When former Cubs president and current Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail sent Steve Trachsel from Baltimore to the Cubs on Aug. 31, it may have been his final chance to seal his legacy with the organization.
And if Trachsel continues to pitch like he did Sunday in a 10-5 loss to Pittsburgh, the Cubs probably will be sitting home in October and the term “MacPhail’s revenge” may grow in infamy.
Staked to a 2-0 lead in his second start since returning to the Cubs, Trachsel allowed six second-inning runs, including five with two outs, before manager Lou Piniella mercifully removed him.
The loss, coupled with Milwaukee’s 10-5 victory over Cincinnati, dropped the Cubs into second place in the National League Central, one game behind the Brewers. It’s the first time since Aug. 16 the Cubs haven’t had at least a share of the top spot in the division.
“I don’t know if (chasing Milwaukee) is different,” Piniella said. “One game in the standings? If we play well enough, we’ll get a chance to get back on top, and if we don’t, it’s not going to matter.”
The Cubs have lost five of their last seven games after winning back-to-back series against Milwaukee and Houston.
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CUBS HITS
Manager Lou Piniella said after Sunday’s loss that he didn’t know whether he would start Steve Trachsel in his next scheduled slot Saturday in St. Louis.
– Trachsel is 1-6 since June 13.
– Cubs RHP Sean Marshall, who has started 18 times this season, pitched in relief for the first time in his career, majors or minors.
