Soler Back in Action at Salt River Fields

Oliver Zapata ripped a two-run triple and an RBI single, Adonis Paula singled, doubled, and scored two runs, Rashad Crawford reached base on a double, a walk, and an HBP, and scored three runs, and Trevor Clifton and Hector Perez threw three shutout innings a piece, leading the Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the Diamondbacks on Jackrabbit Field, and Ryan Kinsella belted an RBI double and an RBI triple, helping the D'backs rally from a five-run deficit to edge the Cubs 7-6 on Whirlwind Field, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training split-squad doubleheader action this morning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.

Gleyber Torres collected three hits, stole a base, and scored two runs in a losing cause for Squad "A" on Whirlwind Field.
Jorge Soler saw his first game action in almost a month, serving as a DH for Squad "A." He had five Plate Appearances and went 1-4, driving-in two runs with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, He also reached base on an error, grounded out 5-3, and struck out swinging.

Joel Pineiro got the start for Squad "A" and pitched five innings (60 pitches), surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits (four singles, a double, and a triple), while allowing no walks and striking out seven. 

THE PITCHING LINES FROM JOEL PINEIRO'S FOUR EXST OUTINGS: 
4/12 - 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 8/0 GO/FO, 64 pitches (48 strikes)
4/17 - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 7/2 GO/FO, 66 pitches (43 strikes)
4/22 - 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 76 pitches (51 strikes)
4/28 - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 4/4 GO/FO, 60 pitches (45 strikes)  
TOTAL: 17.2 IP, 22 H, 15 R (13 ER), 4 BB, 16 K, 3 WP, 22/9 GO/FO, 74% strikes, 6.62 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
 
Today was Diamondbacks "Field Trip Day" at Salt River Fields for Maricopa County school children, hence the slightly larger-than normal attendance at the games. I guess it's never too early to get kids interested in Extended Spring Training. 

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

WHIRLWIND FIELD:

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Gleyber Torres, SS: 3-5 (1B, 1B, 6-3, 1B, 6-3, 2 R, SB, CS)
2a. Kevin Brown: LF: 1-2 (HBP, 1B, K, BB, R)
2b. Zak Blair, PH-DH: 1-1 (1B)
3. Jorge Soler, DH #1: 1-4 (F-8 SF, 1B, 5-3, E-1, K, R, 2 RBI)
4a. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-1 (K, BB, R)
4b. Jeffrey Baez, PH-RF: 0-3 (K, L-6, P-4)
5. Varonex Cuevas: 2B: 0-3 (K, BB, 4-3, F-8, R, RBI)
6. Arnaldo Calero, RF-DH-LF: 0-3 (K, BB, K, F-9, RBI)
7. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-4 (1B, K, 4-3, K)
8. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 1-3 (K, 1B, 3-1, HBP, 2 RBI)
9. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-4 (K, K, L-8, F-8)
10a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST THREE TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
10b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (K)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Joel Pineiro: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 4/4 GO/FO, 60 pitches (45 strikes)
2. Trey Lang: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO, 37 pitches (16 strikes)
3. Alberto Diaz: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 13 pitches (7 strikes)
4. Yomar Morel: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 16 pitches (7 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 1
3B Jesse Hodges - E-5 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach second base safely - eventually scored unearned run)

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Justin Marra: 0-1 CS

JACKRABBIT FIELD:

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Rashad Crawford, CF: 1-3 (HBP, BB, K+WP, K, 2B, 3 R, SB)
2. Oliver Zapata, LF: 2-4 (F-9, 3B, K, BB, 1B, 3 RBI)
3. Shamil Ubiera, DH: 0-4 (F-9 SF, 6-3, 3-U, 5-4 FC, 4-3, RBI, SB)
4. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-5 (K, 5-3, F-9, E-6, K)
5. Adonis Paula, 3B: 2-5 (1B, 2B, F-8,. K, F-8, 2 R)
6. Elliot Soto, SS: 0-3 (BB, 6-3, P-5, BB, F-9, R)
7. Matt Scioscia, 1B: 1-3 (BB, 6-3, 1B, K)
8. Mark Malave, C: 1-4 (6-4 FC, K, 4-6 FC, 1B, R, RBI)
9. Dalfis Ortiz, 2B: 1-4 (F-8, 1B, 6-4 FC, 6-3 DP, R)

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS:
1. Trevor Clifton: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 2/3 GO/FO, 43 pitches (28 strikes)   
2. Hector Perez: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 3/4 GO/FO, 41 pitches (26 strikes)
3. Victor Salazar: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 1 K,  0/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (15 strikes)
4. Carlos Llano: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 28 pitches (19 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: NONE

ATTENDANCE: 3,147

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80's