The Cubs scored four runs in the first inning of this game and the game summary shows they hit three doubles in that inning, but all three of those baseballs could have been played had the Reds had a bit better defense.
In the end it didn’t matter, as Jameson Taillon and Ryan Rolison both got lit up for six runs and the Reds smashed the Cubs 17-6 on another very hot afternoon in the Phoenix area (86 degrees at game time, average high for today is 74).
Matt Shaw led off the game with a misplayed double and went to third on a wild pitch. Kevin Alcántara followed with a walk.
Moisés Ballesteros doubled in both runners [VIDEO].
As you can see, Reds left fielder Will Benson misplayed that ball. Still, it was well-struck by Mo Baller.
Dylan Carlson followed with another double. This single by Chas McCormick scored Ballesteros [VIDEO].
Jefferson Rojas followed by hitting into a double play, but Carlson scored to make it 4-0.
That lead didn’t last long. Taillon issued a walk in between getting a pair of outs in the bottom of the first, but after that it was a pair of doubles, making the score 4-2.
The Reds scored four in the second. Noelvi Marte led off with a home run off Taillon [VIDEO].
This was another pretty good pitch that the hitter went and got:
So, Jamo’s last start before heading to throw for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic wasn’t a good one. He threw 53 pitches (31 strikes). Here’s his pitch breakdown [VIDEO].
The Cubs tied up the game in the third. One run scored on a ground out, the other on this RBI single by Pedro Ramirez [VIDEO].
The 6-6 tie didn’t last very long, because left-hander Ryan Rolison, who had a 7.02 ERA in 31 games for the Rockies last year, got torched for six runs in the bottom of the third. The big blow was a three-run homer by Matt McLain. Rolison has options so he’ll wind up in the bullpen at Triple-A Iowa this year, although it wouldn’t surprise me if the Cubs try to get him through waivers at some point this spring if they need room on the 40-man roster.
The Reds announcers were a bit confused in the fifth, saying that Grayson Moore was pitching for the Cubs, but it was another No. 52, Collin Snider, who got lit up for three runs — another three-run homer, this one by Sal Stewart.
Then both managers cleared the benches for minor leaguers. The Reds added a run in the sixth on their fourth homer of the game, by Rece Hinds. At that point most probably just wanted this game to be over. Cubs minor leaguer Kade Snell smacked a three-run homer in the eighth to make it 17-9.
The result obviously doesn’t matter, but the hard hits of Taillon have to be at least a bit concerning. On the other hand, Carlson’s two doubles give him a .538 BA for the spring. Small sample size and spring games, of course, but Carlson’s making his case to make the Opening Day roster. Mo Baller also had two hits, and his delayed arrival at camp has clearly not affected his bat. Hoby Milner threw a scoreless inning, so that was good.
The Cubs will have an exhibition game against a WBC team Wednesday at Sloan Park, the team representing Italy. Cade Horton will start for the Cubs. At the time of this recap posting, Team Italy had not announced a starting pitcher for the exhibition game. Their top two starters are Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen, though I don’t think we’ll see either of those two against the Cubs. Game time Tuesday is 2:05 p.m. CT. No TV or radio for Tuesday’s game.