Eloy Does His Part, But Cub Bullpen Can't Hold the Lead in Scottsdale

Eloy Jimenez drilled a two-run single, walked twice, reached base on an HBP, and scored a run, Jemile Weeks singled twice, walked twice, and scored two runs, Yovanny Cuevas singled three times, stole a base, and scored two runs, Carlos Diaz belted an RBI double and an RBI single and scored a run, Jhonny Bethencourt singled twice, walked, stole a base, knocked-in two runs, and scored another, and Jose Gonzalez ripped an RBI double and a single and scored a run, helping the Cubs take an early 6-0 lead, but the Giants "black" squad rallied to get within a run at 6-5 in the 7th, and then after the Cubs took an 8-5 lead in the top of the 9th on the Eloy two-run single, the Giants scored three times in the bottom of the 9th, as the two teams played to an 8-8 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Field #2 (AKA "Jim Davenport Field") at Indian School Park in Scottsdale, AZ.    

The game was called with two outs in the bottom of the 9th after the Giants tied the game.

Cubs LHRP Jose MacDonna left the game with what appeared to be a blister on his left index finger after facing only four batters in the 5th (and all four reached base and all four eventually scored the first four Giant runs).

Eloy Jimenez (on Myrtle Beach 7-day DL - March 2017 right shoulder injury) played RF for all nine innings, and he uncorked one long throw to third base in the 5th as a runner was attempting to advance from 1st to 3rd on a single down the RF line. And although the runner was safe at 3rd, it was the best throw and the strongest throw I've seen Eloy make all year.

Jemile Weeks (on AAA Iowa 7-day DL - February 2017 sprained knee) continued his EXST rehab in the game, playing SS for all nine innings (he has played 2B-SS-CF-LF so far). Weeks expects to remain at EXST through the weekend, and then will be re-evaluated on Monday.  

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Zach Davis, CF: 0-5 (1-3, L-7, 4-3, K, K)
2. Jemile Weeks,  SS: 2-3 (L-8, 1B, BB, BB, 1B, 2 R)
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 1-2 (BB, BB, E-5, HBP, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
4a. Michael Cruz, C: 1-3 (2B, F-9 DP, P-6)
4b. Kevin Zamudio, C: 0-2 (K, K)
5. Christopher Morel, DH #1: 0-5 (F-9, F-7, K, K, 6-3)
6. Jhonny Bethencourt, 3B: 2-3 (L-9, BB, 1B, 1B, R, 2 RBI, SB)
7. Yovanny Cuevas, LF: 3-3 (1B, 1B, 1B, 5-3 SH, 2 R, SB, CS)
8. Luis Diaz, 2B: 0-3 (6-3, F-7 SF, K, K, RBI)
9. Carlos Diaz, 1B-DH: 2-3 (1B, 2B, F-7, R, 2 RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRUI BATTING ORDER
10. Joe Martarano, DH-1B: 1-2 (1B, 6-3)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
11. Jose A. Gonzalez, DH #3: 2-4 (F-8, 2B, L-9, 1B, R, RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Javier Assad: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/3 GO/AO, 16 pitches (12 strikes)
2. Hector Garcia: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1/3 GO/AO, 34 pitches (23 strikes)
3. Jose MacDonna: 0.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 13 pitches (6 strikes)
4. Jose Leidenz: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 4/1 GO/AO, 18 pitches (13 strikes)
5. Andin Diaz: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 17 pitches (14 strikes)
6. Elvis Diaz: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, (3 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2/3 GO/AO, 46 pitches (27 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
1B Carlos Diaz: E-3 (two-base fielding error allowed batter to reach 2nd base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Michael Cruz: 0-2 CS
2. Kevin Zamudio: 0-1 CS, 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 10
WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's

Arizona
Scoring
Service