Padres at Cubs Game Recap 3/26/12

A run in the first and a run in the second.  That’s all it took for the Cubs to knock off the Padres yesterday.  Tim Stauffer went five innings, but took the loss as the offense couldn’t find a way to push across any runs.  While this was the second shut-out in the last three games for the Padres, there were some positives to take away from the game.

Will Venable got a lead-off shot as Cameron Maybin was given another day off.  He started in centerfield and went 2 for 4.  Matt Clark started at first base and picked up another hit, but he finished the game 1 for 4.  And Jaff Decker got a little more playing time, three at-bats in total.

Stauffer pitched five innings, gave up seven hits and one walk, and allowed the two runs.  The bullpen, consisting of Brad Brach, Ernesto Frieri, and Jason Ray combined to throw three innings of no-hit ball, giving up just one walk in the span.

For the Cubs, Paul Maholm – who was briefly linked to the Padres before going to Chicago – got the start and threw five innings of four-hit ball.  So far this spring, in 10 innings pitched, Maholm has a 0.90 ERA.  Bryan LaHair and Reed Johnson accounted for the Cubs’ two RBI.

The Padres will play split squad games today against the Dodgers and the Rangers.  Half the squad will take on the Dodgers at him in Peoria at 1:05 PT, the other half will travel to Surprise to face the Rangers at 1:05 PT.  Casey Kelly will get the start against the Dodger, and Cory Luebke will get the start against the Rangers.

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