It’s hard to say who embarrassed themselves more Wednesday night at Wrigley Field — the Cubs or one of the left-field bleacher bums.
Jeff Samardzija’s first major-league start turned into a nightmare in a 12-5 loss to the Phillies. The Cubs lost for the sixth time in seven games and fell four games behind the National League Central-leading Cardinals.
Adding to the embarrassment, a fan in the left-field bleachers threw a cup of beer on Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the fifth inning and got away with it when the security guards nabbed the wrong man.
While security was questioning a man who was taunting Victorino after the soaking, the real culprit left the ballpark. The Cubs are working with the Chicago Police Department and plan to release a photograph of the beer-thrower from WGN-TV video in hopes someone will identify him. The Cubs want to prosecute the person to the fullest extent of the law.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called the Phillies’ clubhouse during the game to apologize, and manager Lou Piniella offered an apology as well.
“That shouldn’t happen,” Piniella said. “It’s not good sportsmanship, not good behavior. We apologize to Victorino and the Phillies.”
As for the game, right-hander Pedro Martinez notched his 215th career victory in his Phillies debut, allowing three runs in five innings for his first victory since Aug. 31, 2008, when he pitched for the Mets.
After getting off to a hot start after the All-Star break, the Cubs are reeling against good competition, namely the Rockies and Phillies. Piniella has taken a beating on talk-radio and Hendry defended him before Wednesday’s game.
“We’re just going through a tough time,” Hendry said. “Coming out of the break, everyone was applauding him for getting it turned around in the second half. We’ve lost a lot of games where we haven’t knocked in runs with men in scoring position, and we’ve had a couple where we got kicked, and rightfully so.
“Some of the teams we’re playing against like the Rockies and Phillies, are outstanding clubs. … I think you see the same Lou. When you get beat and expectations aren’t being met … you’re going to get your share of criticism. We all go through it.”
There was little Piniella could do Wednesday to stem the tide.
The Phillies rocked Samardzija early and often, then continued to pound left-hander Sean Marshall in an eight-run fourth inning.
“They hit him hard,” Piniella said. “That’s going to happen when you have two starters on the [disabled list]. This is a tough lineup. This is a world championship team you’re talking about.”
Samardzija said he could learn from the experience, though it’s doubtful he will get another start soon with Ted Lilly expected to return Monday.
The beer-tossing incident left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, especially the Cubs players.
“They are free to yell and say whatever they want,” Derrek Lee said. “But when they start throwing beer, especially in the middle of a play, it’s not really showing good sportsmanship as a fan.”
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psullivan@tribune.com
Up next
Thursday vs. Phillies, 1:20 p.m., CSN
