henry Blanco was showing his fielding prowess working at 2^nd base, and turning double plays. Taking Blanco's throws at first base was Cubs Hall of Fame member Ryne Sandberg. No worries about Blanco wanting to become an infielder as they were just messing around and having a good time. That's the kind of thing you see often in spring training. You also see many pitchers just standing around in the outfield during bp, but not Carlos Zambrano who was running around, fielding fly balls- he truly seems to enjoy playing the game.