CI Recap (3/22/18) – Giants 4, Cubs 3: Strop Debuts, Contreras Continues to Mash
Just one week out from opening the season in Miami, the Cubs are looking for some clarity in their final roster spots. Some of that came in last evening’s game against the Giants with the spring training debut of Pedro Strop. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Lost
Buster Posey hit a three-run home run in the 3rd inning off of Jose Quintana to tie the game at three apiece. The game would stay that way until the bottom of the 9th, when the Giants were able to walk off against Randy Rosario.
Key Moment
The Cubs started the game off strong against Chris Stratton with a two-out rally in the 1st inning to score two runs. Anthony Rizzo doubled on a fly ball to deep left-center followed by a Willson Contreras walk and a patient Addison Russell at the plate smacking an RBI single. Stratton also had a wild pitch later in the inning to score the second run.
Stats That (Don’t) Matter
- Quintana was able to grind through six innings of work with the only damage coming off of Posey in the 3rd – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
- Contreras continued his hot spring, hitting the ball with authority – 2-for-2, 2B, BB, R
- Jason Heyward made a nice sliding grab in right field, but was unable to get it going at the plate as he went 0-for-3 on the night.
Bottom Line
Pedro Strop made his spring training debut and he looked sharp for a first outing (1.0 IP, 0 H, K). Strop has been adamant that he is ready for the regular season but concedes that Cubs officials are still analyzing how many outings he can get in before next Thursday.
On Deck
The Cubs play the Brew Crew at Sloan Park today, March 23 at 3:05 CT. Tyler Chatwood will take the mound facing the Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff. The game can be heard on 670 The Score.
