Postgame Wrap: Mets 8, Cubs 1; Almora’s Great Catch (Video)

The countdown to the Cubs opener is on….only 3 more days! It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in Wrigley Field watching the final game of the NLCS thinking ‘I can’t wait for next season.’ And now, here we are. One. Weekend. Left.

The Cubs battled(!) the Mets today at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada (Box Score here). Jason Hammel pitched for the Cubs and went four innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

Hammel allowed runners in all four innings and, with the exception of a run scoring in the 2nd inning due to a Zobrist throwing error and a home run by Cespedes in the top of the 3rd inning, was able to make good pitches when needed to register timely strikeouts. That was a good sign for Jason.

After Hammel, it became a rotating door of minor league pitchers. C.J. Riefenhauser, Andury Acevado, Michael Jensen, Michael Wagner and Felix Pena each pitched one inning. C.J. was the only reliever that didn’t allow a hit, while neither he or Jensen allowed a run.

Wagner allowed a three-run home run to Ty Kelly in the top of the eighth inning. Pena allowed back-to-back home runs in the top of the ninth inning.

The Cubs were only able to muster up one run on three hits today. That run came in the bottom of the 6th inning when, after a Tommy La Stella double, the Cubs loaded the bases and John Andreoli walked to score La Stella.

The highlight of the day for the Cubs came on another great catch from Albert Almora. This is pretty.

The Cubs are off tomorrow and will pay their final exhibition game on Sunday, April 3, in Anaheim, CA, against the Angels at 2:05 CDT with Kyle Hendricks scheduled to make the start.