Edwin Jackson has strong start, Chicago Cubs top Angels 4-2

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Edwin Jackson escaped some early trouble and put in a solid four innings as the Cubs (10-11)beat the Los Angeles Angels (8-10) 4-2 in a split-squad game on Monday afternoon.

Jackson (1-2, 4.00) surrendered two hits and awalk to load the bases in the first, but managed to strikeout former Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena to end the inning.

The Cubs got some early offense from some of the bigger names playing today in Mesa. Emilio Bonifacio tripled to knock in the Cubs’ first run. That was followed by a Ryan Roberts double to bring home Bonifacio. Anthony Rizzo then singled in Roberts as the Cubs took a 3-0 advantage. Darnell McDonald added an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to close out the scoring for the Cubs.

The Cubs pitching through seven was superb, as Edwin Jackson, Chang-Yong Lim, and Jose Veras combined to shutout the Angels. In the eighth, two wild pitches – one by Blake Parker and another by Paolo Espino – each allowed a run to score. Neil Ramirez pitched an efficient ninth for the Cubs collecting his first save on only three pitches.

Two former Cubs battling for roster spots took the field for the Angels today. Carlos Pena was 0-for-3 with a walk, but left the bases loaded when he struck out in the first. Ian Stewart went 1-for-4 with a strikeout as he looks to battle back after several injury filled seasons.

The Chicago Cubs take on the Texas Rangers tomorrow with a 9:05 p.m. CT start.