The Cubs made the short trip from Mesa to Tempe on Saturday afternoon to face an Angels’ split squad team … and the Cubs came out on top in the Cactus League opener 11-2.
There were plenty of positives for the Cubs in the exhibition game. Brett Jackson showed off his new swing and went 2-for-2 with a pair of triples, two RBI and a run scored. Luis Valbuena launched a towering homer in the second off Jerome Williams and Anthony Rizzo (1-for-2 with a walk) doubled in one of his three plate appearances.
Several of the young players made the trip and quite an impression. Junior Lake (1-for-3 with a home run) hit a monster shot in the ninth inning that left the park and Jorge Soler (1-for-3 with a double and a run scored) doubled in a run and scored another on a RBI single off the bat of Javier Baez (1-for-3).
Hector Rondon made his Cubs’ debut with mixed results, and Trey McNutt seemed to settle down after a rough start to his outing.
Here is video from the Cubs’ first Cactus League game of the spring.
Logan Watkins
Brett Jackson in the On Deck Circle
Brett Jackson’s First Triple
Brett Jackson’s Second Triple
Trey McNutt
Junior Lake
Jorge Soler
Javier Baez
Junior Lake
Hector Rondon
Jorge Soler
A recap of the Cubs spring win over the Angels will post later tonight that includes observations from the park.