MESA, Ariz -.- Carlos Silva texts his mother in Venezuela before and after every game he pitches.
After throwing four shutout innings Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, Silva texted his mom: "The way I feel today, I haven't felt in a long time."
"I threw like it was me," he said. "I threw the sinker the way I wanted to throw it. I used my breaking ball, my changeup was good, and good command. For me, even if I play a game against my brother and I do good and pitch good, I will be excited."
Silva (2-1) said he was "fired up" after learning his mother, Zulay Silva, was granted a 10-year visa to visit the United States.
Photo: Carlos Silva delivers during his four-shutout-inning stint Tuesday. (Morry Gash/AP)
The Cubs are fired up by the last two outings of Silva, who has not allowed a run in his last seven innings after being shelled by the White Sox in his spring debut.
Using his sinker to great effect, Silva mowed down the Rangers in the Cubs 4-1 win before 13,157 at HoHoKam Park, the fourth largest crowd in the ballpark's history and the largest this spring in the Cactus League.
Jeff Baker homered for the Cubs, who improved to 9-5 before their first and only off day of the spring on Wednesday.
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Perfect time to trade him. Maybe the Cubs can get a bucket of balls for him.
Now he will pitch the way he did with the Twins. Awsome!