Chicago Cubs score early, but fall to Giants, 8-6 in Scottsdale

Feb 25, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rob Zastryzny (29) throws in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rob Zastryzny (29) throws in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Cubs got off to a quick start, but the San Francisco Giants rallied and took the lead for good in the sixth for the 8-6 victory. But it’s okay because Cubs’ baseball is back.

8. 40. Final. 6. 9

The Chicago Cubs got their Spring Training schedule opened up on Saturday with a set of split squad games. While they opened up the home schedule at Sloan Park against the Oakland Athletics, the other squad headed to Scottsdale to face the San Francisco Giants. In typical Spring Training fashion, there were plenty of pitching changes and runs scored.

The Cubs (1-1) struck first off Giants (2-0) starter Matt Cain (0-0, 4.50) as Jeimer Candelario hit an RBI triple to score Javier Baez, giving the Cubs the early 1-0 lead. They would add one more in the second as they scored an unearned run on a Mark Zagunis flyout. Cain tossed just two innings, allowing one earned run on three hits.

Right back to work for Javy

Last year’s co-NLCS MVP Baez drove the Cubs third run of the game in the fifth inning with a double to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead, thanks to an error on the throw home. The merry-go-round of pitchers for the Cubs was effective for the first four innings, as Rob Zastryzny, Pierce Johnson, Dallas Beeler and Jhondaniel Medina shut the Giants down. Things fell apart in the fifth inning.

Cubs’ relievers Tommy Nance and Jim Henderson (0-1, 36.00) had no answers for the Giants hitters, allowing seven runs in the fifth and sixth inning, including a three-run homer by Jae-gyun Hwang to put them up to a 7-3 lead that they would never relinquish.

George Kontos (1-0, 0.00) would be the winner of the winning pitcher lottery as he was on in the sixth inning when the Giants took the lead for good. The Cubs did battle back, scoring two in the eighth and one in the ninth, but fell short, 8-6.

Next: Rondon must learn focus in middle relief

The Cubs will take on the Cleveland Indians in a rematch of last year’s World Series. The Indians’ Danny Salazar will face Jake Buchanan in tomorrow’s match-up.