Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and rookie right-hander Carlos Marmol now have something in common.
Both Cubs pitchers won their major-league starting debuts in Cincinnati against the Reds.
“I remember mine,” said the 40-year-old Maddux. “I was nervous big-time. I did all right. We won.”
Maddux won his first game 11-3 over the Reds on Sept. 7, 1986. Marmol won his debut nearly 20 years later, 9-3, on Sunday as the Cubs took three out of four from a Cincinnati team that had won eight in a row.
Marmol, who was throwing in the low to mid-90s Sunday afternoon, said he has been receiving pitching advice from Maddux.
“I talk to Maddux every day, and I have questions for him,” said Marmol, who was called up from Double-A West Tenn on June 4. “He answers me and tells me what I am supposed to do and how to pitch to certain guys.”
Marmol, getting the starting assignment after Kerry Wood was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of recurring shoulder stiffness, was masterful over six innings, giving up just two hits while walking three and striking out seven. He threw 99 pitches. A solo homer to David Ross in the fifth inning was his only mistake.
The Cubs, who wound up their road trip with a 6-4 record, broke the game open with a five-run eighth inning that included home runs by Phil Nevin and Ronny Cedeno. Neifi Perez, starting at third base in place of injured Aramis Ramirez, drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and his first home run of the season. He also doubled in the eighth inning.
