Cub Offense Shines Under the Lights in ACL Opening Night
Ezequiel Pagan blasted a solo HR to key a four-run third, Reggie Preciado immediately followed with a solo HR and then later walked three times (once with the bases loaded) and stole a base, Rafael Morel singled, walked, and scored a run, Owen Caissie singled twice, walked, and stole a base, Felix Stevens smacked a double and an RBI triple and scored two runs, Malcom Quintero doubled, walked, and scored two runs, Ismael Mena laced two RBI singles and drew a walk, and Shendrik Apostel singled and walked, helping the ACL Cubs defeat the ACL Diamondbacks 7-4 in Arizona Complex League (formerly AZL) Opening Night game action Monday evening on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.
Juan Corniel belted an RBI triple and scored in the 3rd and drilled a two-run single in the 7th to provide most of the offense for the D'backs.
The Cubs scored five runs on nine hits (five singles, two doubles, and two HR) off Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Taylor Widener in 2.2 IP. Widener has been on the D'backs MLB 10-day IL for over a month with a groin strain, and was making what he problably thought was a ho-hum Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab start in Mesa. Or as Augie Ojeda once said about doing a rehab stint in the AZL: "This is a really tough league for big leaguers."
Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):
ACL CUBS LINEUP:
1. Ezequiel Pagan, LF: 1-5 (3-1, HR, K, 4-3, K, R, RBI)
2. Reggie Preciado, SS: 1-2 (K, HR, BB, BB, BB, R, 2 RBI, SB)
3. Rafael Morel, 3B: 1-4 (K, 1B, K, BB, F-7)
4. Owen Caissie, RF: 2-4 (1B, K, 1B, K, BB, SB)
5. Felix Stevens, DH: 2-5 (6-4-3 DP, 2B, K, 3B, F-8, 2 R, RBI)
6. Malcom Quintero, C: 1-4 (2B, K, 4-3, BB, L-6, 2 R)
7. Ismael Mena, CF: 2-4 (1B, 1B, BB, K, F-7, 2 RBI)
8. Shendrik Apostel, 1B: 1-3 (1B, K, 5-4 FC, BB)
9. Widimer Joaquin, 2B: 0-3 (4-3, K, P-6, BB)
ACL CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Porter Hodge: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 2 BALKS, 1 GIDP, 3/1 GO/AO, 64 pitches (37 strikes)
2. Johzan Oquendo: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/AO, 22 pitches (14 strikes)
3. Angel Gonzalez-Martinez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 28 pitches (10 strikes)
4. Alberto Sojo: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R 0 BB, 4 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 36 pitches (28 strikes)
5. Dawel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 7 pitches (6 strikes)
ACL CUBS ERRORS:
1. P Porter Hodge: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd)
2. SS Reggie Preciado: E-6 (fielding miscue/bobble allowed batter to reach base safely)
ACL CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Malcom Quintero: 0-2 CS
ATTENDANCE: 27
WEATHER: Mostly cloudy and breezy with tempeatures 100+
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2021 ACL CUBS OPENING DAY ACTIVE LIST ROSTER
48 players active, plus one player is on 60-DAY IL
NOTE: There is no Active List roster limit in the ACL
* bats or throws left
# bats both
PITCHERS: 28
Elian Almanzar
Rony Baez
Josh Burgmann
Yovanny Cabrera
Chris Clarke
Luis Devers
Kelvin Feliz
Wilfri Figuereo
Angel Gonzalez-Martinez
* Angel Hernandez
Porter Hodge
Adam Heidenfelder
* Luke Little
* Joel Machado
Gregori Montano
Koen Moreno
Johzan Oquendo
Marco Prieto
Sheldon Reed
Jorge Remon
Benjamin Rodriguez
Dawel Rodriguez
* Luis Angel Rodriguez
Robinson Rodriguez
* Andricson Salvador
Tyler Schlaffer
Alberto Sojo
* Dalton Stambaugh
CATCHERS: 5
# Miguel Fabrizio
Edgar Gamargo
# Malcom Quintero
* Ronnier Quintero
* Wally Soto
INFIELDERS: 7
Shendrik Apostel
Widimer Joaquin
Juan Mora
Rafael Morel
Miguel Pabon
Oswaldo Pina
# Reggie Preciado
OUTFIELDERS: 8+1
* Owen Caissie
Manny Collier
Yovanny Cuevas
Rafael Herrera
* Jose O. Lopez
* Ismael Mena
Carlos Morfa (60-DAY IL)
* Ezequiel Pagan
Felix Stevens
MANAGER:
Lance Rymel
COACHES:
Jhonny Bethencourt
Rachel Folden
Armando Gabino
Doug Willey
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