Bullpen spoils Garza's strong outing in Cubs' 7-4 loss to the Nationals

The Cubs lost to the Washington Nationals, 7-4 today at Wrigley Field in game 2 of their opening series. 

Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol each entered the game in relief of Matt Garza and were both booed off the mound during a five-run eighth inning that spoiled a strong start by Matt Garza.  They were also booed off the mound during Thursday's Opening Day game after blowing an excellent performance from Ryan Dempster.  Garza allowed two runs over six innings and left the game with a 4-2 lead.  Rookie Rafael Dolis threw a perfect seventh inning.  Then Wood and Marmol entered the game in the eighth inning.

Matt Garza's strong start was spoiled by Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol (photo from cubs.com)

Garza talked about Wood and Marmol and said, "They're going out there to try to help you win a ballgame, and some days you have it, and some days you don't, so you just help them and keep plugging away.  Those two guys, they're mentally tough. I have a great feeling they'll be all right."  Let's hope Garza is right!

Tomorrow, the Cubs will play the Nationals for the third game in the series against the Nationals at 1:20pm CST, where Jeff Samardzija will make his first start for the Cubs this season.  The game will be seen on WGN-TV or heard on WGN-Radio.