Caissie at the Bat and Hodge on the Slab a Winning Combo at Riverview

Owen Caissie blasted a two-run HR over the right-centerfield fence just to the right of the CF Batter's Eye in the 4th and a three-run HR just to the left of the CF Batter's Eye (off a LHP) in the 5th, Yovanny Cuevas belted a solo HR, Ezequiel Pagan drilled an RBI double, Miguel Fabrizio laced a two-run single, and SP Porter Hodge fired four innings of shutout ball on just 38 pitches, as the Cubs trounced the Rockies 11-5 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday afternoon on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa,AZ.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

Over their first six Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, the Cubs are 3-2-1. 

With his two HR today, Owen Caissie has now reached base safely in 13 of his 18 PA over the course of the Cubs first six Cactus League EXST games, including two homers, four doubles, four sngles, and three walks (he's hitting a robust 667/722/1.333 - 2.055 OPS).  

Cubs top 2019 J-2 IFA signing Ronnier Quintero made his pro game debut, beginning the game at DH and then finishing the game at catcher. He went 0-3 -- K-swinging in his first AB in the 2nd inning, then a 3-U GO in the 4th, and a 6-3 GO in the 6th, before reaching base on a HBP in the 8th and scoring on Fabrizio's RBI single. He was clearly gassed after running the bases in the 110-degree heat in the bottom of the 8th, and after a delay in the top of the 9th while he downed the contents of a water bottle at home plate after warming up the pitcher, he was able to finish the game. 

While this was his pro game debut. Quintero did attend post-season AZ Instructs last October in Mesa, but he did not play in any AZIL games (not even as a DH). Rather, he spent 100% of his time learning the catching trade, and was the bullpen catcher at all of the games, in addition to catching as much "live" BP and as many side-bullpen sessions as he could handle.   

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Ezequiel Pagan, LF: 1-3 (K, K, 2B, R, RBI)
1b. Felix Stevens, LF: 0-2 (6-3, K) 
2. Jared Young, 1B-DH: 0-2 (6-3, HBP, 1-3, R)
NOTE: Slot was skipped fourth time thru batting order
3. Reggie Preciado, SS: 0-3 (F-8, K, BB, K, R)
4a. Owen Caissie, RF: 2-3 (4-3, HR, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI) 
4b. Yovanny Cuevas, RF: 1-1 (HR, R, RBI)
5a. Rafael Morel, 3B: 0-1 (3-U, HBP)
5b. Oswaldo Pina, 3B: 0-2 (K, 6-3)
6. Ronnier Quintero, DH-C: 0-3 (K, 3-U, 6-3, HBP, R)
7a. Ismael Mena, CF: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 5-3)
7b. Jose O. Lopez, CF: 0-0 (BB, R)
8a. Widimer Joaquin, 2B: 0-3 (K, K, K) 
8b. Juan Mora, 2B: 0-0 (BB, R)
9a. Malcom Quintero, C-DH: 0-2 (F-7, F-8)
9b. Miguel Fabrizio, PH-DH: 1-2 (K, 1B, 2 RBI)
10. Shendrik Apostel, DH-1B: 0-1 (BB, BB, 5-3, 2 R) 
NOTE: Slot was skipped first time thru batting order 

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Porter Hodge: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 7/3 GO/AO, 38 pitches (23 strikes)
2. Luis Devers: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 10 pitches (6 strikes)
3. Andricson Salvador: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 17 pitches (12 strikes)
4. Johzan Oquendo: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (11 strikes)
5. Yovanny Cabrera: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 2/0 GO/AO, 14 pitches (12 strikes)
6. Gregori Montano: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (10 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. LF Ezequiel Pagan: E-7 (fielding error on line-drive single to LF allowed batter to reach 2nd base)
2. 3B Oswaldo Pina: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)  

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Malcom Quintero: 1-1 CS 
2. Ronnier Quintero: 0-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: N/A 

WEATHER: Party cloudy with temperatures 110+ 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"