Cubs' bullpen shown up in opening day loss.

For 6 and two thirds innings on Monday afternoon, Carlos Zambrano looked like the Big Z that we've all known to grow and love.  First pitch strikes and a fast-moving game are Zambrano staples, and Opening Day was no different. Then it happened. His cramping problem from last year made a great entrance. Understand this dear readers, this is not an isolated occurance.  This has happened no less than three times in the past two seasons. So he departed and the Cubs went to the bullpen, a position that normally sends the Cub faithful into cardiac arrest. Not today, well not at the beginning at least. The electric Carlos Marmol entered the game, and Marmol played up to his newfound cult hero status in putting the untimely home run he allowed in game one of the division series far behind him. Marmol faced four batters and fanned three of them. It would be fair to say that he was the most effective pitcher on the field. That was until he was pinch hit for in the bottom of the eighth in an ... [link]