Grimm Day for Cubs at Riverview Park

Nick Jones (ex-LHP) belted a two-run home run and Jordan Johnson and four relievers combined to toss a four-hitter, helping the Giants defeat the Cubs 4-1 on Field #6, and Bryant Flete doubled, singled, and scored a run, and five Cub relievers combined to hurl five innings of perfect baseball, as the Cubs and Giants played to a 2-2 tie on Field #5, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training split squad doubleheader action this morning at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park.

The game on Field #5 was called after seven innings with the score tied, and the game on Field #6 was called after 7-1/2 innings.   

Kevonte Mitchell tripled, singled, stole a base, and scored the lone Cub run on Field #6.

18-year old 6'6 RHP Austyn Willis (Cubs 2014 18th round draft pick - Barstow HS - Barstow, CA) got the start on Field #6 and threw three innings of one-hit shutout ball with four strikeouts, retiring Travis Ishikawa (on the Giants MLB 15-day DL with a lower back strain) three times (4-3 GO, K-swinging, and F-8 fly out). Willis has started three Cactus League EXST games, allowing one run on four hits (including a solo HR) and a walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings of work. He will very likely be in the Eugene starting rotation when the Northwest League season commences next month.  

RHRP Justin Grimm (on the Cubs MLB 15-day DL with a forearm strain retroactive to April 2nd) worked the top of the 4th inning on Field #6 and was dominating, striking out the side on 12 pitches. He looks to be in mid-season form. 

The Giants are unusual because they have two ex-LHP at Extended Spring Training being converted to position players (usually it's the other way around). Besides 6'6 first-baseman Nick Jones (who belted a tape measure two-run HR over the RF fence that provided the winning margin for the Giants on Field #6 this morning), outfielder Steven Neff drilled three hits (a single, a double, and a triple) in a game against the Cubs earlier this week in Scottsdale. 

Here is the abridged box score from today's games (Cubs players only): 

FIELD #6

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 2-3 (1B, K, 3B, R, SB)
2. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 0-2 (F-8, BB, K)   
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-3 (E-5, F-9, K, SB) 
4. Kevin Encarnacion, DH #1: 0-3 (F-9, 4-1, P-5) 
5. Tim Saunders, 3B: 0-3 (L-6, 6-3, E-6, PO) 
6. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 1-3 (2B, K, F-9) 
7. Adonis Paula, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B) 
8a. Tyler Pearson, C: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
8b. Tyler Alamo, C: NO AB 
9. Ho-Young Son, SS: 0-1 (HBP, K, CS) 
10. Andruw Monasterio, DH #2: 0-2 (K, K) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS: 
1. Austyn Willis: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 35 pitches (26 pitches) 
2. Justin Grimm: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 12 pitches (9 strikes) 
3. Mark Malave: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 13 pitches (10 strikes) 
4. Dillon Maples: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 14 pitches:(9 strikes)
5. Daniel Lewis: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 0/3 GO/FO, 17 pitches (9 strikes) 
6. Alexander Santana: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (10 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS: 
Tyler Alamo: 1 PB 

FIELD #5

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Roberto Caro, CF: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, 6-3)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, SS: 1-2 (1B, 1-3, BB, R)
3. Andrew Ely, 2B: 0-3 (6-3, K, L-8)
4a. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 0-1 (F-8)
4b. Carlos Jimenez, PH-3B: 0-2 (BB, 5-3) 
5a. Yohan Matos, C: 0-2 (K, K) 
5b. Jhonny Pereda, C: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
6. Bryant Flete, DH #1: 2-3 (2B, 1B, K, R) 
7. Jose Paniagua, RF: 1-3 (1B, L-6 DP, K)
8. Miguel Rico, 1B: 1-2 (1B, F-8, HBP, CS) 
9. Danny Gutierrez, LF: 1-2 (1B, K, HBP)
10. Eric Gonzalez, DH #2: 0-2 (BB, K, K) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Jose Paulino: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 59 pitches (39 strikes) 
2. Jae-Hoon Ha: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 9 pitches (5 strikes) 
3. Yomar Morel: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 10 pitches (7 strikes) 
4. Jordan Brink: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (5 strikes) 
5. Austin Reed: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 12 pitches (8 strikes)
6. Pedro Araujo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 13 pitches (8 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 1
P Jose Paulino: - E-1 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Yohan Matos: 0-3 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

ATTENDANCE: 9  

2015 CUBS EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER

71 players ACTIVE (includes ACTIVE REHAB & LIMITED ACTIVITY)
7 players INACTIVE (injured or absent)

(updated 5-1-2015)

NOTE: The Extended Spring Training (EXST) squad consists of players who are the replacement cadre for the full season affiliates, players deemed not ready for full-season leagues, and injured players.

* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 41+3
Adbert Alzolay
Pedro Araujo
Daniel Bard 
Jordan Brink
Jesus Camargo
Marcelo Carreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY - post-2013 right shoulder surgery)
Anthony Carter (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Jesus Castillo (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Dylan Cease (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS) 
Oscar de la Cruz
Enrique de los Rios
* Andin Diaz
Greyfer Eregua
Scott Frazier
Trevor Graham (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Tanner Griggs (LIMITED ACTIVITY - groin)
Justin Grimm (ACTIVE REHAB - forearm strain)
Jae-Hoon Ha (ex-OF)
Luis Hernandez (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Corbin Hoffner
Pierce Johnson (LIMITED ACTIVITY - lat strain)
John Michael Knighton 
Daniel Lewis 
Mark Malave (ex-C)
Dillon Maples
Brad Markey 
Trey Masek (LIMITED ACTIVITY - 2014 right shoulder surgery)
Trey McNutt (INACTIVE - 2014 right shoulder surgery)
Yomar Morel
Erling Moreno (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
* Ariel Ovando (ex-OF - LIMITED ACTIVITY)
* Jose Paulino
Hector Perez
Neil Ramirez (LIMITED ACTIVITY - shoulder)
Austin Reed (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
Santiago Rodriguez
Jose Rosario (INACTIVE - 2015 TJS)
* Carson Sands 
Alexander Santana
* Justin Steele
Jacob Turner (INACTIVE - right elbow)
Austyn Willis
* Sam Wilson
Jose Zapata (ACTIVE REHAB - post-2013 cervical fracture)

CATCHERS: 8
Tyler Alamo 
Eric Gonzalez
* Jordan Hankins (ex-3B)
Yohan Matos;
Tyler Pearson 
Jhonny Pereda
Miguel Rico (ex-3B)
Roberto Vahlis

INFIELDERS: 14+4
# Roney Alcala
# Varonex Cuevas
# Frandy de la Rosa
* Andrew Ely
* Bryant Flete
Wladimir Galindo 
Danny Gutierrez
Carlos Jimenez
Tommy LaStella (INACTIVE - rib cage)
Joey Martarano (INACTIVE - attending college)
Andruw Monasterio (formerly a switch-hitter, he is now hitting only RH)
Rafael Narea
Mike Olt (INACTIVE - fractured right wrist)
Adonis Paula 
Tim Saunders 
* Carlos Sepulveda
Ho-Young Son  
* Logan Watkins (INACTIVE - 2015 ruptured achilles tendon)

OUTFIELDERS: 8
# Roberto Caro 
Jenner Emeterio
* Kevin Encarnacion (formerly a switch-hitter, he is now hitting only LH)
Calvin Graves
Eloy Jimenez
Kevonte Mitchell
* Ricardo Marcano
Jose Paniagua

MANAGER
Carmelo Martinez (AZL Cubs Manager)

COACHES
Oscar Bernard (AZL Cubs Hitting Coach)
Tom Beyers (Assistant Minor League Hitting Coordinator)
Ricardo Medina (Eugene Hitting Coach)
Carlos Ramirez (AZL Cubs Assistant Coach)
Terrmel Sledge (Eugene Assistant Coach)
Anderson Tavares (Eugene Pitching Coach)
Rick Tronerud (Mesa Rehab Pitching Coach)
Ron Villone (AZL Cubs Pitching Coach)
Ty Wright (AZL Cubs Assistant Coach)

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHES
Sean Folan (AZL Cubs)
Ryan Nordvedt (Eugene)

ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Chuck Baughman (Assistant Minor League Training Coordinator - Mesa Rehab)
Mike McNulty (Eugene) 
Toby Williams (AZL Cubs)