Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 7, Mariners 8 – March 12, 2014

cactusThe Cubs went down early last night to the Mariners, and although they came back to take the lead in the 6th, the Mariners won it late.

  • It was a rough start for rotation hopeful James McDonald, who did perhaps the worst thing you can do when you’re trying to win a job as pitcher in the Spring: he couldn’t find a strike zone. McDonald walked five over just 2.2 innings, and some of the walks were ugly. Out of his 64 pitches, just 26 were strikes. I suppose the one bright spot is that he gave up just two earned runs despite the walks. At least McDonald says he was trying to work on a new two-seamer (it sounds like it’s almost a sinker).
  • Let’s admit it, the best parts of last night’s game were the Baez bomb and the two Mike Olt bombs. In case missed them, you can see them here. #Swoon.
  • Those homers came off of Randy Wolf (one each player), who is trying to come back this year, and off of Charlie Furbush, a fairly legit lefty reliever (Olt’s second). Does the fact that the homers came off of a come-back player and all off of lefties diminish them? Eh, maybe a little. But they’re still fun to watch, and part of being a successful player is taking advantage of situations like that. You’re not going to homer every time you face Felix Hernandez, but, the thing is, you won’t always be facing Felix Hernandez.
  • James Russell made his Spring debut, giving up a solo homer and striking out one. Tsuyoshi Wada, who has an outside shot at the fifth starter spot, gave up two hits and two walks over 1.2 innings.
  • Although they were cut earlier in the day, each of Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, and Albert Almora got a couple plate appearances last night, with Almora singling and Soler walking. Other cut-ees Matt Szczur and Logan Watkins saw time, too. It only now occurs to me that Christian Villanueva, who started at third base last night and took a walk over three plate appearances, was not cut with the rest of the prospect crew yesterday. I don’t think he’s a threat to make the team, but it’s probably a nice compliment.
  • In the third catcher battle, Eli Whiteside played last night, but is still looking for his first hit. John Baker started and notched two hits, including a double. One or both of these guys will head to AAA Iowa, assuming both Welington Castillo and George Kottaras remain healthy (knock on wood).
  • Ryan Kalish had a single in his three at bats, and stole another base. Junior Lake got a hit off of, but then was picked off by, Randy Wolf.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Cardinals Demote Uber Prospect Jordan Walker Back to Triple-A

    On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that infielder José Fermín and LHP John King would be coming to join the big league squad in place of LHP Zack Thompson and ... uber outfield prospect Jordan Walker. You just hate...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I recently stumbled onto this live cover of Linger by The Cranberries and I can't stop listening to it. Give it a go. I bet you like it. In case you missed it last night, Cody Bellinger exited last night's...

    Chicago Cubs Org Homer Party: 13 Homers for the Organization

    The big league Cubs last night beat the Astros largely on the strength of the long ball, scoring six of their seven runs that way. Cody Bellinger kicked things off with a monster two-run shot, and Mike Tauchman followed with...

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Latest News

    Jacksonville Jaguars 3-Round Mock Draft: Perimeter Help At CB and WR

    Jacksonville Jaguars 3-Round Mock Draft— After a disappointing late-season collapse in Jacksonville, the pressure is on. With the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jaguars have a critical decision to make—bolster their porous defense or find a reliable weapon for...

    Cardinals Demote Uber Prospect Jordan Walker Back to Triple-A

    On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that infielder José Fermín and LHP John King would be coming to join the big league squad in place of LHP Zack Thompson and ... uber outfield prospect Jordan Walker. You just hate...

    Indianapolis Colts 3-Round Mock Draft: More Elite Athletes for GM Chris Ballard’s Roster

    Indianapolis Colts 3-Round Mock Draft - With the 15th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager Chris Ballard has a chance to address this critical need and propel the Colts back into the AFC playoff picture. Last year's draft class appears promising, and...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8) hope to avoid an upset as -116 favorites when they take on Andrew McCutchen (with homers in two straight contests) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11). First pitch is at 6:40 PM ET Wednesday, live from PNC...

    Rays vs. Tigers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays (12-13) and Detroit Tigers (14-10) meet Wednesday at Tropicana Field, starting at 6:50 PM ET on BSSUN. The Rays are -121 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Tigers are favored against the spread of 1.5...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    Led by Shohei Ohtani (two-game homer streak), the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) are favorites versus the Washington Nationals (10-12) Wednesday at 6:45 PM ET. Bookmakers have named the Dodgers as -186 favorites for the game, which airs on SportsNet LA.Los...

    Braves vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Miami Marlins (6-19 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the Atlanta Braves (16-6) in the final game of a three-game set. Bookmakers have listed the Braves as -240 favorites, while the Marlins are +198 underdogs to pick...

    Reds vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds (13-10) and Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) meet Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, starting at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are -114 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Phillies are favored against the spread of...

    Yankees vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The New York Yankees (16-8) are set to take on the Oakland Athletics (9-15) Wednesday at 7:05 PM ET, airing on Amazon Prime Video. The Yankees are listed as -228 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Athletics have +187 odds...

    Cubs vs. Astros Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Houston Astros (7-17) square off against the Chicago Cubs (14-9) on Wednesday at Wrigley Field after a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 7:40 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Jameson Taillon (1-0) for the Cubs and Spencer Arrighetti...

    more cubs news