Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/15/21): Cubs 4, White Sox, 4 – Late Comeback Nets Third Tie This Spring

The Cubs (7-5-3) entered today’s matchup against their crosstown rivals having been outscored 19-6 in their last three games. Alec Mills took the mound for the third time sporting a 2.08 ERA to square off against Dylan Cease, who made his Cactus League debut.

Mills went three innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout. His ERA now sits at 4.91, so here’s hoping he can use the rest of spring training to get back on track before Opening Day. Aside from an RBI single by Jose Abreu in the 7th inning off of Ryan Tepera, the bullpen pitched well for the second straight game. As a group, they went six innings while giving up one earned run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Down 3-0 in the 4th inning, Jake Marisnik chopped an RBI single into right in his first Cubs action. David Bote put the second run on the board with a double later in the inning and the Cubs tied it in the 7th with an RBI single by Alfonso Rivas. The Cubs trailed 4-3 in the 9th until Patrick Wisdom tied it with a home run to right. (Box Score)

Why did the Cubs Tie?

The White Sox jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, courtesy of two RBI singles off the bat of (gulp) Eloy Jiménez. But the Cubs chipped away at the lead in the 4th and again in the 7th to tie the game late. After Tepera gave the lead back to the South Siders, Wisdom came up clutch with a game-tying home run off of closer Liam Hendricks. In the bottom of the 9th, Blake Rutherford had a chance to win it for the White Sox but grounded into a game-ending double play, resulting in a tie.

Key Moments

Rivas continues to shine this spring, driving in yet another run while going 1-for-2 on the day. The run-scoring play wasn’t all good, however, as Rivas could be seen clutching his hamstring as he ran to second base. The trainer came out to check on him and he was forced to leave the game.

Stats That Matter

• Mills started the day with a 2.08 ERA and ended it at 4.91
• Rivas is now batting .406 for the spring
• Joc Pederson is batting .500 with a 1.780 OPS. Even when he makes an out, he’s hitting the ball hard
• The bullpen has only allowed two runs and two walks in the last two games while striking out nine batters

What’s Next

The Cubs enjoy an off day Tuesday and then welcome the San Diego Padres to Sloan Park on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05pm CT. The Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound in opposition of the Padres’ Chris Paddack.