Cubs Rally to Squeeze Past Giant Orange at Riverview

RHP Ivan Medina hurled three innings of shutout ball (in relief), Alexander Guerra singled and scored twice and drove-in a run, and Eric Gonzalez drilled a two-run double to break a 4-4 tie, as the Cubs rallied to upend the Giants orange squad 6-4 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action on Field #5 on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 
 
Beicker Mendoza (RBI double), Cody Brickhouse (two-run double), and Dylan Manwaring (RBI triple) contributed run-scoring extra-base hits for the Giants to highlight a four-run 4th that chased RHRP Eury Ramos before he could retire a batter in his second inning of work.

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

As happened with Brendan King and Enrique de los Rios a couple of weeks ago, Ivan Medina is being stretched-out at EXST in likely anticipation of either being a SP at Eugene or possibly a move-up to South Bend where he would work as a "swing-man" out of the SB-Cubs bullpen. (I. Medina was the last cut from the South Bend roster at the end of Minor League Camp). 

Prior to the Cactus League game on Field #5, RHP Ryan Williams (2017 shoulder surgery) and RHP Peyton Remy (Cubs 2017 17th round draft pick - Central Arizona JC) threw "live" BP on Field #4 (one "inning" & 25 pitches a piece).   

In EXST Cubs roster news, OF Roberto Caro has been moved-up to South Bend. 

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Fernando Kelli, CF: 0-4 (K, F-8, 4-6 FC, K)
2. Yovanny Cuevas, LF: 1-4 (K, F-8, 4-3, 1B, SB)
3. Luis Vazquez, SS: 1-3 (5-3, 2B, F-7, BB, R)
4. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 1-3 (BB, K, 2B, K, 2 R)
5. Alexander Guerra, DH #1: 2-4 (1B, E-9, 1B, P-4, 2 R, RBI)
6. Carlos Pacheco, DH #2: 0-3 (F-8, K, BB, 6-3, R)
7a. Gustavo Polanco, C: 0-1 (F-7 SF, L-1, RBI)
7b. Eric Gonzalez, C: 1-2 (2B, L-8, 2 RBI)
8. Fidel Mejia, 3B: 0-3 (K, 4-3, P-3)
9. Kevin Zamudio, 1B: 1-2 (F-8, BB, 1B)
10. Delvin Zinn, 2B: 0-2 (F-8, BB, P-3)

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Faustino Carrera: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 5/1 GO/AO, 21 pitches (14 strikes)
2. Eury Ramos: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 1/2 GO/AO, 35 pitches (19 strikes) 
3. Jeffrey Passantino: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 30 pitches (24 strikes) 
4. Ivan Medina: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 4/2 GO/AO, 51 pitches (33 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Gustavo Polanco: 0-1 CS 

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 
CF Fernando Kelli  - runner thrown out 7-6-2 attempting to score from 1st base on double (relay by SS Luis Vazquez)

ATTENDANCE: 7 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

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