Ah, the old Spring Training pitchers (and more pitchers) duel. I wasn’t at today’s game, instead opting to take in minor league camp and more of the Cubs’ facilities (but more on that later), so I can’t offer any eyes’ on stuff from the Cubs/Indians game.
But the statistical notes …
Travis Wood apparently treated this game like a playoff contest, pitching three scoreless innings, striking out three, allowing one hit, and walking none.
Kris Bryant struck out in both of his at bats, about which someone somewhere will overreact in the same way that we overreacted to his homer.
Each of Albert Almora (who had a sliding catch) and Arismendy Alcantara started and reached base once in three plate appearances (Almora with a single, Alcantara with a walk).
Emilio Bonifacio had a couple hits out of the leadoff spot and stole a base. It seems likely that, assuming he makes the roster, on the days he starts, he’ll be batting at the top of the order.
Darwin Barney played shortstop and didn’t have any errors, but I can’t tell you how he looked out there. We’ll have to await reports on that one.
Mike Olt had a single and a strikeout in his three at bats on the day while playing first base.
Jorge Soler came in late as the DH, walked, and then was caught trying to steal. Folks on the Twitters made it sound like the broadcast made it sound like it was a bad call. Either way, it’s good to know his leg is feeling well enough to try and steal bases.
Justin Grimm, who followed Wood, was the only Cubs pitcher to give up a run, on two hits and a walk. Each of Hector Rondon, Chang-Yong Lim, Marcus Hatley, and Tommy Hottovy threw a scoreless frame thereafter. All but Lim struck out one batter.
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.
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