Imanaga & Wicks Bank 21 Strikeouts on the Backfields

Shota Imanaga threw 5.1 IP of one-run ball with 13 strikeouts (eight swinging) and Ed Howard singled twice, stole a base, scored a run, and drove-in two more, as the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs Hi-A affiliate) edged the Eugene Emeralds (San Francisco Giants Hi-A affiliate) 3-2 on Field # 6, and Jordan Wicks hurled six innings of two hit / no run ball with eight strikeouts (all eight swinging) and combined with two relievers on a five-hit shutout, as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs Lo-A affiliate) blanked the San Jose Giants (Lo-A affiliate of the Giants) 4-0 on Field # 5, in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training game action Wednesday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Along with the 13 punchouts, Imanaga also walked two, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch, and surrendered five hits, including a towering solo HR by 19-year old 6'7 LH-hitting first-baseman (former RHP) Bryce Eldridge (Giants 2023 1st round pick) on a 1-0 pitch with two outs in the top of the 1st inning that landed way beyond the RF fence and on the roof of the enclosed batting cages located due east of Field # 6. 

Imanaga and Wicks brought an entourage with them from big league camp that included two experienced catchers (Joe Hudson and Bryce Windham), pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, an MLB trainer, a translator (for Imanaga, not for Wicks), chauffeured golf carts, and a media liaison person (also for Imanaga).  

Here are the abridged box scores from the games (Cubs players only): 

FIELD # 5

MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS LINEUP: 
1. Bryce Windham, C-DH: 1-3 (1B, 4-3, 4-3 DP, R) 
NOTE: Slot was skipped fourth time thru batting order
2. Cristian More, CF: 0-4 (3-U, 4-3, F-7, 6-3) 
3. Reggie Preciado, DH #1: 3-3 (1B, 1B, 1B, R, 2 SB, CS) 
4. Cristian Hernandez, SS-DH: 0-2 (F-9 SF, BB, P-3, F-9, R, RBI, 2 SB) 
5. Drew Bowser, 1B: 1-3 (L-6, BB, K, 1B) 
6. Rafael Morel, 2B: 0-4 (5-3, K, F-9, K) 
7. Christopher Paciolla, 3B: 0-3 (K, E-6, K) 
8. Adan Sanchez, DH-C: 0-3 (K, 5-3, 4-3)
9. Alfonsin Rosario, RF: 1-2 (2B, BB, K, R)
10. Leonel Espinoza, LF: 0-1 (F-7 SF, BB, P-4, RBI)
11. Alexis Hernandez, DH-SS: 0-2 (K, K) 
NOTE: Slot was skipped first time thru batting order 

MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS PITCHERS: 
1. Jordan Wicks: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 6/3 GO/AO, 83 pitches (45 strikes) 
2. Shane Marshall: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/AO, 31 pitches (13 strikes) 
3. Alfredo Romero: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 3/0 GO/AO, 31 pitches (16 strikes) 

MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS ERRORS: 1 
3B Christopher Paciolla: E-5 (fielding miscue allowed batter to reach base safely) 
 

FIELD # 6

SOUTH BEND CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Joe Hudson, C-DH: 1-2 (1B, K, BB, R)
1b. Frank Hernandez, PH: 0-1 (6-3)
2. Brett Bateman, CF: 1-3 (F-8, F-9, BB, 1B) 
3. Ed Howard, SS: 2-4 (6-3, 1B, 1B, 1-3, R, 2 RBI, SB)
4a. Jonathon Long, 1B: 2-2 (1B, 2B, RBI) 
4b. Anderson Suriel, 1B: 0-1 (P-4) 
5. Andy Garriola, RF: 0-2 (6-3, F-7 SF, P-4, RBI)
6a. Luis Verdugo, 3B-DH: 0-2 (K, K)
6b. David Avitia, PH: 0-1 (K) 
7. Ethan Hearn, DH-C: 0-3 (3-U, F-7, 6-3)
8. Jefferson Encarnacion, LF: 0-3 (K, K, K) 
9. Josh Rivera, DH-3B: 1-3 (K, 1B, K, R, SB) 

SOUTH BEND CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Shota Imanaga: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 13 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/AO, 88 pitches (55 strikes)
2. Adrian Gonzalez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/AO, 34 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Will Sanders: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 3/2 GO/AO, 27 pitches (11 strikes) 
 
SOUTH BEND CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Ed Howard: E-6 (booted grounder allowing runner to reach base safely)  
2. P Will Sanders: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd base) 

SOUTH BEND CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Joe Hudson: 0-3 CS, 1 PO  

SOUTH BEND CUBS OUTFIELD ASSIST: 
RF Andy Garriola - threw out baserunner 9-5 after runner tried to advance to 3rd after errant pickoff attempt at 1st

WEATHER: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the 70's 

ATTENDANCE: 34 

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