Cubs Bats Batter and Cubs "D" Smothers A's at Riverview Park

Jose Paniagua (RBI triple off the top of the CF Batter's Eye - near HR), Wladimir Galindo (RBI double off the CF Batter's Eye), Alberto Mineo (RBI double into the right-centerfield alley), and Gustavo Polanco (two-run single through the box and into CF) contributed run-scoring hits to highlight a six-run 1st inning, and Galindo (RBI double off the RF fence) and Polanco (another two-run single into CF) tallied three more runs in the bottom of the 3rd, as the Cubs scored early and often and cruised to a 13-6 victory over the Athletics in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action Wednesday morning on Field #5 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Galindo also singled and scored in the 5th, going 3-3 in the game with two RBI and three runs scored, while Yeiler Peguero tripled and scored and singled to aid the Cub cause.
 
The defensive Play of the Game (and of the EXST Cubs season, so far) was turned-in by Cubs CF D. J. Wilson...

It was the top of the 4th, no outs, with the Cubs leading 9-2. The A's loaded the bases on an E-5 and two walks against RHP Javier Assad (2015 IFA - Mexico). and then Eric Marinez ripped a 1-0 pitch into the left-centerfield gap, what looked like a sure bases-clearing triple. But Wilson made a lunging-diving catch on the warning track, got to his feet, and fired a strike to SS Rafael Narea, who relayed the ball to 3rd base to double the runner off (the runner had neglected to tag up because it was a sure triple, right?), and then the runner at 2nd was almost tagged out attempting to advance to 3rd base after the catch (that runner did tag up), for what would have been one of the most amazing (and bizarre) triple plays ever seen. In fact I think if they had had replay available, it would have been ruled a triple play. As it was, it was an 8-6-5 double play as the batter and the runner at 3rd were retired. Wilson then made two more fine running catches in the top of the next inning, before moving to DH for the rest of the game. 

"Defensive Play of the Game" honorable mention goes to Cubs 1B Jose Paniagua, who made a nifty pick of a one-hop throw at 1st base to save an E-5 error (and a run) in the 6th.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. D. J. Wilson, CF-DH: 1-4 (6-3, K, P-6 DP, 1B)
2. Yeiler Peguero, 2B-DH: 2-4 (3B, 3-1, 1B, F-8, R)   
3. Kevonte Mitchell, RF-DH: 1-3 (BB, 1B, 5-3, K, 2 R, SB)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 1-3 (3B, BB, P-4, K, 2 R, RBI)
5. Wladimir Galindo, 3B-DH: 3-3 (2B, 2B, 1B, 3 R, 2 RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
6a. Marcus Mastrobuoni, C: 1-2 (1B, P-6, R)
6b. Tyler Pearson, PH-DH: 0-1 (BB, F-8, R)
7. Alberto Mineo, DH-C: 1-3 (2B, K, BB, K, 2 R, RBI)
8. Gustavo Polanco, DH #2: 2-4 (1B, 1B, FC+E5, 4-3, 4 RBI)
9. Rafael Narea, SS: 0-3 (BB, K, 4-3, K, RBI)
10. Yohan Matos, LF: 2-3 (1B, BB, 6-3, 1B, R)
11. Rafael Mejia, DH-3B: 1-2 (K, 1B)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER 
12. Ruben Reyes, DH-CF: 0-2 (5-3, K)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
13. Vimael Machin, DH-2B: 1-1 (BB, 1B, RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
14. Jose Gonzalez, DH-RF: 0-2 (F-7, K)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Erling Moreno: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 4/2 GO/AO, 43 pitches (22 strikes)
2. Javier Assad: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 0/3 GO/AO, 28 pitches (11 strikes)
3. Daniel Lewis: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 13 pitches (9 strikes)
4. Alexander Santana: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 3 HBP, 1 WP, 2 BALKS, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/AO. 32 pitches (16 strikes) 
5. Andry Rondon: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 29 pitches (14 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Rafael Narea: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. 3B Wladimir Galindo: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Marcus Mastrobuoni: 2-2 CS 

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 
1. CF D. J. Wilson - baserunner doubled off 3rd base 8-6-5 after F-8 
2. RF Kevonte Mitchell - batter thrown out 9-6 attempting to stretch single into double

CUBS BASERUNNING ADVENTURES: 
Yohan Matos - doubled off 1st base after P-6 out

ATTENDANCE: 21

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's