Jose A. Gonzalez

Fernando Kelli reached base four times (three singles and an HBP), stole a base, collected two RBI, and scored a run, Fidel Mejia ripped an RBI triple and two singles, and Jose A. Gonzalez drilled an RBI double, walked twice, and scored a run, in Cubs Extended Spring Training intrasquad game action Monday night on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

RHSP Jose Albertos continues to struggle with command (mostly by spiking his FB in front of home plate or throwing it over the batter's head), allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits (four singles and a double), four walks, a HBP, and two wild pitches in 3.1 IP (73 pitches), while throwing only 48% strikes. He was, however, also occasionally brilliant, striking out six and getting batters to repeatedly hit his pitches into the ground when he was not recording a punch-out, issuing a walk, hitting a batter, or throwing a WP (4/0 GO/AO).  

Here is the box score from the game: 

Henderson Perez collected four singles and an RBI and scored a run (his second four-hit game in the last two weeks), Gustavo Polanco belted an RBI triple and two singles, Kwangmin Kwon singled, doubled, stole a base, and scored a run, Jose A. Gonzalez clubbed a game-tying opposite-field solo HR, and Christopher Morel laced two RBI singles (second one proved to be the game-winner), as the Cubs scored four runs over the final three innings to edge the Dodgers 6-5 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training Memorial Day game action on Field #5 on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Jacob Amaya drilled a solo HR and an RBI single and Jeremy Arocho singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored a run for the Dodgers in a losing cause. 

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

Prior to the game on Field #5, LHP Justin Steele (three innings - 45 pitches), RHP Yunior Perez (two innings - 30 pitches), and RHP Hector Alonso Garcia (one inning - 20 pitches) squared-off in a three-inning "sim" game on Field #4. Steele threw a breaking ball for the first time since his July 2017 TJS.   

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

RHSP Javier Medina fired five innings of two-hit shutout ball and Jeff Bohling and Jeff Moberg laced back-to-back RBI doubles to highlight a four-run 2nd inning, as the Rockies blanked the Cubs 4-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training games action Tuesday morning on Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.  

Cubs CF Jose Gutierrez suffered a left knee or ankle injury while running the bases in the top of the 3rd inning, but he was able to leave the field under his own power (albeit with a slight limp). 

Recently-signed FA outfielder Lane Adams continues to get reps at Extended Spring Training while waiting for a roster slot to open up at AAA Iowa, and he started today's game in LF and then moved to CF after Gutierrez left the game. Adams went 2-4 at the plate, including a double, a single, and a stolen base, and he also flied out to deep left with two runners on base in the 3rd (the Rockies LF caught the ball with his back against the wall). Adams was one of the better "4th outfielders" in MLB last season.   

Speaking of "4th outfielders," Jose A. Gonzalez (not to be confused with Jose M. Gonzalez, a RHP at Cubs EXST) is competing for the "4th OF" gig at Eugene, and he did nothing to hurt his cause today, making the defensive play of the game (an inning-ending run-saving full-extension back-handed diving catch in right-centerield). He isn't much of a hitter, but Gonzalez is a polished outfield defender and is fundamentally-sound in all phases of the game.

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