3/7 White Sox 8, Cubs 3
Paul Konerko hit a pair of solo home runs and Adam Dunn hit a monster two-run shot to power the White Sox to an 8-1 victory Thursday over the Cubs. White Sox starter Jose Quintana gave up one run on two hits and one walk over 3 2/3 innings, striking out four in front of 10,647, the largest crowd of the spring at HoHoKam Stadium.
David DeJesus doubled to lead off the Cubs first and scored one out later on Nate Schierholtz’s triple off Quintana. The White Sox tied the game in the third when Jared Mitchell hit a bunt single and scored one out later on Gordon Beckham’s double.
Konerko connected off Carlos Villanueva, who was making his third Cactus League start. The right-hander, who will open the season in the Cubs rotation because of injuries to Matt Garza and Scott Baker, gave up two runs on six hits over four innings.
“Konerko, what can I say?” Villanueva said. “I thought that first hit he got [a single in the second] was a very good pitch down and away and the homer he hit, I was very surprised it went out but I threw the ball exactly where I wanted to throw it, it was up and in on his hands.
“That’s Konerko. That’s him,” Villanueva said. “Hopefully, [the wind] is blowing in at Wrigley and he’ll pop up to left.”
Jeff Keppinger doubled to open the White Sox sixth against Barret Loux and Dunn launched the next pitch to right for his second spring home run. Konerko, who has 20 career regular season homers against the Cubs, followed with his second blast of the game to go ahead, 5-1.
Cubs closer Carlos Marmol was unable to finish an inning, and pulled after giving up one hit, walking two and throwing a wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning.
“He was just kind of missing with his slider, his fastball was just missing,” Dale Sveum said of Marmol. “It wasn’t like he was awful by no means. He just got the pitch count up. The last guy [Bryan Anderson] laid off some pretty good sliders down and in. He put together a pretty good at-bat there.”
In four spring games, Marmol has given up four hits and walked four over 3 2/3 innings. But Sveum says the right-hander has good command of his pitches.
“It’s been way better than last year at this time,” Sveum said.
– Carrie Muskat
mlblogsmuskat1
Carlos mechanics are just terrrrible–falling off on every pitch to the first base side in an exaggerated fashion. The buzz in the crowd when he pitches is so negative and Carlos knows it–truly believe a new club would be in his own interest.
It would also save all of us a ton on our heart meds! Every time Marmol pitches I have to walk away from the TV or take a pill! Don’t we find out today about who is the first cut of the players? I am hoping we keep Sappelt. He’s got zip.
Most writers assume Marmol will be traded soon–Detroit latest gossip. He can be almost un-hittable when he gets the ball over–falls behind in the count and then has to come down the middle and that is backwards pitching. All pitching coaches have egos and there is one out there just waiting to correct his mechanics. Don Cooper is really good but his bullpen is loaded. Maybe Greg Maddux and his brother with Texas would like to try–Greg all ready knows him well. The good thing about Carlos is that he is so strong–even with these atrocious mechanics he shows no wear or tear. We should get something decent in return. Our bullpen is pretty darn strong without him.