Bianco Blast the Difference-Maker at Talking Stick
Justin Bianco hammered a solo home run leading off the bottom of the 5th to break a 1-1 tie, and it was just enough as the Diamondbacks edged the Cubs 2-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Whirlwind Field at Salt River River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.
Junior Lake continued his rehab, batting six times (once in each of the first six innings) and playing shortstop for seven innings.
Lake grounded a single through the box leading off the top of the 1st and scored the Cubs only run of the game on a wild pitch later in the inning, struck out (swinging) in the top of the 2nd and then again in the top of the 3rd, grounded out to shortstop in the 4th, struck out swinging in the 5th, and hit into a 6-4 FC in the 6th. He also handled seven chances flawlessly in the field, and was the “middle-man” in two 4-6-3 double plays.
Lake is scheduled to play in one more EXST game (at Fitch Park tomorrow), before rejoining the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday or Friday.
RHP Rob Whitenack (June 2011 TJS) got the start for the Cubs and threw three innings (40 pitches) of no-hit shutout ball, allowing one walk while striking out two (5/2 GO/FO).
Here is the abridged box score from today’s game (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
X. Junior Lake, SS: 1-6 (1B, K, K, 6-3, K, 6-4 FC, R, CS)
NOTE: Lake batted six times, once in each of the first six innings
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 2-3 (1B, F-8, 1B, SB)
2. Javier Baez, DH-SS: 0-3 (K, K, 4-6 FC, SB)
3. Rock Shoulders, 1B: 0-3 (K, F-8, 4-3)
4. Xavier Batista, RF: 0-2 (BB, 6-3, 4-3)
5. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 0-3 (K, F-8, K)
6. Dan Vogelbach, DH #2: 0-2 (K, BB, P-6)
7a. Anthony Giansanti, C: 0-1 (F-9)
7b. Neftali Rosario, C: 0-2 (K, K)
8. Yasiel Balaguert, LF: 1-2 (1B, 5-3)
9a. Jair Bogaerts, 3B: 0-1 (L-9 DP)
9b. Danny Lockhart, 3B: 0-1 (3-1)
CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Rob Whitenack: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 40 pitches (23 strikes), 5/2 GO/FO
2. Carlos Martinez: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 33 pitches (16 strikes), 4/2 GO/FO
3. Alvido Jimenez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 26 pitches (15 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Luis Villalba: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 12 pitches (9 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
5. Roderik Pichardo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 10 pitches (7 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
CUBS ERRORS: NONE
CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Neftali Rosario: 0-3 CS
ATTENDANCE: 8
WEATHER: Sunny and breezy with temperatures in the 80’s
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