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Moises Ballesteros singled twice, drove-in a run and scored another, James Triantos singled and scored and collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly, Cristian Olivo laced an RBI double and scored, and Ethan Hearn belted an RBI double, leading the Cubs "Red Squad" to a 4-2 victory over the Cubs "Blue Squad" in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Saturday morning on Field # 5 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.
Erbin Jaque singled, doubled, stole a base, amd scored a run for the "Blue Squad" in a losing cause.
The game was pre-planned as a five-inning affair.
Cubs 2022 8th round draft pick RHP Mason McGwire (son of Mark McGwire) made his pro game debut and threw one inning (17 pitches - nine strikes), allowing one run (it was unearned), no hits, and one walk. He struck out two (one swinging and one looking) with his plus-splitter. There were only three pitchers scheduled to throw in the game, so DSL Cubs Red pitching coach Jose Zapata and DSL Cubs Blue pitching coach Luis Hernandez finished the game on the mound, throwing what was essentialy "coaches BP," but really no different than a position player pitching in an MLB blow-out or extra-inning game. (Both Zapata and L. Hernandez were pitchers in their playing days).
Here is the box score from the game:
NOTE: AB outcomes versus coaches are highlighted and underlined in purple.
CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" LINEUP:
1. Ismael Mena, CF: 0-2 (6-3, K)
2. Erbin Jaque, RF: 2-2 (1B, 2B, R, SB)
3. Christopher Paciolla, SS: 0-2 (F-9, 4-3)
4. Rafael Morel, 3B: 0-2 (P-6, 3-U, RBI)
5. Jefferson Rojas, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, 6-3)
6. Pedro Ramirez, DH #1: 0-2 (K, K)
7. Carlos Ramos, C: 0-2 (3-1, F-9)
8. Anderson Suriel, 1B: 0-2 (F-8, 6-3)
9. Brayan Altuve, LF: 0-1 (K)
10. Josefrailin Alcantara, DH #2: 0-0 (BB, R, SB)
CUBS "RED SQUAD" LINEUP:
1. James Triantos, 3B: 1-1 (1B, F-8 SF, R, RBI)
2. Cristian Hernandez, SS: 1-2 (K, 1B, PO)
3. Moises Ballesteros, C: 2-2 (1B, 1B, R, RBI)
4. Ethan Hearn, DH #1: 1-2 (2B, 6-3 DP, RBI)
5. Miguel Pabon, 1B: 0-2 (F-9, 6-3)
6. Reggie Preciado, 2B: 0-1 (BB, F-8
7. Adan Sanchez, DH #2: 1-2 (5-3, 1B)
8. Frank Hernandez, RF: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R)
9. Cristian More, LF: 0-2 (F-7, 4-6-3 DP)
10. Christian Olivo, CF: 1-1 (2B, R, RBI)
CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" PITCHERS:
1. Brody McCullough: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 44 pitches (25 strikes)
2. Jose Zapata: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 3/2 GO/AO, 20 pitches (DSL Cubs Red pitching coach)
CUBS "RED SQUAD" PITCHERS:
1. Frankie Scalzo Jr: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/3 GO/AO, 22 pitches (13 strikes)
2. Mason McGwire: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 17 pitches (9 strikes)
3. Luis Hernandez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/AO, 14 pitches (DSL Cubs Blue pitching coach)
CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" ERRORS: 1
P Brody McCullough: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd)
CUBS "RED SQUAD" ERRORS: 1
C Moises Ballesteros: E-2 (errant throw to 2nd base on SB attempt deflected into RF and allowed runner to score)
CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Carlos Ramos: 1 PO
CUBS "RED SQUAD" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Moises Ballesteros: 0-2 CS, 1 E (see above)
ATTENDANCE: 3
WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's
Arizona
Scoring
Service
"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"