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Luis Vazquez clubbed an opposite-field HR onto the right-centerfield berm on the first pitch of the bottom of the 1st inning, Luis Verdugo blasted a solo HR and singled, and Fidel Mejia laced a two-run double, leading the South Bend Cubs (Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 5-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (Oakland Athletics' Hi-A affiliate) in Cactus League Minor League Camp game action Saturday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.  

Marty Bechina belted a solo HR for the Lugnuts in a losing cause. 

The game was called after six innings of play. 

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

Tyler Ramirez singled, doubled, and scored a run, and Mickey McDonald ripped a two run triple, walked, and scored, leading the Midland RockHounds (AA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) to a 6-4 victory over the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA affiliate) in Cactus League Minor League game action Friday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Andy Weber collected three singles, stole two bases, drove-in a run, and scored another for the Cubs in a losing cause. Weber was just recently sent to Cubs Minor League Camp in Mesa from the Cubs Alternate Training Site in South Bend.  

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

The Cubs (5-7) have dropped 3 series in a row to division opponents. After the Thursday off, they return to home turf to take on the similarly struggling Atlanta crew (5-8).

With Freddie Freeman off to a Rizzo-like start, Ronald Acuna looks like the main hitter to watch out for. The 23-year-old OF is slashing .447/.500/.1000. That’s AVG/OBP/SLG, if you are wondering. He’s already collected 6 homeruns in only 12 games and pitchers are having a heck of a time trying to miss his bat in the early going. Pablo Sandoval (yes--that one) is also enjoying a hot start.

Fidel Mejia singled, doubled, walked, and scored two runs, Gustavo Polanco singled twice, drove-in a run, and scored a run, Ed Howard IV drilled an RBI double, and Eury Ramos threw two innings of perfect baseball with five strikeouts, leading the South Bend Cubs (now the Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 6-4 victory over the Eugene Emeralds (the San Francisco Giants' new Hi-A affiliate in the Northwest League) in Cactus League Minor League Camp game action Wednesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Jacob Gonzalez (son of former major leaguer Luis Gonzalez) clubbed a solo HR for the Ems off converted position player Jerrick Suiter, and then Suiter promptly left the game with an injury (not clear what it was) one pitch into the next batter.     

The Eury Ramos 97-99 MPH FB is both electric and dominating, especially when combined with his filthy 88-91 MPH wipe-out SL. The 23-year old Ramos is scheduled to be a minor league 6YFA post-2021 but he has yet to pitch above Lo-A, so look for him to move very quickly in 2021 if he can remain healthy.    

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only)

UPDATED 4/14: 

As things stand right now...

The Chicago Cubs (4-5) make their first trip northward to take on Milwaukee (5-4) for the second time this season. Having dropped 2 out of 3 in Pittsburgh, the Cubs will try to push and elbow their way to middle or front of the NL central pack. Benches cleared-ish in the last Brewers vs Cubs series, so don't be surprised to see some literally pushing and elbowing if Contreras finds himself on the receiving end of a beaning again. See below for matchups.

Game 1, Monday, April 12, 6:40 pm central

CHC: RHP Adbert Alzolay (0-1, 7.20 ERA)