Cactus League: Cubs vs Mariners 3/28/13, Goodbye HoHoKam

On Thursday the Cubs hosted the Seattle Mariners in Mesa. If you have not made it out to Cubs Spring Training for a game or ten over the last couple of decades, you missed your chance to catch a game while the North Siders called HoHoKam Park home. This game was the last the Cubs would play as hosts, with the Oakland A’s taking over the facility in 2015.

11,635 fans showed up to join the Cubs in saying goodbye to HoHoKam as an added bonus to catching the game and some warm temperatures. The home team failed to part ways with a victory, dropping the game to the Mariners after twice blowing a lead.

Mar 7, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; A general view of a game between the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Villanueva got the nod for his final start of the Spring, allowing four runs (one earned) over five innings of work. Hisanaori Takahashi was roughed up for three runs in three frames to take the loss. The Cubs offense did manage four runs, highlighted by a two run jack by Alfonso Soriano.

The Cubs fell to 16-18 for the Spring. Anyone have more fond memories of a trip to HoHoKam Park than what the Cubs provided Thursday? Drop a line in the comments section.