Spring Training Game Twenty-Nine: Cubs (9-17-2) vs. Rockies (ss) (14-10-3)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Jon Lester (1-0, 3.00, 1.33) vs. David Hale (0-0, 5.40, 2.40)
The Cubs wrap-up the Cactus League portion of their spring schedule this afternoon at Sloan Park against a Rockies’ split squad team.
Joe Maddon’s team has had a good spring in the Valley. Players have gotten their work in over the last month with very little drama. The headlines seemed to focus on the daily workouts more than the practice games on the field. Maddon was able to distract the media with the daily hijinks which allowed the players to go about their business.
Jon Lester makes his final spring start today and could use another uneventful outing. Lester will have to get his work in against a lineup he might not know much about. The other half of the Rockies spring roster is hosting the Brewers in Scottsdale.
Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie have the call of today’s game on Cubs.com. This is the last game of the year without a telecast. Radio only for the Cubs last home game of the spring.
The final spring game at Sloan Park all starts with Jon Lester …
Jon Lester makes his last start before he takes the hill in game two against the Angels on April 5. Lester is coming off what appeared to be a good outing. Lester was not happy with location of several pitches and would like better command today than he had five days ago.
Lester allowed two hits over five scoreless innings to the Brewers with a walk and two strikeouts. Lester was not challenged on the bases, which resulted in zero throwing issues for the lefty.
In three Cactus League appearances this spring, Lester has given up eight runs, four earned, on 14 hits with two walks and nine strikeouts over 12 innings.
David Hale makes his second Cactus League appearance this afternoon. Hale pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief on March 21 and gave up one run on three hits and a walk with a strikeout to the Rangers.
Hale appeared in 17 games and made 12 starts for the Rockies a year ago. Hale was 5-5 with a 6.09 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Hale gave up 56 runs, 53 earned, on 95 hits with 20 walks and 61 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings.
The Rockies already optioned Hale to Triple-A and will use him in the split squad game against the Cubs today.
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