The Cubs scored four runs in the first inning of this game, and the game summary showed they had a triple-double in that inning, but if the Reds had a better defense, all three baseballs could have been played.
It didn’t matter in the end, as Jameson Taillon and Ryan Rolison both drove in six runs and the Reds defeated the Cubs 17-6 on another very hot afternoon in the Phoenix area (the temperature was 86 degrees at the time of the game, today’s average high is 74 degrees).
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Matt Shaw led off the game with an errant double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kevin Alcántara followed with a walk.
Moisés Ballesteros doubles in both runners [VIDEO].
As you can see, Reds left fielder Will Benson missed the ball. Still, Mo Baller left a good impression on me.
Dylan Carlson followed with another double. Chas McCormick wrote this single for Ballesteros [VIDEO].
Jefferson Rojas then hit a double play, but Carlson scored to make it 4-0.
That lead didn’t last long. Tyrone got a pair of outs in the bottom of the first inning, but then hit a pair of doubles to make it 4-2.
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The Reds scored four points in the second quarter. Noelvi Marte hits home run for Taillon [VIDEO].
Here’s another pretty good pitch the batsman got:
So Jarmo’s last start before playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic didn’t go well. He threw 53 pitches (31 hits). Here’s his pitch breakdown [VIDEO].
The Cubs tied the game in the third period. One run was scored on a grounder and the other was scored on Pedro Ramirez’s RBI single. [VIDEO].
The 6-6 tie didn’t last long as left-hander Ryan Rollison, who had a 7.02 ERA in 31 games for the Rockies last year, was allowed six runs in the bottom half of the third quarter. The biggest hit was Matt McClain’s three-run home run. Rollison has options, so he’ll be in the bullpen at Triple-A Iowa this year, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cubs try to get him via waivers at some point this spring if they need room on the 40-man roster.
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The Reds announcers were a little confused in the fifth inning, saying Grayson Moore was pitching for the Cubs, but another player, No. 52, Colin Snyder, hit a triple — another three-run homer, this one from Sal Stewart.
Both managers then cleared the bench for minor leaguers. The Reds hit their fourth home run of the game in the sixth inning, a single off Rece Hinds. At that point, it’s likely that you just wanted the game to be over. Cubs minor leaguer Cade Snell hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to bring the score to 17-9.
The outcome obviously doesn’t matter, but Tyrone’s punch is at least a little worrying. On the other hand, Carlson’s two doubles gave him a spring BA of .538. Sure, the sample size and spring games are small, but Carlson is proving his case to make the Opening Day roster. Mo Baller also had two hits, his late arrival to camp apparently not affecting his bat. Hobey Milner pitched a scoreless inning, so that’s good.
The Cubs will play an exhibition game Wednesday at Sloan Park against the WBC team representing Italy. Cade Horton will start for the Cubs. As of the time of this article’s publication, Italy has yet to announce its starting pitcher for this exhibition game. Their two starters are Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen, although I don’t think we’ll see either of those guys against the Cubs. Tuesday’s game is set for 2:05 pm Central Time. There will be no television or radio for Tuesday’s game.
