A's Cry Wolff at Fitch Park

Miguel Mercedes belted a two-run home run and Vicmal de la Cruz singled, doubled, and scored two runs, as the Athletics edged the Cubs 3-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Adonis Paula slugged a solo HR and Frandy de la Rosa singled and tripled for the Cubs in a losing cause. 

In EXST roster news, IF-OF Varonex Cuevas has been moved-up to AAA Iowa. The 22-year old switch-hitting super-sub was hitting only 204/235/327 with one HR and three doubles, four RBI, six runs scored, two walks, 14 strikeouts, and no SB (two CS), in 18 Cactus League EXST games (51 PA) this season, but he has been hot lately, putting up a 353/421/588 line over his last six Cactus League EXST games (19 PA). He has played 2B-3B-SS-LF at EXST. 

Cuevas was signed by the Cubs as an 18-year old out of the Dominican Republic in May 2011, and spent his first three seasons with the DSL Cubs (240/344/304 in 163 DSL games 2011-13) before arriving in the U. S. last season. He hit 288/416/493 in 24 Cactus League EXST games (89 PA) last season before being assigned to Boise, where he struggled (hitting just 118/211/235 in 12 NWL games). He then was moved down to the AZL Cubs, where he hit 318/368/466.  

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH: 1-4 (1B, P-4, E-5, F-8 DP, R)
2a. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 0-2 (K, F-8)
2b. Jose Paniagua, LF: 0-2 (6-3, K, RBI)
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 2-4 (1B, 1B, K, K, PO)
4. Joey Martarano, 1B: 2-4 (4-3 DP, 1B, 6-3, 1B)
5a. Alberto Mineo, C: 0-2 (3-U, K) : 
5b. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-2 (5-3, F-7)
6. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 2-4 (F-8, K, 3B, 1B)
7a. Adonis Paula, 3B: 1-3 (L-4, HR, K, R, RBI)
7b. Yohan Matos, PH: 1-1 (1B) 
8. Ho-Young Son, SS: 0-4 (L-6, F-9, 6-3, K)
9. Roberto Caro, LF-CF: 1-3 (K, 6-3, 1B)

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Oscar de la Cruz: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 1 BALK, 2/7 GO/FO, 82 pitches (52 strikes) 
2. Corbin Hoffner: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 12 pitches (8 strikes)
3. Andin Diaz: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, 3/1 GO/FO, 47 pitches (28 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 3 
1. 3B Adonis Paula: E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. SS Ho-Young Son: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
3. P Andin Diaz: E-1 (overthrow at 1st base on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Tyler Alamo: 1-2 CS 

WEATHER: Sunny and breezy with temperatures 100+ 

ATTENDANCE: 6