Cubs Can't Solve Socratic Problem (Speed)

Socrates Brito rifled a line-drive into the RF corner and then raced around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run, and Ben Eckels threw three innings of one-hit ball and combined with four relievers to toss a shutout, as the Diamondbacks blanked the Cubs 2-0 in Arizona Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

RHP Starling Peralta got the start for the Cubs and threw 3.2 IP of one-hit shutout ball, and RHP Pierce Johnson followed Peralta and threw 2.2 IP of shutout ball with five strikeouts. 

There wasn’t much offense for the Cubs today. Gioskar Amaya singled twice, and Jorge Soler reached base on a walk and on an opposite-field double into the right-centerfield alley.

Here is the abridged box score from today’s game (Cubs players only)

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 2-4 (F-8, 1B, K, 1B, CS)
2. Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-4 (F-7, F-7, F-9, 4-6-3 DP)
3a. Jeimer Candelario, DH #1: 1-2 (2B, F-8)
3b. Justin Marra, C: 1-2 (1B, K)
4. Jorge Soler, DH #2: 1-2 (BB, 4-3, 2B)
5. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 0-3 (K, 3-U, K)
6. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 1-3 (6-3, 2B, 5-3)
7. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 0-2 (4-3, HBP, 4-3)
8. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-3 (K, 6-4-3 DP, P-6)
9. Bijan Rademacher, LF: 0-3 (6-3, K, 1-3)
10a. Lance Rymel, C-DH: 1-2 (4-3, 1B)
10b. David Bote, PH: 0-1 (4-3)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Starling Peralta: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 47 pitches (32 strikes), 4/7 GO/FO
2. Pierce Johnson: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 PO, 45 pitches (26 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Carlos Martinez: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 17 pitches (12 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO
4. Paul Blackburn: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 27 pitches (17 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 1
P Starling Peralta - E-1 (dropped throw from 1st baseman attempting to complete 3-1 putout allowing batter to reach base safely)

WEATHER: Sunny, hot, and breezy, with temperatures in the high-90’s

ATTENDANCE: 18 (mostly scouts)