Times wires
Sunday, April 3, 2011
CHICAGO — Matt Garza left with the lead in his Cubs debut despite giving up a career-high 12 hits, all singles.
The former Rays right-hander struck out a career-best 12 and didn't issue a walk, leaving after seven innings with a 4-3 lead.
But the victory eluded him and Chicago after the Pirates rallied for two runs in the ninth against closer Carlos Marmol for a 5-4 win Sunday.
"It just didn't fall our way. That's all it is," Garza said. "They found a hole, they found a way. It happens."
Garza was the Cubs' major offseason acquisition, coming over in a trade after winning 15 games and helping Tampa Bay win the AL East.
"Even though the 12 singles are annoying, I just kept telling myself to get to the next pitch and keep attacking," Garza said.
He wasn't fazed, he said, by his first game at venerable Wrigley Field.
"Nothing different. I've been pitching in the big leagues parts of five years, been pitching in baseball games since I was 8," said Garza, who set a Cubs record for strikeouts in a debut. "The dimensions don't change."