Cristian Hernandez blasted an opposite-field two-run HR over the RF fence in the third, singled and scored in the sixth, and drilled an RBI single in the eighth, Alejandro Rivero blooped an RBI double and scored in the second and belted an opposite-field two-run triple and scored in the fifth, Raino Coran hammered an RBI double into the LF corner and scored in the fourth and crushed a lead-off double off the LF fence and scored in the eighth, Brayan Altuve roped an RBI double and scored in the second and singled and scored in the fourth, Christian Olivo singled, stole a base, and scored a run in the third and cracked an RBI single in the fourth, and Dilan Granadillo laced two RBI singles, leading an 18-hit attack as the Cubs uploaded a 15-4 pasting of the Athletics in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Monday morning on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ.    

Nelson Beltran slugged a two-run HR in the bottom of the third and made a spectacular HR saving catch by leaping high and reaching over the LF fence to take back what would have been a Frank Hernandez four-bagger in the top of the seventh, and Lester Madden and Ramon Martinez ripped RBI doubles for the A's in a losing couse.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

With today's HR, Cristian Hernandez has now hit six home runs in 23 EXST games, including four in 19 Cactus League EXST games, and two in four EXST intrasquad games. Javier Baez holds the all-time EXST Cubs HR record. He hit eight in 26 Cactus League EXST games 2012. 

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

The Cubs finished their homestand with a win and head to Cincinnati with a record of 16-24. See below for daily matchups.

Frank Hernandez, Dilan Granadillo, and Alejandro Rivero drilled RBI doubles and Moises Ballesteros singled twice, drew a walk, and scored a run, leading the Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Angels in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

The game was pre-planned as an eight-inning affair.

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

Moises Ballesteros blasted an opposite-field solo HR over the LF fence leading off the bottom of the second inning (his second HR in two days), Raino Coran crushed a mammoth solo HR just to the left of the CF Batter's Eye leading off the bottom of the third and walked and scored in the fifth, Christian Olivo singled twice, stole three bases, scored a run, and drove-in another, Anderson Suriel blooped an RBI double in the second and singled, stole a base, and scored a run in the fifth, SP Marino Santy hurled three innings of one-hit / one-run ball, and Alfredo Zarraga struck out the side 1-2-3 to pick-up the save, as the Cubs cruised past the Athletics 6-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.   

Cristian Hernandez belted a double into the right-centerfield alley his first time up, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. He struck out (swinging) in his other two PA. 

The game was pre-planned as an eight-inning contest. 

The Cubs are now 10-8-2 through their first twenty Cactus League EXST games, and contrary to what you may read elsewhere on the internet, EXST games - ARE - real (they're just not official and there are some goofy rules variances), the games - ARE - televised (albeit closed circuit to the Cubs Player Development Department), the Cubs - DO - keep game stats internally just like they do at Myrtle Beach, South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa (they just don't release them to the media), and the players really - ARE - trying to win (just listen to the players on the bench howling back & forth throughout the game... so much so that the Giants players who were not in the game last Tuesday at Papago Park were kicked out of the ballpark by the home plate umpire for arguing every single ball / strike call!).   

In EXST roster news, LHRP C. D. Pelham has completed his EXST rehab and has rejoined AA Tennessee. 

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

Moises Ballesteros blasted a two-run HR over the RF fence, drilled an RBI single and scored, and drew a walk, Cristian Hernandez belted a solo HR over the LF fence and lined a double into the LF corner and scored, Christian Olivo singled twice and score a run, and RP Joel Sierra hurled two innings of no-run / no-hit ball while hitting 100 MPH with his FB to pick-up the win, as the Cubs rallied to edge the Diamondbacks Red squad 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

Jefferson Pena laced an RBI double, walked, stole a base, scored two runs, and drove-in another with a sacrifice fly for the D'backs.  

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair, and the Cubs played as the home team.  

With his big day at the plate, Moises Ballesteros is now hitting 286/396/429 in 17 Cactus League EXST games (53 PA), with a 19% BB-rate and a 19% K-rate. He also has thrown out six of twelve baserunners attempting steal against him (50% CS), and has picked a runner off 2nd base.  

Cristian Hernandez has now hit five HR in 21 EXST games, including three in Cactus League games (one was an inside-the-park job) and two in intrasquad games. Over the course of the 17 Cactus League EXST games (58 PA) in which he has played, Hernandez is htting 187/311/479, with a 14% BB-rate and a 35% K-rate that includes three three-strikeout games in the first week. Combining his 17 Cactus League EXST games with his four EXST intrasquad games (Blue vs Red) for a total of 21 games, Hernandez is hitting 245/360/566, with a 14% BB-rate and a 31% K-rate. He has made only two errors (both were fielding errors), while turning in several outstanding defensive stops & throws.    

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

The Cubs took two of three from the Pirates to start their homestand. Next, they'll host the D-Backs for four as the season nears the end if it's first quarter. See below for daily matchups.

Pedro Diaz belted an RBI double and a two-run HR, Jorge Ruiz clubbed an RBI triple, reached base on an HBP, and scored two runs, and SP Milleran Cedano hurled four innings of two-hit ball with six strikeouts, helping the Angels defeat the Cubs 7-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Wednesday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

Brayan Altuve stroked a two-run double to account for the two Cub runs.  

The game was pre-planned as a five-inning contest. 

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

P. J. Hilson doubled twice, singled, walked, stole a base, scored two runs, and knocked-in four, Ryan Reckley slugged a two-run triple, reached base on an HBP and scored, and walked, stole a base, and scored, Kwan Adkins laced an RBI single and an RBI double, walked, and scored two runs, Mauricio Pierre drilled an RBI double, walked, stole a base, and scored a run, and Tyler Forner cracked a two-run single, leading the Giants to a 15-2 romp over the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morning at the Papago Park Complex in Phoenix, AZ. 

Cristian Hernandez belted an RBI triple and drew a walk and Cristian More collected three singles, stole a base, and scored a run for the Cubs in a losing cause.

The game was called after seven innings of play. 

Cubs catcher Dilan Granadillo left the game after running the bases in 100+ degree heat in the top of the 6th. He warmed up the pitcher in the bottom of the inning, but then appeared a bit woozy and had to leave the game. 

David Bote completed his EXST rehab a few days early, and so he will now report to AAA Iowa to begin an official Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab assignment. Over the course of the four Cactus League EXST games in which he played, Bote went 2-11 (5-3, 6-3, 1B, K, F-7, 6-3, 3B, P-3, P-6, K, F-7 SF, L-5). He played 2B once and 3B once, in neither case for the full game. He is eligible to be reinstated from the Cubs MLB 60-day IL on June 6th.  

While Bote finished up his EXST rehab, AAA Iowa OF Donnie Dewees began his, playing LF and going 1-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. He also struck out twice (both times swinging).  

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

Tim Susnara belted a line-drive grand slam HR over the RF fence, picked a runner off 1st base, and threw-out another runner trying to steal 3rd, Cristian Hernandez singled and scored and smashed a towering two-run HR over the right-centerfield fence just to the right of the CF Batter's Eye and onto Clark Street, Carlos Morfa walked and scored and clobbered a two-run HR over the LF fence that landed on Field #2, and Dilan Granadillo drilled a two-run triple and scored, as the Cubs Blue squad demolished the Cubs Red squad 10-1 in a two-inning Extended Spring Training intrasquad game played Monday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.   

In 18 games so far at Extended Spring Training (including 14 Cactus League EXST games and four intrasquad EXST games), Cristian Hernandez is hitting 217/349/478, with four HR & 10 RBI, a 14% BB-rate and a 34% K-rate. In the 14 Cactus League EXST games (only), Hernandez is hitting 146/280/341, with two HR & 5 RBI, a 14% BB-rate, and a 38% K-rate. Obviously, he - LOVES - hitting against Cub pitching! 

Here is the box score from the game: 

The Cubs took two games in Arizona to seal their second Series win in a row. They return to Wrigley for a seven-game homestand, kicking things off with three against the Pirates. See below for daily matchups.