rockin500
03-15-2003, 01:45 AM
MESA, Ariz. -- Carlos Zambrano is learning how to pick up the pace, and that should benefit both the Cubs and the 21-year-old right-hander.
Working quickly and purposefully, Zambrano tossed five scoreless innings Friday in a split-squad game against the Oakland A's to improve his spring record to 1-1.
"When you work hard and have a program and goals on the mound, it's great," said Zambrano, who struck out three, walked three and yielded just a pair of doubles to Oakland's Adam Melhuse.
"My first two outings were slow and [pitching coach Larry Rothschild] told me I should come out hungry and aggressive. It's better for me. I feel very good and my arm feels good," said Zambrano, who set the tempo for the brisk 2-hour, 11-minute contest at HoHoKam Park.
Zambrano, who split time in the starting rotation and the bullpen last season, appears destined for the No. 5 spot this season behind Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Shawn Estes.
"I don't have to worry because I have a job," Zambrano said. "I have to be more in command and my goal is to win 20 games this year."
Zambrano was 4-8 last season with a 3.66 earned-run average in 16 starts.
Handyman
Zambrano also was on top of his game defensively Friday, starting a double play in the fourth inning when he made a barehanded grab of Jermaine Dye's one-hopper, whirled and fired to second.
"I have like four plays in my career like that," Zambrano said. "That's just reaction on the mound. I know that I have a glove to use. But you have to make the play no matter what."
Cubs manager Dusty Baker would like to see all of his pitchers work as efficiently as Zambrano did Friday. He also praised the scoreless work of pitchers Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth and Dave Veres.
"They all threw the ball excellently," Baker said. "Outside of a couple of walks it was a perfect game for our young pitchers. Not bad for your No. 5 starter. He is showing enthusiasm; he wants to be good."
Flu bug
Wood and Rod Beck experienced relapses of cold and flu-like symptoms, leaving Wood's scheduled start Saturday against Anaheim in doubt.
"They released him from the hospital and they tell me he is feeling better," Baker said.
In addition, Mark Prior had been scheduled to pitch Friday against Cubs minor leaguers, but he took a pass.
"I am not feeling so good today," Prior said. "There has been a lot of sickness going around in this locker room, and I guess it's my turn now."
Baker has managed to steer clear of illness. He credits a healthy diet of fruit and vitamins.
First and goal
Eric Karros started at first base Friday. Back problems and then bronchitis had limited him previously to two at-bats. The former Dodger was hitless in three at-bats, reaching once on an error.
"It was productive for me to just get out there and see live pitching," he said. "Now it's just a matter of getting out there and getting some game experience. Mentally I was where I wanted to be, but physically I couldn't pull the trigger a few times. But that will come."
Baker said Karros is on a "crash course" to return to his old form.
"It's hard to make up a couple of weeks in one game," said Baker, who also plans to play Karros on Saturday against Anaheim.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-030314cubs,1,2881399.story?coll=cs%2Dhome%2Dheadli nes
Working quickly and purposefully, Zambrano tossed five scoreless innings Friday in a split-squad game against the Oakland A's to improve his spring record to 1-1.
"When you work hard and have a program and goals on the mound, it's great," said Zambrano, who struck out three, walked three and yielded just a pair of doubles to Oakland's Adam Melhuse.
"My first two outings were slow and [pitching coach Larry Rothschild] told me I should come out hungry and aggressive. It's better for me. I feel very good and my arm feels good," said Zambrano, who set the tempo for the brisk 2-hour, 11-minute contest at HoHoKam Park.
Zambrano, who split time in the starting rotation and the bullpen last season, appears destined for the No. 5 spot this season behind Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Shawn Estes.
"I don't have to worry because I have a job," Zambrano said. "I have to be more in command and my goal is to win 20 games this year."
Zambrano was 4-8 last season with a 3.66 earned-run average in 16 starts.
Handyman
Zambrano also was on top of his game defensively Friday, starting a double play in the fourth inning when he made a barehanded grab of Jermaine Dye's one-hopper, whirled and fired to second.
"I have like four plays in my career like that," Zambrano said. "That's just reaction on the mound. I know that I have a glove to use. But you have to make the play no matter what."
Cubs manager Dusty Baker would like to see all of his pitchers work as efficiently as Zambrano did Friday. He also praised the scoreless work of pitchers Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth and Dave Veres.
"They all threw the ball excellently," Baker said. "Outside of a couple of walks it was a perfect game for our young pitchers. Not bad for your No. 5 starter. He is showing enthusiasm; he wants to be good."
Flu bug
Wood and Rod Beck experienced relapses of cold and flu-like symptoms, leaving Wood's scheduled start Saturday against Anaheim in doubt.
"They released him from the hospital and they tell me he is feeling better," Baker said.
In addition, Mark Prior had been scheduled to pitch Friday against Cubs minor leaguers, but he took a pass.
"I am not feeling so good today," Prior said. "There has been a lot of sickness going around in this locker room, and I guess it's my turn now."
Baker has managed to steer clear of illness. He credits a healthy diet of fruit and vitamins.
First and goal
Eric Karros started at first base Friday. Back problems and then bronchitis had limited him previously to two at-bats. The former Dodger was hitless in three at-bats, reaching once on an error.
"It was productive for me to just get out there and see live pitching," he said. "Now it's just a matter of getting out there and getting some game experience. Mentally I was where I wanted to be, but physically I couldn't pull the trigger a few times. But that will come."
Baker said Karros is on a "crash course" to return to his old form.
"It's hard to make up a couple of weeks in one game," said Baker, who also plans to play Karros on Saturday against Anaheim.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-030314cubs,1,2881399.story?coll=cs%2Dhome%2Dheadli nes