The Cubs certainly enjoyed jumping around Wrigley Field after back-to-back walk-off wins over the Cardinals. That hadnt happened in almost 51 years.
But the Cubs (6-13) know that everything is built around starting pitching. Without it, this will be a very long summer.
Yes, the Cubs won their first series of the season, against the defending World Series champs. But any ideas about a sweep vanished in the sixth inning of Wednesdays 5-1 loss to the Cardinals (12-7).
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With two outs, Chris Volstad threw a high fastball that Carlos Beltran smacked off the ivy in left for an RBI double that snapped a 1-1 tie.
The next batter, World Series hero David Freese, crushed a sinker left out over the plate. It landed halfway up the bleachers in left-center for a two-run homer.
You got to be able to close those innings out, Volstad said. One swing of the bat put us in a big hole.
Volstadwho gave up four runs in six inningshasnt notched a victory since July 10, 2011, when he was pitching for the Marlins, in the football stadium they couldnt wait to exit.
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The guy traded for Carlos Zambrano has gone winless in his last 15 big-league starts. Hes 0-3 with a 6.14 ERA in his first four games with the Cubs.
The organization likes Volstads age (25), size (6-foot-8) and first-round pedigree, so he will be given a very long look this season.
But even manager Dale Sveum acknowledged a streak like that will weigh on your mind, whether Volstad admits it or not.
I really dont think of my own personal wins and losses, Volstad said. If I go out there and pitch well and the team wins, thats all that really matters.
Thats not even a concern for me. Its just (keeping) the team in a position to win. Thats the only thing I can really do and I havent done that.