Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (2/22/20): Cubs 12, Athletics 2 – Marquee’s Maiden Voyage Features Cubs Romp
Chicago Cubs baseball is back on the air. Well, exhibition baseball, but still pretty good. The Cubs welcomed Oakland to Sloan Park for the debut of Marquee Sports Network, which had a few issues with its carriage Saturday.
Alec Mills, one of a few pitchers battling for the fifth starter job, got the nod and pitched a clean inning in the 1st. Willson Contreras got the offense rolling in the 2nd with a long home run to left center off of Lou Trivino. Leadoff hitter Kris Bryant padded the lead later in the inning with a two-run single to left.
Once the starters were pulled, the less-heralded players did not let up on an undermanned A’s road squad. Chicago added nine more runs to make it an easy victory, with a long three-run homer from Trent Giambrone in the 9th standing out from a bunch of singles. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Won
The Cubs regulars jumped out to an early lead that was more than enough against a reduced A’s roster.
Key Moment
It was nice to see the main starters put together a rally in the 2nd inning. Way too early to tell how the new look lineup will play, but Bryant driving in two runs with his second at-bat was nice.
Stats That Matter
- Contreras also nailed a runner trying to advance to second on a wild pitch in the 3rd.
- Jason Adam, signed to a minor league deal, displayed some pretty nasty stuff in his one inning of work.
- Javy Báez drew a walk in his first plate appearance of the spring. Is this a new Javy? I guess you’ll have to keep watching to find out. Unless, that is, you can’t due to Marquee’s carriage issues.
Bottom Line
The long cold winter is finally over! It may still be chilly for those of us not in Arizona, but baseball is back in our lives for the next seven months. Perhaps everyone will even be able to watch the games before long as well.
On Deck
Tyler Chatwood and the Cubs head to Glendale to battle the Dodgers Sunday at 2:05pm CT. Marquee Sports Network will air the game.