Javier Baez, Mike Olt homer; Chicago Cubs fall in 10th 7-6

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Olt and Javier Baez each hit their fourth home run of the spring, but the Chicago Cubs (10-12) couldn’t hold a six run lead and lost to the Texas Rangers (6-11) in ten innings. The Cubs hit for the cycle as a team during a five run third, all of which followed an error by Kevin Kouzmanoff that would have ended the inning.

Olt knocked in three runs for the Cubs, and continued to make his case to be the Cubs opening day starter at third base. Prospect Javier Baez went 2-for-5, but hit the ball hard several times for outs to go along with his home run and double.

Jason Hammel was effective through three innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth allowing an RBI triple to Jim Adducci, followed by an RBI single by J.P. Arencibia. Hammel gave up two more runs in the fifth, allowing four runs on seven hits in his five inning of work.

Former Cubs pitcher Neal Cotts pitched a scoreless inning for the Rangers while striking out two. The Cubs held a 6-4 advantage into the eighth until Jim Adducci battled off several pitches from Cubs reliever Armando Rivero before hitting a game-tying 2-run home run.

After completing the ninth inning, both managers opted to continue playing into the tenth inning. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning and the bases loaded, Rangers prospect Michael Choice hit a high chopper to third. Jeimer Candelario was unable to tag the passing runner and the throw to first was late to win the game for the Rangers. Marcus Hatley (1-2, 3.86) took the loss for the Cubs. Ryne Slack (1-0, 0.00) picked up the victory.

The Chicago Cubs will take on the Colorado Rockies Wednesday night in a 9:40 ET start at Salt River Fields.