Postgame Wrap: Cubs v Padres; Arrieta on the Mound

This was one of those games that makes spring training seem really, really, really long. We all love it when the Cubs win, even if it doesn’t count, so sometimes Cactus League games can be a little frustrating to watch. Just remember that opening day is in 21 days…hang in there.

Jake Arrieta took the mound today and got in four innings of quality work. He looked (mostly) in control and poised throughout. The only run he gave up was on a ground rule double. It was a fly ball hit to Jorge Soler, who should’ve made the catch easily. Jorge had a rough day in left field today as he also committed an error in the top of the fifth inning that turned a single into a sandlot home run.

Arrieta’s final numbers – four innings pitched, two hits, one run (really unearned), two walks and five strikeouts. He was consistently in the mid-to-lower nineties, topping out at ninety-six MPH on the gun.

There wasn’t much offense from the Cubs today as they lost to San Diego by the score of 10-2. The Padres managed to score at least one run in each of the final five innings, including a four-run sixth inning off Cubs reliever, and former 2012 first round pick, Pierce Johnson. Johnson gave up two consecutive two-run home runs in the inning.

Kris Bryant went 1 for 3 with an RBI double in the top of the first inning, driving in Ben Zobrist. Here’s a video highlight of that play:

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Dexter Fowler drove a single up the middle past a diving Padre Second Baseman, Cory Spangenberg, to score Addison Russell and tie the game, however briefly, 2-2.

I know it can be tough watching Cactus League play without getting too critical. Just keep breathing and remember that this is only spring training (breathe, repeat).

The Cubs head to Peoria Sports Complex tomorrow to take on the Padres, once again. The game starts at 3:10 CST as Clayton Richard takes the ball for the Cubs against the Padres’ Tyson Ross.