Denorfia and Dunston Help Cubs Salvage Tie at Riverview

Chris Denorfia (on Cubs MLB 15-day DL - strained hamstring) belted an RBI double, walked, and scored a run and Shawon Dunston Jr (on Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7-day DL - right shoulder injury) doubled, stole two bases, and scored a run for the Cubs, and Jesus Lopez drilled a two-run single, doubled, and walked and Vicmal de la Cruz singled, doubled, and scored a run for the Athletics, as the Cubs and A's played to a 5-5 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action this morning on Field #6 at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park. 

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

RHP Pierce Johnson (on AA Tennessee7-day DL with a lat strain) continued his EXST rehab, working three innings (37 pitches) for the Cubs and allowing two runs on four hits (two doubles and two singles) and no walks, with three strikeouts (all three swinging) and a 4/2 GO/FO. Johnson had excellent command today and threw a high percentage of strikes (71%). His fastball velocity sat consistenty at 92 MPH (max), with only an occasional drop-off to 91.  

18-year old Colombian RHP Erling Moreno (2014 TJS) made his second game appearance in a week. The 6'3 righthander allowed two hits (a single and a double) in 1.2 IP, and successfully escaped a "runner at 3rd and out out" situation. Moreno's fastball velocity sat at 89-90 (down a couple of MPH from last week), but he displayed outstanding command of all of his pitches, most noteworthy an advanced change-up (unusual for an 18-year old) 

Cubs 2014 5th round draft pick RHP Dylan Cease (2014 TJS) also made his second game appearance in a week (he faced the A's at Fitch Park last Monday), but he did not fare as well as Moreno. While he only allowed one run, he also allowed six of the ten batters he faced to reach base (three singles and three walks, plus a WP) in just 1.1 IP. Cease's fastball velocity was at 95-97 MPH in both innings, down a couple of ticks from his outing last week when he touched 99.

Prior to the Cactus League EXST game, RHP Marcelo Carreno (post-2013 shoulder surgery) and RHP Trey Masek (2014 shoulder surgery) squared-off in a two-iining "sim" game on Field #3.   

Here is the abridged box score from today's Cactus League EXST game (Cubs players only): 

CUBS LINEUP: 
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH #1: 1-4 (F-8, E-6, 2B, P-6, R, 2 SB)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
2. Chris Denorfia, LF-DH: 1-3 (BB, K, 2B, K, R, RBI)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIFTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 1-5 (1B, F-9, E-5, K, K, R)
4. Joey Martarano, 1B: 1-4 (K, K, K, 1B, R)
5. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 1-4 (E-4, 2B, K, 3-1, R)
6a. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-2 (F-7, E-5)
6b. Alberto Mineo, C: 2-2 (1B, 1B, RBI)
7a. Ho-Young Son, SS: 0-2 (F-9, 6-3) 
7b. Carlos Sepulveda, SS: 1-2 (4-3, 1B) 
8. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-4 (K, K, P-3, K)
9. Roberto Caro, DH-LF: 0-1 (BB, L-6, SB)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
10. Robert Garcia, CF: 0-4 (1-3, K, K+WP, 5-3)

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Pierce Johnson: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 4/2 GO/FO, 38 pitches (27 strikes) 
2. Erling Moreno: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 3/1 GO/FO, 25 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Dylan Cease: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO , 40 pitches (22 strikes) 
4. John Michael Knighton: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 3/2 GO/FO, 38 pitches (21 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 1 
SS Carlos Sepulveda: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Alberto Mineo: 0-1 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperaturs 100+ 

ATTENDANCE: 5