The Chicago Cubs traveled to Glendale to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday; however, they suffered their first lost of Cactus League play 7-6.
Carlos Villanueva started for the Cubs in his first action of the spring and first time in a Cubs uniform. But it did not go well as he couldn’t escape the 1st inning. The first batter of the game Dee Gordon made Villanueva throw 16 pitches, but at the end did strikeout. After Gordon, Villanueva walked the next 2 batters and a run did score before being taken out.
In back-to-back days, the Cubs did not let the opposing pitcher get settled in. Luis Valbuena started the game with a double and Darwin Barney pitched in with a double as well plating Valbuena.
Nate Schierholtz, whom I think is having a good spring thus far (2 games) homered in the 1st to put the Cubs up 2-0.
Spring roster invitee Darnell McDonald doesn’t want to be sent to Triple A and make the team out of spring training. As he showed some pop in the 3rd inning hitting a 3-run home run shot to left field driving home Barney and Schierholtz.
Welington Castillo sees he has competition as the starting catcher and showed he’s the starter with a solo home run to center field in the game. Castillo saw Dioner Navarro hit a 3-run homer 2 days ago and had to match him.
Robert Whitenack of whom is coming back from Tommy John Surgery did not pitch well. He could not find the strike zone and nothing good will come out from that. Whitenack walked 2 batters and before exiting the game, he gave up 3 runs. You have to fell bad for the guy because he was pitching very well before the injury.
At the end of the game, the Cubs were short-handed in pitching and Dontrell Willis saw action in the game. But it did not go well at all as he walked the first guy and left the game after 7 pitches with an injury. I’ll have more about Willis later in the article.
Willis ended the game as the losing pitcher. Since Jensen Lewis could not get outs when he came in. So, the walk surrendered by Willis ended up coming around to score.
More on Dontrell Willis:
Willis, whom the Cubs signed to a minor-league deal in the off-season is trying to make a comeback. And what is better than trying to make a comeback with the team that drafted you?
Willis said the injury is “frustrating” and he felt discomfort after the 2nd pitch he threw. Willis is thought to have shoulder tightness with fatigue.
Willis also said it is a minor setback and should be ready to pitch next week. Willis had no chance to make the team out of spring training and will either start the season in Triple A or Double A.
Today the Cubs will take on the Colorado Rockies at 2 p.m. Central in Mesa.
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