Postgame Wrap: Cubs v Indians; Hey, Only 15 Days to Cubs Opening Day!

Did I mention I’m ready for opening day? Ok, that’s not entirely true, I live here in Arizona so I’m actually kind of depressed about Cactus League ending in less than two weeks. But I am excited that I get to see the Cubs when they come back to Arizona for their second series of the year. All good.

I was on daddy duty (which, if you’re a parent you’ll know, is way different than ‘daddy doodie’) so I couldn’t make the game in Goodyear, but I did listen and I’ll try to convey what I heard.

Tonight’s game, as you can probably tell from my lead in comments, was one of those spring training games that, well, makes you wish spring training was over. I’m repeating myself, I know. I’ll stop. The Cubs lost tonight 10-5 to the Indians. Here are a few highlights from tonight’s game.

• Pierce Johnson looked better than he has all spring going four innings while giving up no runs, three hits and no walks. A marked improvement for Pierce and that was good to see (or hear) tonight.

• After back-to-back-to-back singles in the third inning by Pierce Johnson (who could do it all tonight), Ben Zobrist, and Addison Russell, Kris Bryant hit a single to left fielder Michael Brantley who threw out Zobrist at home plate. One run scored in the inning.

• In the fifth inning, Justin Grimm came on in relief and to say it wasn’t Justin’s night would be a severe understatement. Grimm got hit hard and didn’t show much control as he walked two, had a passed ball, gave up two hits (including a home run), and was charged with four runs. There’s no doubt that Justin is tinkering with ‘things’ so I’m not worried. Last year, over 49 innings he had a stellar 1.99 ERA and 12.1 K/9. He’ll be just fine.

• Cubs Pitchers Neil Ramirez and Jeffrey Antigua combined in the sixth inning (yes, I’m combining them, and you’ll see why) to give up five runs, four hits, two walks. Neither was particularly impressive but Antigua did manage to register three outs after he relieved Ramirez, who was charged with all five runs.

• The Cubs scored four more runs with three coming in the eighth inning off a two-run home run to deep right field. Their final run came in the top of the ninth inning when Munenori Kawasaki scored on a throwing error by third baseman Ronny Rodriguez.

The Cubs Jon Lester will go up against the Royals Ian Kennedy tomorrow at Sloan Park at 3:05 CDT. See you then!