Chicago Cubs Recap and Score (3/26/19): Cubs 16, Red Sox 7 – Cubs Rake in Spring Finale
The Red Sox met the Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa for the final match of their two-game series to close out spring training play. Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks was scratched from the lineup due to the announcement of his contract extension today, and reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was tapped to open a bullpen game.
The Cubs came out swinging, scoring 16 runs on 15 hits in an easy victory over Beantown in which a grand total of 19 pitchers were used. Seven of those knocks went for extra bases, including Kyle Schwarber’s first of the spring on an opposite-field fly against David Price. And even though it won’t count in the end, it was good to see the Cubs go 10-for-19 with RISP. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Won
The Cubs were able to keep the line moving, rallying for two runs to take the lead in the 3rd and piling on with three runs in the 4th, eight in the 5th, one in the 6th, and two in the 8th. The Cubs’ pitching was clean, with the exception of Ian Clarkin, who was tagged for five runs in the 8th without recording a single out.
Key Moments
Anthony Rizzo singled off Boston starter David Price in the bottom of the 3rd to score Albert Almora Jr. and Ben Zobrist to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
Victor Caratini, leading off the bottom of the 5th for the Cubs, was hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree, sparking an eight-run rally.
Stats that Matter
- 10 of the Cubs’ 16 runs were batted in with two outs
- Wynton Bernard had a great day off the bench, going 3-for-4 with 2 runs, 3 RBI and one HR
- Boston went 2-for-4 with RISP to the Cubs’ 10-for-19
Bottom Line
The Cubs had a strong finish to the exhibition season, sweeping Boston in the closing two-game series and scoring a total of 43 runs in their final three games.
On Deck
Opening Day is nearly here! Jon Lester will take the ball for the Cubs against the Texas Rangers in Arlington on Thursday afternoon at 3:05pm CT. You can watch on WGN or listen on 670 The Score.