Spring Training Game Thirty-Three – Cubs 2, Diamondbacks 4
WP – Anthony Banda (1-0) LP – Travis Wood (1-2) Save – Jimmie Sherfy (1)
Travis Wood gave up two runs in an inning of work. Kyle Hendricks tossed a scoreless second inning. But the prospect filled lineup couldn’t dig out of the early hole as the Cubs lost the spring finale Saturday afternoon at Chase Field.
With the Major League roster and coaching staff in Chicago preparing for the season opener, the Cubs ran out a starting lineup that included Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez, Albert Almora, Jeimer Candelario, Junior Lake and Jacob Hannemann.
The Diamondbacks scored two runs in the first inning off Travis Wood. Wood was scheduled to pitch only one inning Saturday and the southpaw got his work in.
Ender Inciarte reached on a bunt single and scored on a Paul Goldschmidt double to center. Jake Lamb ran for Goldschmidt and scored on a Mark Trumbo single to center. Aaron Hill grounded out to short and Wood ended his spring by striking out Yasmany Thomas looking for the third out.
Travis Wood gave up two runs on three hits without a walk and one strikeout on 16 pitches, 11 for strikes.
Kyle Hendricks needed only nine pitches, six for strikes, to retire all three batters he faced in the second inning.
The Diamondbacks built a 4-0 lead in the third off Gonzalez Germen. A.J Pollock led off the third with a double to right. Evan Marzilli ran for Pollock and moved to third when Inciarte grounded out to Baez at second base. Germen struck out Jake Lamb swinging. But Mark Trumbo launched a two-run homer to right, 4-0 Arizona. Germen struck out Aaron Hill swinging to end the inning.
Hunter Cervenka, Fernando Cruz and Blake Parker pitched the last five innings of the spring. The three relievers gave up three hits and struck out five. Cervenka retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings and notched two strikeouts on 25 pitches, 17 for strikes.
The minor league bullpen did its job Saturday from the fourth inning on, but the offense put together only one run scoring inning.
Kyle Schwarber (1-for-3 with a double and a run scored) doubled to center with one out in the sixth. The Cubs received a little scare when Javier Baez (1-for-3 with a run scored and a HBP) was hit in the left hand. Baez stayed in and finished the game at second base.
Junior Lake (2-for-4 with a RBI) singled to left. Schwarber scored and put the Cubs on the board. With runners on first and second with one down, Albert Almora (2-for-4 with a RBI) singled to right. Baez scored, 4-2 Diamondbacks. Rubi Silva hit for Hunter Cervenka and grounded into a 3-6 inning ending double play.
The Cubs managed just a Billy McKinney walk over the last three innings.
Addison Russell (1-for-4 with a double) doubled in the first inning accounting for the Cubs other hit.
The Cubs scored two runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts. On the afternoon, the young Cubs were 2-for-8 with RISP and left six men on base.
The Cubs finished a rather memorable Spring Training with a 15-17-1 record.
The Cubs open the 2015 regular season on Sunday night. Jon Lester faces Adam Wainwright in his Cubs debut. Let’s Go!