Christian Olivo belted a two-run double and Cristian Hernandez collected an RBI on a bases-loaded walk for the Cubs, and SP Wander Guante hurled four innings of two-hit shutout ball with seven strikeouts (no walks) for the Athletics, as the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Sloan Park, but a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) event was held in the stadium simultaneous with the Cubs game, so the ball game was moved across the street. 

Pedro Ramirez returned to the Cubs lineup after being hit in the helmet by a pitch in an intrasquad game on Wednesday, so he apparently passed the concussion protocol with flying colors. 

In other EXST news, INF Andrelton Simmons has completed his EXST rehab and has been assigned to AAA Iowa on an official Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab Assignment (a maximum of 20 days because he is a position player, and the player can call it off at any time). Simmons appeared to be 100% at the plate and on the bases in Mesa, and while he hasn't played much shorstop in Cactus League EXST games, he did take grounders for 20 minutes on Field #1 on Wednesday and made all of the throws a shortstop would need to make in a game. How his shoulder felt afterward, I don't know. 

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

With Friday's game postponed, the Cubs and Dodgers will open things up with a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. See below for the match-ups in this three-game series.

Cristian More hammered a solo HR and Jake Slaughter rapped an RBI double and a single and scored a run for the Cubs, and SP Jose Cabrera hurled three innngs of one-run ball for the Diamondbacks "Red" squad, as the two teams played to a 6-6 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

Cubs pitchers issued 11 walks (seven by SP Marino Santy), hit a batter, committed a balk, and uncorked four wild pitches. 

The game was called after six innings of play. 

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

P. J. Hilson belted an RBI double and a solo HR, Juan Perez laced a two-run single, Anthony Rodriguez walked four times and scored two runs, and SP Mikell Manzano tossed three innings of one-run ball and combined with three relievers to strike out 14 (including the last six outs by gas throwin' closer William Suarez), as the Giants edged the Cubs 5-4 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Andrelton Simmons served as a DH and singled twice, tripled, and scored a run, Carlos Sepulveda drove-in two runs with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single and scored a run, and Dilan Granadillo drilled a two-run single, to account for the four Cub runs.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 
 
Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Bryan Serra belted a walk-off two-run HR halfway up the RF berm, as the Cubs "Blue" squad came from behind to edge the Cubs "Red" squad 2-1 in a three-inning Cactus League Extended Spring Training intrasquad game played at Sloan Park on Wednesday afternoon. 

Felix Stevens, Bryan Serra, and Carlos Morfa played for both squads.  

Pedro Ramirez was hit on the helmet by an Anthony Martinez fastball leading off the bottom of the first inning. He laid motionless on the ground for about a minute as Cubs trainers attended to him and was eventually helped off the field, but he was unable to remain in the game. I would think he will probably be in concussion protocol for a while.   

Here is the box score from the game: 

Andrelton Simmons singled twice, walked, and scored a run, Rafael Morel drilled a two-run double and an RBI single, walked, and stole a base, Brayan Altuve laced a double and an RBI single and scored a run, and Moises Ballesteros roped an RBI double, walked, and scored a run, helping the Cubs come from behind to edge the Athletics 8-7 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morining on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Darlyn Montero ripped an RBI single and an RBI double and drew a walk for the A's in a losing cause. 

Cubs and A's pitchers combined to issue 19 walks and throw nine wild pitches.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

In Cubs EXST news, OF Cole Roederer (July 2021 TJS) has completed his Mesa rehab assignment and has been temporarily assigned to Lo-A Myrtle Beach. He will be moved up to Hi-A South Bend once the weather warms up. Also, 1B-OF Felix Stevens (on the Myrtle Beach 7-day IL since April 15th) has reported to Mesa for a rehab assignment. 

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

The Cubs started the month of May with a 2-0 win against the Brewers to hold off a sweep. Next, they take on their cross-city rivals for the first time in 2022. See the matchups in this two-game series below.