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Retooled delivery benefits Silva

Cubs righty scatters four hits over three scoreless frames

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By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

03/11/10 6:59 PM ET

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Carlos Silva was excited to pitch on Thursday, a feeling he hasn't had in a couple years.

The right-hander made his second spring start for the Cubs and threw three scoreless innings in Chicago's 8-7 win over the San Diego Padres. He gave up four hits and one walk in what was an improvement over his first start March 6 against the White Sox, when he was rocked for six runs on seven hits.

Before Thursday's game, manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs were eager to see how Silva responded to a change in his mechanics. He's adjusted his delivery so he finishes more on the third-base side than the first-base side, creating a different angle.

Silva was all smiles after his outing.

"I'm very happy with the way I threw," he said. "My last bullpen [session], when I started throwing, it was a little difficult. I told [pitching coach Larry Rothschild] -- and I was telling my wife, too -- that I haven't seen that sinker for a long time, the one I was throwing in the bullpen. I saw the action and location and I was very excited to pitch today.

"I came with a different mentality," Silva said. "I find myself a little more comfortable doing that. When I started the game, it's different when you have a hitter. You forget sometimes what you have to do."

Changing the angle allows Silva to finish his pitches better. He still has to be consistent with his delivery.

"This game is all about consistency," he said.

The Cubs need to see good results from Silva, who could fill one of the two vacancies in the rotation. Looking at the April schedule, the team will need five starters for the first month. Silva was 5-18 the last two seasons combined in Seattle, and he battled shoulder problems. All of that is forgotten.

"I'm very happy to be here, and not only because of the team," Silva said. "What makes me feel so comfortable is the coaching staff. Since I went to the [Cubs Convention], I feel like they're behind me, especially Larry and Lou, the way they talk to me and the way they push me, the way they want me to do good.

"It's important for me that somebody cares," he said. "I feel better. Larry makes me feel so good every time I get the opportunity to work with him because of the way he's trying to teach me and the way he wants me to get better."

Silva got some solid defensive help Thursday from center fielder Sam Fuld, who made a leaping catch at the center-field wall in the third inning to rob Scott Hairston of an extra-base hit. Starlin Castro also smacked his first spring homer, leading off the fifth with his second hit of the game. Castro went 2-for-2, walked and scored three runs.

After his outing, Silva could share his success with his family, including 2-year-old son Justin.

"It's different," Silva said of this spring. "Not just the way I pitch, because sometimes the game is more mental. Even the way I woke up today, I was excited to go out there again. It was kind of a different feeling."

How long has it been since he had that feeling?

"To be honest, it's been a long time," Silva said. "The last two years have been hard for me to even show up at the stadium. I'm the kind of guy who is very competitive and I take a lot of pride -- when I do bad, it's hard for me to see my teammates' faces. I feel embarrassed, I feel like I haven't helped them. I am very hard on myself.

"This year, they traded me for [Milton] Bradley and people ask me, 'Is it hard for you to get traded?'" he said. "I said it's not hard. If you get traded, it's because that team doesn't want you and the other team wants you."

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.