LAS VEGAS – Chris Volstad took the mound for the Chicago Cubs this afternoon at Cashman Field, looking to keep his perfect spring intact.
Acquired from Florida for Carlos Zambrano and $15.5 million, Volstad entered Sunday's game against Texas with six shutout innings, allowing only three hits.
The Rangers snapped the string with a run in the third inning, before Alfonso Soriano's sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1. Volstad allowed one run on four hits over four innings. With Jeff Samardzija close to locking down the No. 4 slot, Volstad, Randy Wells, Travis Wood and Rodrigo Lopez figure to be battling for the last vacancy.
Samardzija said Saturday he'd like to hear the argument if he doesn't get a starting job, and manager Dale Sveum responded Sunday by saying "At this point, I don't know if there will be (an argument)."
Is it locked up?
"It's still too soon, but that lock is getting a little closer and closer to being finalized," he said. "It's what it is. It's impressive, and it's what organizations dream of- a 6-foot-6, 240-pound athlete on the mound that has four pitches with velocity. It's impressive, no doubt about it.
"I don't think he he's doing anything we didn't expect. The way he finished throwing the ball last season, the mechanical changes he made, the confidence he gained… now it's just full force.
"He's probably got about three starts left. He put a nice swing on the ball (Saturday) lining out to first against a pretty good pitcher. It's the full package. It's impressive to watch."
psullivan@tribune.com
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16/04/2012 - 0 Comments
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