Cubs Come Ever So Close to a No-No at Sloan Park

SP DJ Herz hurled four innings of no run / no hit ball with six strikeouts and combined with three relievers on a two-hit shutout, Ismael Mena singled, doubled, stole two bases, and scored a run, and Brayan Altuve (RBI double) and Yeison Santana (RBI single) collected run scoring hits, as the Cubs blanked the Rockies 4-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.  

The Rockies were held hitless until one out in the top of the 9th when DH Francisco Garcia reached base on an infield single (a high chopper that was cut-off by Cubs third-baseman Christopher Paciolla between 2nd & 3rd, but his off-balance throw to 1st base just didn't have quite enough juice on it and Garcia was safe by a half-step). Cubs RP Eligio Paredes surrendered another single grounded through the 5.5 hole and into LF with two outs, but then got a strikeout (swinging) to strand the runners, preserve the shutout, and end the game.   

Prior to the game, LHPs Burl Carraway, Stephen Gonsalves, Drew Gray, and Brailyn Marquez, and RHPs Zac Leigh, Kenyi Perez, and JP Wheat threw bullpen sides on the 12-pack, and RHP Danis Correa threw "live" BP on Field #6.  

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

EXST CUBS LINEUP:
1. James Triantos, DH: 0-4 (6-3, F-8, 5-3, 5-4-3 DP, RBI) 
2a. Ed Howard, SS: 0-3 (K, 6-3, 4-3)
2b. Geuri Lubo, SS: 1-1 (2B, R) 
3a. Jefferson Rojas, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K) 
3b. Yeison Santana, 2B: 1-2 (K, 1B, RBI)
4a. Adan Sanchez, C: 1-2 (K, 1B) 
4b. Jairo Diaz, C: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3)
5a. Anderson Suriel, 1B: 0-2 (5-3, 4-3) 
5b. Frank Hernandez, 1B: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R)
6. Brayan Altuve, LF-CF: 1-4 (K, K, 2B, F-9, RBI)
7a. Alexis Hernandez, 3B: 0-2 (K, K) 
7b. Christopher Paciolla, 3B: 0-2 (K, K)
8a. Ismael Mena, CF: 2-2 (1B, 2B, R, 2 SB) 
8b. Raino Coran, RF: 0-0 (BB, R) 
9. Christian Olivo, RF-LF: 1-2 (P-6, BB, 1B) 

EXST CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. DJ Herz: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 1/5 GO/AO, 64 pitches (40 strikes) 
2. Eduarniel Nunez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1/1 GO/AO, 23 pitches (14 strikes) 
3. Starlyn Pichardo: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 5/3 GO/AO, 37 pitches (17 strikes) 
4. Eligio Paredes: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 30 pitches (19 strikes) 

EXST CUBS ERRORS: 1 
P Eligio Paredes: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd)

EXST CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
Adan Sanchez: 0-2 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

ATTENDANCE: 24  

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"