Ed Howard Stars as Cubs Rally to Tie Giants at Instructs

Cubs 2020 1st round draft pick Ed Howard IV (Mt. Carmel HS - Chicago, IL) drilled a pinch-hit RBI double in his pro game debut and Jacob Wetzel (2020 NDFA - Frederick CC) laced an RBI triple and scored on a Fabian Pertuz RBI single in his pro game debut, as the Cubs rallied to tie the Giants 5-5 in AZ Instructional League Opening Day game action Wednesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Rob Emery belted a three-run HR and Marco Luciano followed with a monster solo shot (both off Cubs SP Cory Abbott) to give the Giants an early 4-0 lead, before the Cubs came roaring back in the late innings.  

Besides Howard and Wetzel, three other Cubs made their pro game debut on Wednesday. LF Jordan Nwogu (2020 3rd round pick - U. of Michigan) reached base on an HBP in his first pro AB and later scored from 1st base on the Wetzel triple, 1B Matt Mervis (2020 NDFA - Duke) drew a walk in his first pro AB and later scored on the Howard RBI double, and RHRP Ben Leeper (2020 NDFA - Oklahoma State) threw one inning in relief. 
The game was called after eight innings of play. 

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

CUBS LINEUP: 
1a. Edmond Americaan, CF: 0-3 (K, K, K)  
1b. Jacob Wetzel, CF: 1-2 (3B, K, R, RBI)
2a. Andy Weber, SS: 2-3 (2B, 1B, 5-3) 
2b. Fabian Pertuz, SS: 1-2 (1B, K, RBI)
3a. Christopher Morel, 3B: 1-3 (P-2, 1B, 5-3) 
3b. Luis Verdugo, 3B: 0-1 (L-7 DP)
4a. Jared Young,1B: 0-2 (1-3, F-8)
4b. Matt Mervis, 1B: 0-1 (BB, F-8, R) 
5a. Chase Strumpf, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K, R)
5b. Luis Vazquez, 2B: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3)
6a. Alfonso Rivas, DH: 0-0 (BB, BB, R)
6b. Ed Howard IV, PH-DH: 1-1 (2B, BB, RBI)
7a. Nelson Velazquez, RF: 0-2 (1-3, 6-4 FC) 
7b. Yohendrick Pinango, RF: 1-2 (4-3, 1B+E4)
8a. Cam Balego, C: 1-2 (1B, 5-3, RBI)
8b. Bryce Windham, C: 0-2 (K, F-7)
9a. Yonathan Perlaza, LF: 1-2 (6-3, 1B, RBI, SB)
9b. Jordan Nwogu, LF: 0-1 (HBP, K, R) 

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Cory Abbott: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 1 WP, 1/4 GO/AO, 68 pitches (38 strikes)
2. Ben Leeper: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 26 pitches (17 strikes)  
3. Peyton Remy: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 1/3 GO/AO, 54 pitches (35 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Andy Weber - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. P Cory Abbott - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd) 

ATTENDANCE: 0  

WEATHER: Hot & breezy with temperatures 100+ 

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