A Walk Off in Mesa

Jason Marquis threw 3 shutout innings, Micah Hoffpauir hit a game winning home run in the bottom of the 9th and the Cubs committed 4 errors in route to beating the Brewers on Tuesday afternoon. The pitching was the story of the day with Marquis throwing the ball well and both Ryan Dempster and Angel Guzman having successful outings.

The Cubs did commit 4 errors….two by Eric Patterson, and one each by Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez. But the start by Marquis was a very good sign as he allowed just two hits, one walk, struck out two and hit a batter (Rickie Weeks) in his 3 innings of work while recording six ground outs and only one fly out. Alfonso Soriano did go hitless in his four trips to the plate but Eric Patterson made the start at 2nd and had a 2-4 day with a stolen base and a run scored. Derrek Lee added a 2-4 day and both he and Patterson scored on a 2-out single in the 1st inning off the bat of Jacque Jones (his 2nd 2-out RBI of the spring).

The Cubs were held off the board until Micah Hoffpauir hit his walk off blast in the bottom of the 9th. The Cubs pounded out 11 hits, walked once and left 9 on base.

Tyler Colvin started the game in left and went 0-2 on the afternoon. Ryan Theroit added another hit on the day as he continues to impress.

Ryan Dempster gave up just a long double on the day in his inning of work and struck out 2 while Angel Guzman gave up a run on a hit and struck out two in his 2 innings of work. The run off of Guzman was not earned as Bill Hall reached on the error by Soriano that allowed Johnny Estrada to drive him in for the first Brewers run on the day. Sean Gallagher gave up the lead in the 7th and in his inning of work he allowed one run on one hit and walked two. Les Walrond pitched the 9th, loaded the bases but was able to pitch out of trouble.

Box Score from MLB.com

Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to take the mound on Wednesday for his 2nd start of the spring. Jeff Samardzija is also scheduled to pitch against the A’s at HoHoKam.