Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Rockies Wednesday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2016-03-30T19:10:06-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/110324992016-03-30T19:10:06-05:002016-03-30T19:10:06-05:00Cubs 10, Rockies 0: Jon Lester Does It All!
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<figcaption>Danny Rockett</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs finished the Cactus League season with an offensive outburst.</p> <p><b>MESA, Arizona</b> -- It had to happen because I saw it with my very own eyes, though I had to make sure by asking people seated around me if they saw it, too. They did, so I was pretty sure it wasn't just a mass hallucination.</p>
<p>"It" was the first home run hit in professional baseball, anywhere, by <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> lefthander <span>Jon Lester</span>.</p>
<p>And, even though the game wasn't televised, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/lesters-two-run-home-run/c-568741083?tid=69972428" target="_blank">we have video proof</a>!</p>
<p><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/568741083" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Looks like there was single-camera coverage recording highlights, and the call is from Mick Gillispie on cubs.com. Lester's homer -- opposite field, no less -- was part of a seven-run Cubs fourth inning that also included a two-run double from <span>David Ross</span> (who had three doubles) and this homer from <span>Kyle Schwarber</span>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlb.com/video/schwarbers-solo-home-run/c-568745083">back-to-back with Lester [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" src="https://streamable.com/m/568745083"></iframe></p>
<p>Also oppo, also Mick Gillispie on the call. Lester has bragging rights, as his homer went farther than Schwarber's. Here's what Lester said about his blast:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FYI, last time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> Lester hit a home run: high school</p>
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/715316422579208195">March 30, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> Lester on HR: "It was a cool thing and something you can put on the mantle but it really doesn't matter. ... (1 of 2)</p>
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/715317682321678336">March 30, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> Lester on HR: "Hopefully we can get one during the season. That will mean a lot more."</p>
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/715317783211466752">March 30, 2016</a>
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<p>Courtesy of BCB's Danny Rockett, here are two photos of Lester's home-run trot:</p>
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<p>When Lester wasn't flexing his hitting prowess, he was pitching lights-out. One way to not have to worry about holding runners on is to not allow any, and Lester nearly did that in five shutout innings. He allowed a fourth-inning single to <span>Mark Reynolds</span>, and <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> catcher <span>Tony Wolters</span> reached on a throwing error by <span>Addison Russell</span> (unusual, that one was, a really wild throw). Wolters did steal second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded. Lester had excellent command, especially of his breaking pitches, and struck out 10 (five called strikeouts).</p>
<p>Other Cubs hitting stars of the 17-hit attach: <span>Kris Bryant</span> (single, double), <span>Tommy La Stella</span> (two singles), <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (single, walk), <span>Jorge Soler</span> (two singles, two RBI) and Russell (double, walk).</p>
<p>After the fifth inning the entire starting team departed, leaving to warm applause through the left-field exit, likely on their way to catch the team flight to Las Vegas.</p>
<p><span>Adam Warren</span> and <span>Clayton Richard</span> finished up with two scoreless innings each. Warren allowed a pair of hits and was helped out by a slick fielding play by <span>Logan Watkins</span> . Richard allowed three hits (probably should have been two; the last hit was a bobbled ball that could have been called an error) and ended the game by inducing a 5-4-3 double play.</p>
<p>So the Cubs finish the Cactus League with a 10-17-2 record, but this game shows how much offense this ballclub can generate, and that's without <span>Dexter Fowler</span>, <span>Jason Heyward</span> or <span>Miguel Montero</span> in the starting lineup. Ross had a really good spring with the bat, going 9-for-29 (.357) with five doubles and six RBI. Russell hit .260 this spring, but with a double, five homers and 12 RBI.</p>
<p>Attendance watch: 15,108 paid at Sloan Park Wednesday, another sellout, bringing the season total to 226,163, which is an all-time spring-training record. It broke last year's record of 222,415 by 3,748, or 250 per date. The average this year of 15,078 is thus also a record. Of the 15 home dates at Sloan Park, just two (March 7 vs. the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> and March 9 vs. the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indians</a>) did not sell out. It was nice to see BCB'er redivy this afternoon; he's here on his annual pilgrimage to spring training from England.</p>
<p>The Cubs have three more practice games, two in Las Vegas vs. the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> Thursday and Friday, and one against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> Sunday in Anaheim before they begin the 2016 regular season, also in Anaheim, Monday evening. Thursday's starters are two prospects, Ryan Williams for the Cubs and Paul Sewald for the Mets. The game starts at 7 p.m. CT Thursday, and a game preview will post here at 5 p.m. CT Thursday.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/3/30/11335150/cubs-rockies-recap-jon-lester-david-ross-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2016-03-30T16:30:02-05:002016-03-30T16:30:02-05:00Overflow Thread: Cubs vs. Rockies, Wed 3/30
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/3/30/11279376/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-rockies-wednesday-3-30-3-05-ctAl Yellon2016-03-30T15:00:02-05:002016-03-30T15:00:02-05:00First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Rockies, Wed 3/30
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/3/30/11279368/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-rockies-wednesday-3-30-3-05-ctAl Yellon2016-03-30T13:00:03-05:002016-03-30T13:00:03-05:00Cubs vs. Rockies at Mesa Preview, Wednesday 3/30
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs conclude the Cactus League schedule this afternoon.</p> <p><b>SCOTTSDALE, Arizona</b> -- Entering today's final Cactus League game, the Cubs have the second-worst record (9-17; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> are worst at 9-19). The Rockies, today's opponent, are third-best among Arizona spring teams at 14-10.</p>
<p>Does this mean a thing? No. No, it does not. After today, these two teams will meet again in a couple of weeks at Wrigley Field. At that time, barring rainouts, both teams will have played nine regular-season games. Does anyone here think the Rockies will have a better record than the Cubs at that point?</p>
<p>So, one more tune-up in the sunshine (which has returned) of Arizona, before three more practice games, and then, at last, we can get to the 2016 regular season. I'm sure you're more than ready.</p>
<p>Here are today's particulars.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<pre>Schwarber LF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler RF, La Stella 2B, Russell SS, Szczur CF, Ross C, Lester P</pre>
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<p><span>Dexter Fowler</span>, still out. Hopefully back this weekend.</p>
<p>Rockies lineup:</p>
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<pre>Parra CF, Story SS, Gonzalez RF, Arenado 3B, Paulsen 1B, Hundley C, Tapia LF, Valaika 2B, De La Rosa P</pre>
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<p>Valaika. Hmmm. That name looks familiar, right? It's not <span>Chris Valaika</span>, though -- he's the hitting coach for the Cubs' Mesa team in the Arizona Rookie League. This is Chris' younger brother Pat Valaika, who was the Rockies' ninth-round pick in the 2003 draft. He's 23 and played last year at Double-A.</p>
<p>The Rockies are a split squad today, though quite a number of their regulars are in this lineup.</p>
<p><span>Jon Lester</span> starts for the Cubs today. <span>Clayton Richard</span> is the only reliever on the Cubs list today, so look for Lester to possibly go seven innings.</p>
<p><span>Jorge De La Rosa</span> starts for the Rockies. Others on the Rockies pitching list today: <span>Boone Logan</span>, <span>Jake McGee</span>, Sam Moll, <span>Chad Qualls</span>, <span>Miguel Castro</span>, Matt Carasiti and <span>Ryan Arrowood</span>. (Looks like the Rox still have some bullpen decisions to make!)</p>
<p>Today's game is on cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie. This is the last Cubs game this year that will not be televised.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_03_30_colmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?date=4/1/2015#date=3/30/2016">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> site <a href="http://www.purplerow.com" target="_blank">Purple Row</a>. If you do go there to interact with Rockies fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p><i>Please note that during spring training, Gameday doesn't usually go pitch-by-pitch as it does during the regular season -- usually, it will update after each at-bat.</i></p>
<p>For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT.</p>
<p>These threads will <i>not</i> post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">"Chicago Cubs Game Threads"</a> at the <i>bottom</i> of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher boxes and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/3/30/11254802/cubs-rockies-mesa-preview-wednesdayAl Yellon