CI Recap (3/10/17) – Mariners 11, Cubs 10: What’s Happ-ening? The Professor Schools the M’s

The Cubs traveled to Peoria Friday to play the Mariners for the second consecutive day. Kyle Hendricks made his second start of the spring in front of a lineup of mostly minor leaguers.

The Professor was in mid-season form in his 3 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out four batters on 43 pitches, 29 of which were strikes. Neither team was able to dent the scoresheet over the first 4 innings.

The Cubs finally struck first in the top of the 5th, when first baseman Chris Dominguez hit a two-run homer down the right field line. Albert Almora then tripled home Jon Jay to expand the lead to 3-0.

After the Mariners responded with a run in the 5th, the Cubs went back to work. Ian Happ doubled home Eloy Jimenez and was then plated by a Dominguez double. A Chesny Young longball then knocked in Dominguez to put the Northsiders up 7-1.

Happ’s day went from a good to great in the 7th inning, when the switch-hitting infielder blasted a three-run bomb to give Chicago a 10-2 lead. It’s hard not to get excited about Happ’s potential at the dish after a day like this.

The M’s staged a #FakeRally off of Dylan Floro to cut the Cubs lead to 10-6. Luis Liberato added some excitement, with a two-run inside the park homer in the 8th. Alas, as is often the case in Spring Training, the young pitchers couldn’t close it out and Seattle walked it off, 11-10.

Stats That Matter

• Chris Dominguez had a big day with a homer, double, and 3 RBI. The AAA veteran probably won’t get much mention, but this was a very nice game.
• Ian Happ was 4-for-5 with 4 RBI; AA pitchers are going to have a handful with Ian this season.
• Dan Vogelbach had a pair of opposite-field hits today. He will be an intriguing trade piece for the Cubs this season…wait what? He already was traded you say? Sorry, old habits die hard.

Bottom Line

Kyle Hendricks was in dominant form in his second start of Spring Training. Oh, and Ian Happ can hit the baseball.

On Deck

The Rockies head to Sloan Park to battle the Cubs on Saturday afternoon. Jon Lester makes his second appearance of the spring at 2:05 CST.