Overlooked but not forgotten in Sunday’s 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Nationals was the start by Angel Guzman, who yielded one run in five innings.
“The win was special, but Guzman really pitched well,” manager Lou Piniella said.
“I was thinking a lot about the opportunity Lou has given me now,” said Guzman, who almost cost himself a chance at redemption by posting a 12.19 ERA in three minor-league starts. “He’s helped me a lot. I’m looking forward to a great season.”
Guzman was helped by facing the Nationals, last in the league in batting average and home runs and next-to-last in runs scored. Three of their eight starting players Sunday had averages under .200 and a fourth is hitting .213.
Time due
With the number of early-season days off dwindling, Piniella said he would start giving everyday players a rest. That includes first baseman Derrek Lee, the only Cub to play in all 29 games.
“I’ve got [Daryle] Ward, I’ve got to get him in there once in a while too,” Piniella said. “[Mark] DeRosa can play third and I can give [Aramis] Ramirez a day off.
“Once the weather starts turning warmer and we start playing a lot of games, everybody will get a day off.”
The leaders in games played (not always as a starter) are Lee with 29, Ryan Theriot with 28 and DeRosa and Jacque Jones with 27.
“We’ve got a few of them here who like to play all the time,” Piniella said. “You like that. But it’s a long season and you’ve got to pick spots.”
Wading in
Disabled starter Wade Miller (back problems) said he threw 80 pitches off the bullpen mound Sunday and proclaimed it “a lot better” than his Friday effort.
If all goes well with another bullpen session Thursday, he could start a minor-league rehab assignment.
Extra innings
Sunday was the ninth anniversary of Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout victory over the Astros at Wrigley Field in only his fifth major-league start. Wood remains in Arizona rehabbing a shoulder in hopes of making it back to the majors as a reliever.
