Cubs giving Marmol another audition at closer

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Dale Sveum didnt exactly give Carlos Marmol a strong vote of confidence, but the Cubs manager is running out of options in the late innings.Sveum wouldntor couldntreveal what he told Marmol on Friday in the ninth inning. Youd probably have to bleep that out. The Red Sox had just loaded the bases and Marmol was trying to protect a three-run lead in front of 40,073 fans at Wrigley Field.Marmol exhaled and got Dustin Pedroia to ground out to Luis Valbuena, who ran over and stepped on third base to finish off a 3-0 victory. Marmol flexed and pumped his fist after notching his first save since May 2.Yeah, I feel good out there now, Marmol said. I feel confidence, even with the bases loaded. Im going to work hard to keep my job.Earlier this week, Sveum had informed Marmol that he would go back to closing. This could be a way to showcase Marmol before the July 31 trade deadline.Marmolwho has a 5.79 ERA and 22 walks in 18.2 inningsisnt completely fixed after losing his job and going on the disabled list with a pulled hamstring.But Marmol has listened to the coaching staff and done what theyve asked in side sessions, even if he still relies heavily on his slider and sometimes hesitates to use the fastball.(Its) not as bad as what weve seen in the past, Sveum said. He has at least some conviction with his fastball now when he throws it. Its not like: Im just going to waste it and go back to my slider now. You do see two and three fastballs in a row, getting back in counts with (it).That slider earned Marmol a 20 million contract. Can he still be the same guy who was so dominant in 2010?Why not? Marmol said.

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