The Cubs didn’t exactly set the town on fire when they signed free-agent outfielder Troy O’Leary in December, but the reserved veteran has been the Cubs’ most consistent hitter this spring.
O’Leary went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over San Francisco, and he leads the team in hits.
“It’s going to be a tough battle down to the wire, but we know O’Leary can play,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He can hit. This is probably the best game we’ve played overall.”
Baker’s father was in attendance for the first time since his son became Cubs manager. Giants fans treated their ex-leader like a returning war hero.
“I’m glad we put on a good show,” Baker said. “Outstanding pitching, good defense. It makes you feel great when you see good pitching and defense, and we scored enough to win.”
Focusing
The big picture is still a bit fuzzy, but Baker is getting to know the strengths and weaknesses after one week of Cactus League games.
“I’ve seen things I like,” he said. “Is it any clearer? No. I’d like to see [Alex] Gonzalez at short. I’d like to see him in the second spot. I know Bobby Hill is better than he’s playing. I’d like to see [Eric] Karros play so I can make a decision on him and [Hee Seop] Choi. I’d like to see [Mark] Grudzielanek play.
“The only thing that’s clear is a whole bunch of young guys get to play that we normally wouldn’t be playing that much.”
Karros, Sammy Sosa and Corey Patterson are still out with the flu, and Gonzalez has been sidelined since the start of camp with a sore right hamstring. Baker doesn’t know when Sosa will return, but he expects Gonzalez to play this weekend. Hill is 0-for-17 and struggling in the leadoff spot.
“He’s pressing not to impress me but to get on the board,” Baker said. “I told him, `You don’t have impress me. You’re here to satisfy God, family and yourself. Those are three entities you can’t fool. If you keep it simple in that way and give maximum effort, eventually you’ll respond.'”
Grudzielanek fallout
Some in Anaheim camp were surprised to hear Grudzielanek react to Bengie Molina’s blocking of the plate Tuesday by saying he “should have taken his head off.” Grudzielanek sprained his right ankle while sliding into Molina’s knees.
“I don’t think there’s any difference playing a spring-training game, a regular-season game or a World Series game,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “There is only one way to play the game. [Grudzielanek] plays the game as hard as anyone.
“If there were a double play to be broken up, he would be the first guy to do it. Bengie’s just playing the game hard.”
Baker agreed Molina was not in the wrong by going down on his knees.
“There was no greater plate blocker than their manager, Mike Scioscia.,” Baker said. “[Molina] was just doing his job.
“Sometimes guys might not appreciate the fact that it’s spring training, but you still have to play. . . . That’s a tough one. That’s a gray area. Should [Grudzielanek] just run up and let [Molina] tag him? Does [Molina] let him slide in, or does he block the plate? Or does Mark try to run over him and maybe hurt both of them?”
Cubs recap
SCORE: Cubs 5, Giants 2.
SPRING RECORD: 3-5.
AT THE PLATE: Moises Alou and Troy O’Leary had two hits apiece, and pitcher Matt Clement added an RBI double.
ON THE MOUND: Six Cubs pitchers allowed only three hits in their most impressive game of the spring. Clement allowed one run on one hit in three innings, striking out three. Rod Beck and Mike Remlinger had perfect innings, and Kyle Farnsworth struck out two in one inning, allowing a run on two bloop hits.
IN THE FIELD: The Cubs were flawless after making three errors Wednesday.
HILL WATCH: Leadoff hitter Bobby Hill went 0-for-4, continuing his tough spring. Hill is hitless in 17 at-bats.
NEXT UP: Vs. Arizona at 2:05 p.m. Friday in Mesa. Shawn Estes faces Randy Johnson.
