Spring Training Game Fifteen – Cubs 11, Padres 1
WP – Clayton Richard (1-0) LP – Tyson Ross (0-2) Save – None
The Cubs scored five runs in the first inning on hits from Jason Heyward, Jeimer Candelario and Javier Baez. Jason Heyward cleared the bases with a two-out double in the third. Kris Negron and John Andreoli hit back-to-back jacks in the eighth. Andreoli circled the bases for an inside the park homer.
Clayton Richard and Ryan Williams combined for five innings of shutout ball and the pen took care of the rest as the Cubs pounded Padres’ pitching on Tuesday afternoon.
A day after being blown out at Sloan Park by the Padres, the Cubs picked up their first road win of the spring with an impressive afternoon against Andy Green’s team in Peoria.
The Cubs scored five runs in the first inning off Tyson Ross and knocked him out of the game before he could record three outs. Dexter Fowler (0-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored) walked and scored from first on a hustle double by Jason Heyward (2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored) and a throwing error from Manuel Margot.
Kyle Schwarber (1-for-3 with a double and a walk) walked after Anthony Rizzo (0-for-3 with a HBP) popped out. Jeimer Candelario (2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored) doubled to the left field corner, Heyward scored.
Javier Baez (1-for-4 with two RBI, stolen base and a run scored) gave the Cubs a 4-0 lead with a single to left center.
Baez stole second and scored on a double from Tim Federowicz (1-for-4 with a RBI). Arismendy Alcantara (1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored) walked and chased Ross from the game.
Jason Heyward made it 8-0 in the third with a two-out, bases clearing double into the right field corner. Alcantara started the two-out rally with a single. Munenori Kawasaki (2-for-4 with a double and a run scored) singled and Fowler walked ahead of Heyward’s second double of the day.
The Cubs hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to cap the scoring.
Albert Almora Jr. (1-for-1 with a run scored) singled off Nick Vincent to start the eighth. Kris Negron (1-for-1 with a home run and two RBI) went opposite field for a two-run shot over the right center field wall.
John Andreoli (1-for-1 with a run scored) made the most of his one at bat Tuesday. Andreoli hit a deep fly out to right that Jabari Blash tried to make a catch on at the wall. Blash got too close and Andreoli was off to the races. Andreoli’s third homer of the spring was an inside the park home run.
Jeimer Candelario and John Andreoli have made the most of their playing time this spring with impressive performances at the plate and in the field. Andreoli was able to show off his wheels on the inside the parker and Candelario collected hits from both sides of the plate in the same game for the second time this spring.
The Cubs scored 11 runs on 13 hits (two home runs) and four walks with eight strikeouts.
Clayton Richard started Tuesday’s game and was very good during his two innings of work. Richard was not as sharp as his first two spring outings, but was equally as effective. Richard gave up one hit, no runs, and walked two. Richard did not strikeout a batter. He did pickoff Derek Norris from first base in the first inning. Richard made 25 pitches in two innings, 13 for strikes.
Ryan Williams replaced Richard in the third inning and pitched the next three innings. Williams was sharp, kept the ball down and threw strikes. Williams allowed at least one hit in each of his three innings. All four hits were singles. Williams gave up four hits with no walks and two strikeouts on 36 pitches, 26 for strikes.
The Padres got on the board in the sixth against Justin Grimm. Matt Kemp led off with a single to right. Jabari Blash ran for Kemp and advanced all the way to third base on two wild pitches with Alexei Ramirez at the plate. Ramirez lifted a 3-2 pitch to left that John Andreoli tracked down for the second out of the inning. Blash tagged and scored on the play. Grimm appeared to be working on his slider and had trouble commanding the pitch.
Neil Ramirez struck out the side in order in the seventh inning. Ramirez had good command and hit his spots. Ramirez made 14 pitches, nine for strikes, with a fastball in the 91-92 mph range throughout the inning.
Brandon Gomes gave up a single in the eighth, but that was all. Gomes was very sharp throwing to Willson Contreras.
Spencer Patton stumbled a little in the ninth, gave up two hits and allowed runners to reach second and third. Patton struck out two and retired Alex Dickerson on a liner to Stephen Bruno at second base to end the game.
With Tuesday’s win, the Cubs improved to 4-10-1 in the Cactus League.
The Cubs hit the road again Wednesday (3:05pm CDT) and make a trip to Surprise to take on the World Champs. John Lackey is scheduled to face Chris Young.