Cubs starter Rich Hill walked six Colorado Rockies in just an inning-and-a-third Thursday.

Acknowledging that a March Cactus League game does not a regular season contest make, here's how bad that is:

In the past 50 years of National League play, only three starting pitchers have walked more than six hitters in starts lasting 1 1/3 IP or less.

At the top of that list? Our closer-to-be Kerry Wood, who walked eight men in a 2000 start against the Cardinals.

Speaking of Wood, he displayed mid-season-quality, Roger Clemens-style surliness in his post-game interview Thursday, obviously angry at what he saw as alarmist reporting on his achy back and missed outing on Wednesday.

Wood pitched an inning today against the Rockies, giving up two hits and a run in one inning of work. Carrie Muskat at cubs.com explains what's next for Wood:

The next step depends on how Wood feels on Friday. He could throw in a Minor League game, possibly joining Carlos Zambrano who was slated to throw 85-90 pitches against the Athletics' Triple-A team, or he could throw one inning at Fitch Park against the Cubs' Minor Leaguers. If he can't go on Friday, then Wood would probably pitch Sunday and Monday for the requisite consecutive outings which the Cubs want to see before officially naming him as the closer. It's day to day.