Former VCU standout Sean Marshall has allowed but three runs in 161/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2009. WASHINGTON Given a few days off for the all-star break, Chicago Cubs pitcher Sean Marshall returned home to Chesterfield to pursue his other passion—fishing. In fact, it’s what first got the left-hander mentioned in The Times-Dispatch, 18 years ago.

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs starter Sean Marshall, a former standout at Manchester High and Virginia Commonwealth University, has been trying to stick to the advice given to him by Greg Maddux in 2006. He did a pretty good job of it yesterday, pitching three perfect innings in Chicago’s 6-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. “I still remember a lot of the things he was telling me about first-pitch strikes, and getting that fastball down and away early and often,“ Marshall said.