By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune –
ST. LOUIS — When Matt Garza left Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals after the third inning and was caught by TV cameras flexing his right wrist in the dugout, it looked like another example of what Lou Piniella termed a “Cubbie Occurrence.”
Only the Cubs could lose their best trading chip to an injury right before the deadline, and only the Cubs then could give up 12 runs in an inning soon thereafter.
Garza’s injury was later described as right triceps cramping, and the Cubs breathed a sigh of relief when X-rays proved negative.
While newly acquired right-hander Justin Germano pitched well in his Cubs’ debut, the Cardinals scored 12 runs in the seventh en route to a 12-0 victory at Busch Stadium.
Before the game, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer reiterated the team needs “a lot more pitching in the organization,” which would be the primary reason to deal Garza, the player who could fetch the most in return.
The Cubs haven’t ruled out keeping Garza, who has been fairly consistent the last two seasons without the benefit of much run support.
“He’s a really good pitcher,” Hoyer said. “We need a lot more guys like him in the organization, not fewer. We’ve been very consistent with that all along. He can certainly help a team win, not only this year and next year, but for a long time.”
Garza threw three shutout innings before leaving, while Germano threw three more before leaving after an infield single started the seventh.
But James Russell gave up an RBI single to Rafael Furcal to snap the scoreless tie, and the wheels came off. Suddenly Russell was charged with six runs in 2/3rds of an inning, Manny Corpas gave four up more without retiring a batter and Rafael Dolis finished off the meltdown.
The Cardinals tied their 1926 franchise record for runs in an inning while the Cubs last gave up 12 in an inning on July 30, 2010 in Colorado. Jake Westbrook (8-8) pitched seven shutout innings for the Cardinals, dealing the Cubs their first back-to-back losses since a four-game losing streak June 20-24.
Hoyer and President Theo Epstein have been glued to their smart phones as the July 31 deadline approaches, though Hoyer pointed out most movement comes in the final days.
The Cubs are motivated sellers, and almost everyone in the clubhouse is available, with a few obvious exceptions such as Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Travis Wood.
“You don’t want to be a seller,” Hoyer said. “When you’re a seller, all the guys on your team sit there and look over their shoulder, and that’s not a good process for anyone.
“Every player on that field probably has been part of some rumor at some point this year. Even Starlin for a while.”
