SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Despite Kris Bryant's first spring home run, the Chicago Cubs lost to the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on Saturday and remain winless (0-3-1) in the preseason.
The Good: Moments after Jorge Soler singled in the second inning, Bryant hit a long home run to left-center to bring the Cubs within a run at 3-2. Chris Coghlan was the other bright spot on offense as he had two hits and a walk. Albert Almora earned himself a hustle double on a hit to right center in the eighth inning, eventually scoring the Cubs' third run. Matt Szczur homered to lead-off the ninth inning.
Bryant can be a streaky home run hitter, and when he gets locked in they’ll come in bunches. He and Soler had a chance to drive in a run from third in their next at-bats but came up short.
The OK: Jason Hammel was better in his second inning of work but threw about 35 pitches in the first. Long at-bats by the first two Rockies hitters resulted in a walk and single before Nolan Arenado hit a three-run home run.
“Honestly, a stupid pitch to Arenado there,” Hammel said afterward. “He didn’t take a good hack on my slider before, I probably should have gone back to it.”
Despite giving up those three runs on four hits in two innings, Hammel said he was happy with his performance while accomplishing the most important aspect of the afternoon.
“What you want is to get through it healthy, and I achieved that,” he said.
Anthony Rizzo was 0-for-3 and is looking for his first hit of the spring season.
Britton nails Quintanilla: For the second time this week, a Cubs pitcher knocked an opponent from the game with a hit-by-pitch. Omar Quintanilla was hit in the left wrist in the seventh inning by lefty Drake Britton. Quintanilla left the game with a contusion. On Thursday, Corey Black hit Hunter Pence of the Giants, breaking a bone in his forearm.
Maddon impressed: Before the game, Maddon praised his players and coaches for providing a college-like atmosphere around the team.
“I’ve been impressed with our coaches and players and everything on a daily basis to the point where -- and I mean this in the most complimentary way -- it’s like running a collegiate baseball program,” he said. “It’s like almost running an amateur group that’s trying to become professionals. Because of that it’s almost like Cub University. That’s what we’re building right now, and I love it.”
Maddon said there are no scholarships to his university. Everything is earned, and he made sure to spell out the word E-A-R-N-E-D.
“I’m like the head coach of a really good baseball university,” Maddon stated. “Its’ really kind of neat.
“We really promote liberal arts in baseball.”
Coke almost ready: Newly signed lefty reliever Phil Coke will practice with the Cubs for the first time Sunday, but there is no timetable for when he’ll appear in a game, according to Maddon. Coke threw a bullpen session Saturday morning and probably needs one more before getting into a game.
“He’s in really good shape,” Maddon said. “That’s what I’m hearing.”
What’s next: The Cubs are back home Sunday in Mesa to take on the Texas Rangers. Jake Arrieta and Tsuyoshi Wada are scheduled to pitch.
