You know everything you need to know now. Have a good night!
I kid, because there are some other bright spots, but, all in all, it was an ugly one. The Cubs got blasted by the A’s at HoHoKam 14-2 (bad enough that Gameday broke in the 8th inning), and the Cubs lost at Sloan to the Diamondbacks 5-1 in the “B” game earlier.
What can you say about Edwin Jackson’s day? He arrived late to the park – he first went to the A’s old stadium – and then got absolutely blasted over 1.2 innings. No, he didn’t allow any walks, but the eight hits – including five(!) doubles and a homer – resulted in nine earned runs. It’s just a Spring Training start, but it looks like an exaggerated version of what’s plagued him the last two years (simply too hittable), and it’s hard to know where this thing goes.
Blake Parker was pressed into starting duty, and it didn’t go so well – he allowed a couple earned on three hits (including a homer).
Drake Britton allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk. He hasn’t had a bad Spring, but the numbers game might get him, and the Cubs will be forced to try and get him through waivers if they want to keep him.
That’s unlike Joe Ortiz, who still has options left, and pitched another scoreless frame. In terms of results, the lefty’s had a fantastic Spring.
Dexter Fowler was a bright spot offensively, notching a hit and walking twice. Very leadoff-y. Do that again in the season, Dexter.
Jorge Soler had a hit and a walk. Javier Baez took a walk.
Aside from the homer, Bryant made his third error in the field. Under normal circumstances, you probably wouldn’t even bother mentioning a thing like that, but, since Bryant’s defense has become a talking point – artificial or otherwise – there you go.
BN’er Bob was at the “B” game today, and shared some thoughts. Kyle Hendricks looked sharp, and the results matched, with Hendricks going five scoreless with a hit, no walks, and either two or three strikeouts, depending on whom you ask (“B” games, man). The bullpenners – Justin Grimm, Neil Ramirez, and Zac Rosscup – pitched well, except Daniel Bard. Unfortunately his second outing went much like the first, which, in turn, went much like the last couple years. He didn’t have any command or control, and walked the first four batters he faced (according to Bob’s recollection).
On the lighter side, Bob said that, at one point, a Cubs runner was given one too many bases on an errant throw (allowed to score from first, instead of going to third), and Joe Maddon came out to explain that the runner should be at third. As Bob said, “You certainly won’t see THAT during regular season!”
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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