Spring Training Miscellany: Angels 6, Cubs 7 – March 23, 2013

The Cubs came back today, after going down 4-0 early to the minor league Angels. The win brought them to .500 for the Spring, at 15 and 15. That actually gives them the third best record in the Cactus League, if you can believe it, behind the Braves (oh my, Spring Training really does reflect ability!) and the Rockies (oh, never mind).

• Chicago Cubs starting pitchers have been doing two things lately: (1) walking no one, and (2) hitting the crap out of the ball. In their last 33 collective innings, Cubs starters have issued two(!!!) walks. They’re also 5 for their last 7 at the plate, including a Jeff Samardzija homer.
• Edwin Jackson played a part in that trend today, with two hits at the plate and no walks on the mound, but he gave up eight hits and five earned runs.
• Unfortunately Carlos Marmol did as Carlos Marmol does in this one, walking two and hitting another batter. He gave up only one “unearned” run, but, I mean, yeah.
• Hisanori Takahashi got in two innings of scoreless work, allowing two hits and striking out two.
• Rafael Dolis pitched a scoreless 9th, but gave up two hits in the process.
• Steve Clevenger, who’s hoping to be the Cubs’ 25th man, got a late at bat and doubled, while taking over behind the plate.
• Don’t look now, but Luis Valbuena has gone ice cold after his hot Spring start and hot Winter League play. It doesn’t really matter, since guys go through streaks all the time, but he’s the man at third base against righties when the season opens. So … get hot again, Luis.
• Scott Hairston hit his third homer of the Spring, and Brent Lillibridge had another hit (a triple).