Cactus League: Cubs vs Rockies 2/26/13

While the Chicagoland area was host to a snow storm, the Cubs played host to the Colorado Rockies. How was the weather in Arizona? Sunny and 61 degrees at game time. The Cubs offense stayed warm as well, highlighted by solo home runs by Christian Villanueva and Dave Sappelt.

Sappelt’s round tripper ended up being the winning run of the game, but Brett Jackson also picked up a RBI with a sac fly that brought in Starlin Castro, who led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. Prospect Matt Szczur earned a bases loaded walk to provide an insurance run and capped the Cubs scoring for the day.

Feb 18, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva (61) poses for a picture during photo day at Fitch Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Edwin Jackson took a step in the right direction in terms of backing up his newly inked multi million dollar contract with the Cubs. The rotation’s projected third starter provided two innings of scoreless ball, only allowing a pair of hits that came with two outs. Drew Carpenter and Nick Struck were the pair of relievers that allowed the Rockies two runs, while Chris Rusin matched Jackson’s performance on the day.

The Cubs also got to see a couple of familiar faces across the diamond, with former Cubs Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu now rocking Colorado purple. Colvin got action as the lead off hitter for the Rockies and went 1 for 3. LeMahieu came on late in the game and registered a lead off triple in the eighth against his former team, eventually scoring the second and final run for the visitors. Mean while, the Cubs return on the trade last year did not partake in the action. Ian Stewart, as you are aware, is currently sidelined with an injury and Casey Weathers is not part of the Major League camp in Arizona. At this rate the Cubs are looking to remain the losers of the exchange.