Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/24/22): Angels 5, Cubs 4 – Triantos Rakes in Loss

The Cubs opened up a 3-0 lead early in their game against the Angels, but Adrian Sampson struggled mightily in relief and coughed up the lead. Among other notes, this game featured the spring training debut of free-agent pickup Andrelton Simmons.

Justin Steele got his second start of the spring and was serviceable if not spectacular in his two innings of work. While he didn’t allow a run, he had some control issues at times (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

After Steele exited following two scoreless innings, Chris Martin provided a clean inning of relief before Sampson allowed four runs on five hits in an inning and a third to allow the Halos to take a 4-3 lead.

After the Cubs scored one in the top of the 7th, thanks to James Triantos‘ RBI single to tie it, the Angels’ Taylor Ward hit a solo homer in the bottom of the frame to score the eventual game-winner.

Key Moment

Patrick Wisdom got his first hit of the spring, an RBI single in the third inning after starting the preseason 0-for-6.

Stats That Matter

• It was also the first spring game for Triantos, who made the most of it going 2-for-2 with two well-hit singles and an RBI.
• New Cubs reliever Martin got his first action of the spring and threw one perfect inning.
• Yan Gomes went 1-for-3 to notch his first hit and first RBI of the spring.

On Deck

The Cubs will head back home to Sloan Park to take on the Colorado Rockies at 3:05pm CT. Alec Mills is slated to make his second start of the spring and right fielder Seiya Suzuki is expected to make his Cubs debut.