Colin Rea threw four efficient innings Saturday night in Peoria, Arizona and the Cubs defeated the Mariners 7-1.
Rea threw 77 pitches (50 strikes) and generally looked like the solid pitcher he was for the Cubs most of last year. He’ll be in a long relief/spot starter role to begin the season and he seems to thrive in that role. The Cubs are lucky to have a guy like that.
Here’s more on Rea’s outing [VIDEO].
The Cubs scored first, in the top of the first. With one out, Moisés Ballesteros doubled. Really,
that guy is amazing. He might not look like the traditional ballplayer, but man, that guy can hit.
Miguel Amaya singled in Ballesteros. (Had hoped to have video of this, but it doesn’t appear to be available.) I think Amaya is primed to have a huge year, if he stays healthy.
The Mariners’ only run off Rea was unearned, scoring in the second on this missed pickoff [VIDEO].
Dylan Carlson homered in the sixth to give the Cubs the lead [VIDEO].
That ball went a long way [VIDEO].
The Cubs added more in the sixth on a two-run single by Ben Cowles [VIDEO].
Michael Conforto, who was told Saturday that he’s made the team, had two hits on the night. Personally, I’d rather see him start in right field in place of Seiya Suzuki than have Matt Shaw out there.
Jonathon Long, trying to make up for lost time this spring, also had two hits.
Collin Snider and Corbin Martin threw scoreless innings in relief. Minor leaguer Evan Taylor threw two scoreless frames. After all the regulars departed, some Cubs minor leaguers put three more on the board in the eighth. Cowles had another RBI in that inning, his third of the game.
The Cubs return to Sloan Park Sunday afternoon to take on the Brewers. Cade Horton will start for the Cubs and Chad Patrick will go for Milwaukee. Game time is 12:05 p.m. CT and this one’s being televised all over the place: Marquee Sports Network, Brewers TV and ESPN Unlimited. There’s also a radio broadcast on WSCR The Score.
