Brett Jackson Back in the Saddle at Fitch Ranch

The EXST Cubs rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the EXST Diamondbacks 6-6, in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game played this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa, AZ.

The Cubs did have a chance to win the game, but Reggie Golden popped out to the first-baseman to end the bottom of the 9th, leaving the potential winning run stranded at 3rd base.

Tennessee OF (and Cubs 2009 1st round draft pick and #1 position player prospect) Brett Jackson saw his first game action since going on the Smokies DL with a finger injury on May 12th, getting four plate appearances as a DH, one in each of the first four innings.

B-Jax ripped a line-drive single to RF in his first AB in the bottom of the 1st inning, grounded out 4-3 in the bottom of the 2nd, struck out swinging in the bottom of the 3rd, and hammered a triple off the right-centerfield fence (near HR) in the bottom of the 4th (and eventually scored on a Pin-Chieh Chen GO). Based on how he swung the bat today (very well), I doubt that he will be down here much longer.

LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke got the start for the Cubs and worked two strong innings (19 pitches - 16 strikes) allowing just a lead-off single on his first pitch to the first batter he faced, before retiring the next six in order, including three on strikeouts (two swinging).

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

NOTE: Brett Jackson was a DH and batted 3rd in the bottom of the 1st inning, 2nd in the bottom of the 2nd, and 1st in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings

LINEUP:
X. Brett Jackson, DH #1: 2-4 (1B, 4-3, K, 3B, R)
1. Pin-Chieh Chen, CF: 2-4 (3-U, 4-3, 3B, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
2a. Augie Ojeda, 2B: 1-2 (BB, 1B, F-8, R)
2b. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: NO AB
2c. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
3a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
3b. Marco Hernandez, DH #2: 1-2 (K, 1B, R, RBI)
4a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
4b. Gregori Gonzalez, DH #3: 0-1 (6-3, F-7 SF, RBI)
5. Jesus Morelli, LF: 3-4 (1B, 2B, 6-3, 1B, RBI, SB)
6. Brandon May, 3B: 0-4 (6-4-3 DP, K, 6-3, K)
7. Brian Inoa, C: 1-4 (F-8, 4-3, K, 1B, RBI)
8. Reggie Golden, RF: 0-4 (F-8, K, 3-U, P-3)
9. Rafael Valdes, SS: 1-3 (5-3, 6-3, 1B)
10. Xavier Batista, 1B: 1-3 (K, 1B, 6-4 FC)
11. Carlos Romero, DH #4: 1-3 (K, 4-6 FC, 1B, 2 R)

PITCHERS:
1. Kyler Burke: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 19 pitches (16 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
2. Charles Thomas: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 32 pitches (19 strikes), 0/4 GO/FO
3. Brian Smith: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 17 pitches (9 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
4. Ramon Garcia: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 42 pitches (28 strikes), 4/5 GO/FO
5. Santo Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 14 pitches (8 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: 1
2B Gioskar Amaya - E4 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CATCHER’s DEFENSE:
Brian Inoa 0-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 13

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90’s