Lovin' feeling gone, gone, gone for Cubs in early spring play

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Cubs had fun for a while Tuesday, showing off their powerful hopes for the future with a flurry of fourth-inning home runs.

But the reality of the moment is that seven games into the spring, they’re still without manager Joe Maddon’s first Cub victory.

And as meaningless as spring training might seem, Maddon believes in trying to win in March for the ethic and habits it promotes. He may not be sweating it yet, but he’d like to at least have a few leads to play with so he can make some game moves.

“I know people will be concerned with that,” Maddon said of the winless streak that grew with Tuesday’s error-filled 10-6 loss to Cleveland.

“I’m not at all concerned,” he added, “although I’d like to see it happen, of course. I’d like to see us win often and get that lovin’ feeling going on right here. And if you’re getting some wins you’re probably doing some good things.”

Not much has looked righteous in the opening week for a team that has given up more than six runs a game with a team on-base percentage under .300 and 12 errors in seven games.

Maddon pointed to big innings (like Tuesday’s four-run seventh for the Indians), lack of hitting with men in scoring position (all four homers Tuesday were solo shots) and some general bad luck.

“I’m not by any means worried, but I’d like to see the win for the sake of the guys to get it rolling,” he said. “And if you’re winning games, you probably have more chances to try different things, and we just haven’t had a chance to try anything really. That’s part of it also.”