Cactus League: Cubs vs Diamondbacks 3/1/13

On Friday the Cubs played host to the Diamondbacks in Mesa. Unfortunately for the Cubs and their pitchers, the D’backs roughed up the home team on the way to a 6-2 win for Arizona. Potential Opening Day starter Jeff Samardzija was stretched to three innings of work in his second appearance this Spring. He only allowed one run on one hit, but issued a not so pretty three walks.

Reliever Rafael Dolis took the brunt of the Diamondbacks’ beating during a four run sixth inning that proved to be the game. Dolis only lasted 1/3 of an inning and was hung with the loss. Veterans James Russell and Shawn Camp continued their scoreless start in Cactus action, with both getting in an inning of work a piece.

September 7, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Welington Castillo (front) and Cubs center fielder Tony Campana (rear) fool around during batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A positive trend seen so far out of the Cubs offense has been early run production. The Cubs put up two more first inning runs on Friday, compliments of an Anthony Rizzo double and a sac fly from outfielder Nate Schierholtz. Unfortunately for the home team, the first frame is also where the Cubs offense ended, as the Diamondbacks kept the North Siders off the scoreboard the rest of the way. This was despite the Cubs knocking out seven hits for the game.

David DeJesus was found in his usual lead off spot and got the table set with a walk to start the game, but finished 0 for 2. Luis Valbuena was bumped to the two slot and went 1 for 2 to keep his early Spring average over .500. Rizzo was the only Cub to collect more than one hit. Mean while, familiar face Tony Campana made the most of his appearance against his former team that traded him just a couple of weeks ago. His box score line read 2 for 2 with 2 RBI, with his pair of hits being of the double and triple variety.