Walk haunts in 7-0 loss

When Jerry Narron had Bronson Arroyo intentionally walked Daryle Ward to get to Alfonso Soriano, I thought of an old Tom Lasorda line. Someone asked Lasorda why he walked Joe Morgan, who was struggling, to get to some other Red who was hot.

"I don't look at their average," Tommy said. "I look at their salary."

Narron's strategy didn't work out -- not because of Soriano's bat, because of legs. Soriano grounded one to the left side. Shortstop Juan Castro fielded the ball, but Soriano beat the throw. A run scored on the play. The big thing was it prolonged the inning, leading to four more runs, giving the Cubs a 7-0 lead. That's how the game ended.

Ward was 3-for-13 against Arroyo; Soriano was 3-for-22.

Arroyo agreed totally with the move.

“I wanted to walk Ward,” Arroyo said. “I haven’t seen Ward that much in my whole career. I know he’s really quick inside. There’s no reason for me to face a guy from the left side fresh off the bench who I don’t know a ton about. When I’ve got a guy like Soriano who I’ve totally manhandled my whole career.

“I thought it was a good move. I got the ball I wanted from Soriano. He hit it in pretty good spot. Castro couldn’t quite make the play.”