Postgame Wrap: Lackey on the Mound; Video of Beautiful Almora Grab

Today was one of those days that makes you happy they serve cold beer at the game. The Cubs had trouble converting when they had the chance today, leaving the bases loaded twice in the game with nothing to show for it. The end result was a Cubs loss by the score of 10-0.

If this was the regular season there’d be more than a few people concerned. Well, lucky for us it’s still Cactus League play. In fact, we’re almost halfway through spring ball and there’s only 19 days left until the Cubs opening day match-up against the Angels….YES!

We should still talk about the game today though. Here’s a few of the highlights:

• Lackey showed a little bit of his fiery side today in the first inning when, on a pitch to Lorenzo Cain, he didn’t get the strike call from the umpire. He stepped off the mound and his body language said it all while he starred down said umpire. Keep in mind, this is the first inning of a spring training game, can you imagine what watching this guy pitch during the regular season is going to be like? It’s gonna be fun, no doubt. And the next pitch? Called strike for the strikeout….atta boy! Lackey pitched five innings and gave up two runs on six hits with four strikeouts. His fastball looked good, hitting the low 90’s and his slider was working well. An overall good outing for John.

• The bullpen was another story, and not a good one. Pedro Strop gave up a three-run home run to Reymond Fuentes in the bottom of the seventh inning. He was followed in the eighth inning by Rondon, who just got pounded as he faced nine batters in the inning until he got the hook with two outs. He gave up five runs, including a two-run home run. I’m not sure what went wrong or what he wanted to accomplish but I will update you if I ever figure it out.

• Offensively, the Cubs managed to load the bases twice, with no runs coming from either effort. Ben Zobrist was the only Cubs player that managed more than a single, with a double down the right field line in the top of the fourth inning.

• The highlight of the game came on a beautiful diving catch by Albert Almora in center field in the bottom of the seventh inning. Check it out!

Tracking with @albertalmora. #LetsGopic.twitter.com/kEHWbSwt6s

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 16, 2016

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s day and game time is at 6:05 CST from Sloan Park. It’ll be Jason Hammel on the mound taking on Rubby De La Rosa for the Diamondbacks.