And, in one day, the Cubs double their Spring win total, mostly mooting any additional discussion of their meaningless Cactus League record. The Cubs beat the A’s 3-1, and beat the Brewers 10-5.
The wins were really impressive, though, with the pitching (and Kris Bryant) dominating in Las Vegas, and the offense dominating in Maryvale.
Kyle Hendricks pitched five perfect innings with three strikeouts, which is damn impressive, Spring Training or not. Joe Ortiz and Jorge De Leon followed with perfect frames of their own, and it wasn’t until Armando Rivero got his first Spring action that the A’s finally broke through with a couple hits, a walk, and a run.
Over in Maryvale, Edwin Jackson pitched three scoreless innings, which probably means less than it feels like. He struck out two, walked two, and allowed a hit. Welington Castillo caught Jackson in this one, and Castillo had another couple hits, including a double. The timing of his excellent Spring is probably very good for the Cubs.
Kris Bryant was scratched from third base with a shoulder issue, but he came in as the DH after one time through batting order, and proceeded to homer twice. No big deal.
Javy Baez wound up in the lineup after the Bryant scratch, and had a hit in two at bats (no strikeouts). Tommy La Stella doubled in his two at bats.
Drake Britton pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Las Vegas, allowing a hit and striking one out. He has yet to give up a run this Spring.
Matt Szczur continues to play out of his mind this Spring, adding another couple hits and a homer (his third on the Spring).
Gonzalez Germen gave up most of the damage in the Brewers game. He was an extreme longshot to win a job in the bullpen out of Spring Training, but he’s really nice depth to have at AAA Iowa.
With apologies, the take here is a little thin, because The Wife and The Little Girl just got into town to join me for a few days of semi-vacation.