Narea, Assad, Gutierrez, and Ademan Spark Cub Sweep at Talking Stick

Rafael Narea belted a solo HR, singled and scored, and stole a base, Roberto Caro drilled a bases-loaded bases-clearing triple and scored a run, and RHSP Javier Assad struck out six in three innings and combined with two relievers to hurl a three-hitter, as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 7-1 on Jackrabbit Field, and Jose Gutierrez and Aramis Ademan each ripped an RBI single and a double, stole a base, and scored a run, leading the Cubs to a 5-2 victory over the D'backs on Whirlwind Field, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training doubleheader action Thursday morning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.

With today's outing, Javier Assad has very likely entrenched himself in the Eugene starting rotation. A native of Baja California (Mexico), Assad was signed by the Cubs as a 17-year old IFA in July 2015. He made his pro debut at Extended Spring Training last year and did very well, and then followed that with a fine rookie season in the AZL. It is probable that at least 60% of the 2017 Eugene starting rotation (Albertos, Camargo, and Assad) will be from Mexico, with fellow Mexicans Manuel Rodriguez, Faustino Carrera, and Hector Garcia each having an outside chance to make it as well (the latter three being much more likely at this point in time to be assigned to the AZL Cubs).    

The game on Jackrabbit Field was called after eight innings of play, and the game on Whirlwind Field was called after six innings. 

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

JACKRABBIT FIELD

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Zach Davis, CF: 0-4 (P-6, K, 6-3, 3-1)
2. Roberto Caro, DH #1: 1-4 (K, 3B, K, 5-3, R, 3 RBI)
3. Yovanny Cuevas, LF: 1-4 (6-3, 1B, K, 1-3, RBI, CS)
4. Rafael Mejia, 3B: 0-4 (L-5, P-6, 4-3, K) 
5. Joe Martarano, 1B: 0-2 (P-2, BB, K)
6. Gustavo Polanco, DH #2: 0-3 (5-3, F-9, F-8)
7. Rafael Narea, SS: 2-3 (HR, F-9, 1B, 2 R, RBI, SB)
8. Edgar Rondon, 2B: 2-3 (1B, K, 1B, 2 R)
9. Carlos Diaz, C: 2-3 (1B, F-8, 1B, R, RBI)
10. Jose A. Gonzalez, RF: 1-2 (1B, HBP, 5-4 FC, R, SB)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS: 
1. Javier Assad: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 6 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 43 pitches (27 strikes) 
2. Hector Garcia: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/5 GO/AO, 31 pitches (21 strikes) 
3. Jose Leidenz: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 0/3 GO/AO, 41 pitches (22 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHIRLWIND FIELD 

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1a. Jose Gutierrez, CF: 2-3 (2B, F-8, 1B, R, RBI, SB)
1b. Ruben Reyes, PH-CF: 0-1 (K)
2. Aramis Ademan, SS: 2-3 (1B, 2B, K, R, RBI, SB)
3. Miguel Amaya, C-DH: 0-3 (F-9, K, P-4)
4. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 0-1 (BB, BB, K, R)
5. Kevin Zamudio, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 4-3)
6. Kwangmin Kwon, DH #1: 1-3 (1B, K, F-9, 2 RBI)
7. Richard Nunez, DH-C: 1-3 (F-8, F-7, 1B)
8. Fidel Mejia, 3B: 2-3 (4-3, 1B, 1B, R, PO)
9. Jhonny Bethencourt, 2B: 1-3 (L-9, 1B, L-8, R)
10. Tolly Filotei, LF: 0-2 (6-3, BB, K)

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Manuel Rodriguez: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/0 GO/AO, 47 pitches (27 strikes) 
2. Junior Marte: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/AO, 48 pitches (30 strikes) 
3. Conor Mullee: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 7 pitches (6 strikes) 
4. Luis Aquino: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 1/2 GO/AO, 32 pitches (21 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" EERORS: 2 
1. P Manuel Rodriguez: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 3rd) 
2. SS Aramis Ademan: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Miguel Amaya: 1-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 27 (combined - both fields)
WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80's 

Arizona 
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