Cubs Top Giant Black at Riverview

Carlos Pacheco singled twice, doubled, stole a base, scored a run, and drove-in another, Jonathan Sierra singled, walked, reached base on an HBP, stole a base, and scored three runs, Brailyn Marquez and Jeremiah Estrada combined to strike out seven of the first 11 men they faced, and seven pitchers combined to toss a five-hitter, as the Cubs cruised past the Giants black squad 7-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Monday morning on Field #5 on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was called after eight innings of play.

The 19-year old Pacheco was signed by the Cubs out of Mexico in 2016, he tied for 2nd in the DSL in HR in 2017, and he is expected to provide power for one the two Cubs AZL teams this summer.

RHPs Fernando Calderon, Benjamin Rodriguez, and Jose M. Gonzalez made their U. S. debut in today's game, working one inning a piece. All three pitched in the DSL last year.

Not counting pitchers who are rehabbing at Extended Spring Training, Marquez and Estrada are clearly the Cubs top two pitching prospects at EXST, and the duo will likely be at the top of the Eugene starting rotation when the NWL begins play in June.

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Fernando Kelli, CF: 1-4 (1B, L-8, K, K, BB, R, SB)
2. Reivaj Garcia, 2B: 1-3 (BB, 2B, 6-3, F-7, BB, R)
3. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 1-3 (E-4, HBP, BB, 1B, L-8, 3 R, SB)
4. Alexander Guerra, DH #1: 0-3 (E-5, L-8, F-8, BB, R, RBI)
5. Luis Vazquez, SS: 2-4 (1B, K, 1B, 5-3, 2 RBI)
6. Delvin Zinn, DH #2: 0-3 (BB, 4-3, L-6, 5-3, RBI)
7. Carlos Pacheco, LF: 3-4 (1B, 1B, K, 2B, R, RBI)
8a. Raymond Pena, C: 0-2 (K, 6-3 DP)
8b. Eric Gonzalez, C: 1-2 (1B, 5-3) 
9a. Henrry Pedra, 3B: 0-2 (3-2 FC, 5-3, PO)
9b. Herson Perez, 3B: 0-2 (F-9, K)
10. Fidel Mejia, 1B: 1-2 (HBP, HBP, K, 1B, RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Brailyn Marquez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 0/3 GO/AO, 33 pitches (19 strikes) 
2. Jeremiah Estrada: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/AO, 39 pitches (16 strikes) 
3. Sean Barry: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 22 pitches (12 strikes) 
4. Junior Marte: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 12 pitches (7 strikes) 
5. Fernando Calderon: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 10 pitches (6 strikes)
6. Benjamin Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 23 pitches (13 strikes) 
7. Jose M. Gonzalez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 15 pitches (11 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 1 
C Raymond Pena: E-2 (errant throw to 1st base on dropped third strike allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Raymond Pena: 1 PB, 1 E (see above) 

ATTENDANCE: 15 

WEATHER: Overcast with temperatures in the 80's 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

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