Chicago Tribune: Piniella on Marmol: Little bit of a concern (RR)

Cubs manager Lou Piniella spoke to Carlos Marmol Thursday morning about his location after Marmol served up a game-tying three-run homer to Ray Durham Wednesday night. In Piniella’s eyes, Marmol had not lost any confidence.

“He was hitting his head after (Durham) hit the home run,” Piniella said. “So I think he’s OK.”

But Marmol went out Thursday and served up another three-run home run to Rich Aurilia to put the 8-3 loss out of reach. It was the fourth homer he has given up in his last 12 innings, and Piniella now is wondering if Marmol is tipping his pitches.

“It’s hard to give up home runs like he has been giving them up on a consistent basis, even if you tell the hitter what’s coming,” Piniella said. “Maybe he is. Maybe he’s doing something, so we’re going to look at the film [Friday] in St. Louis. It’s starting to be a little bit of a concern, to be quite honest.”

Piniella said he took Sean Gallagher out after five innings Thursday so he could be used in the bullpen, though he didn’t say Gallagher would replace Marmol as a set-up man.

Given how Marmol was Piniella’s security blanket for much of the season, it’s got to be killing Lou to have it taken away.