Christian Franklin

Matt Mervis slugged a two-run HR and drove-in another run with a FC, Reggie Preciado clubbed an RBI double and scored a run, and James Triantos drilled an RBI single and scored a run, helping the South Bend Cubs (Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) defeat the Tri-City Dust Devils (Hi-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels) 6-4 on Field #6, and four pitchers combined to toss a one-hitter as the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels Lo-A affiliate) cruised past the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs Lo-A affiliate) 7-1 on Field #5, in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training Opening Day game action Friday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game on Field #6 was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair, and the game on Field #5 was called after six innings of play. 

South Bend CF Christian Franklin (Cubs 2021 4th round draft pick - U. of Arkansas) had to be carted off the field after he was beaned on the top of the head by a fly ball in the top of the 5th inning of the game on Field #6.  

Here are the abridged box scores from the games (Cubs players only): 

Brayan Altuve (Cubs 2019 IFA signing - $1M bonus) drilled a game-tying RBI single in his first U. S. AB in the top of third inning and belted a two-run triple off the left-centerfield wall and scored a run in a four run fifth, Luis Verdugo drilled RBI singles in consecutive innings (one in the fourth and one in the fifth), Kevin Alcantara (acquired from the Yankees in the Anthony Rizzo trade) singled twice, scored a run, and drove-in another, Cubs 2021 4th round draft pick Christian Franklin singled twice, walked, and scored a run, Matt Mervis singled twice and scored a run, Cubs 2021 2nd round pick James Triantos singled, walked, and scored a run, Moises Ballesteros (Cubs 2021 IFA signing - $1.5M bonus) clubbed a PH double into the RF corner in his first U. S. AB, and Cubs 2021 9th round pick LHP Chase Watkins fired three innings of one-hit no-run ball out of the pen, helping the Cubs defeat the Rockies 7-3 in AZ Instructional League game action Monday afternoon on Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale. AZ. 

Ezequiel Tovar tripled and scored in the bottom of the first inning and belted a two-run HR in the bottom of the third to account for all of the Rockies runs. 

The game was called after 8-1/2 innings of play. 

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

Jack Winkler tripled and scored on a GO in the 3rd and Junior Perez tripled and scored on a WP in the 6th, as the Athletics edged the Cubs 3-2 in AZ Instructional League game action Saturday morning on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Christian Franklin (Cubs 2021 4th round draft pick) singled twice, stole a base, and scored a run for the Cubs in a losing cause. 

2019 1st round draft pick RHP Ryan Jensen got the start for the Cubs and threw two innings (30 pitches) of shutout ball with four strikeouts, allowing just an infield single. He also committed a balk when he went into a wind-up and then suddenly stopped with a man on first base. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair. The A's then played a "sim game" on the same field after the conclusion of the AZIL game with the Cubs, because the A's had several more pitchers who needed work. (The Cubs were out of available pitchers).

The Cubs are 1-7-1 through their first nine AZIL games. 

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

Nick Brueser clubbed a solo HR and five pitchers combined to toss a four-hitter, as the Athletics defeated the Cubs 3-1 in AZ Instructional League game action Thursday afternoon on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa,AZ. 

Christian Franklin laced an opposite-field RBI triple into the RF corner to account for the lone Cub run. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair. 

Cubs pitchers only allowed two hits, but three walks, three HBP, three WP, and four errors gave the A's too many chances. 

Coming off an outstanding AZIL game debut last week at Fitch Park, Cubs 2021 3rd round draft pick LHP Drew Gray struggled with his command throughout his outing. He didn't allow any hits, but he walked three, hit a batter, uncorked two WP. and was constantly pitching from behind in the count, throwing only 48% strikes.  

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