The Cubs are streaking.
Sure, the video games don’t rely but, however the Cubs received’t complain about racking up Cactus League wins. They received their seventh consecutive sport Tuesday with a 9-6 victory towards the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz. Catcher Luis Torrens hit two house runs and infielder Sergio Alcántara tallied three RBIs, together with a two-run double.
Elvis Andrus, Oscar Colás, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Marisnick every had two hits for the White Sox in a 5-2 victory towards the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch.
Colás, vying for a roster spot and the opening in proper area, additionally scored twice. He hit within the second spot within the lineup.
“He’s put together some really good at-bats,” Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol stated earlier than the sport of Colás, who’s hitting .429.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope, Meghan Montemurro and Paul Sullivan can be offering Cubs and White Sox updates all through spring coaching.
Adrian Sampson not stressing about homers
Cubs right-hander Adrian Sampson depends on mushy contact for fulfillment. Although his offseason velocity program has added a few ticks to his fastball this spring, he nonetheless counts on balls in play and his protection for efficient outings.
As he tries to safe the ultimate opening-day rotation spot, the lengthy ball has burned Sampson this spring. Through two outings, he has allowed six house runs in 4⅓ innings, together with three Tuesday towards the Rangers. He exited after giving up 4 hits and 6 runs in 2⅔ innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
Sampson surrendered solely 10 house runs in 104⅓ innings (21 video games, 19 begins) final yr.
“Obviously you want to limit damage whenever you can,” Sampson stated Tuesday. “They’re placing some good bats on the ball and whatnot, however I really feel like I’m in a great place. It’s simply lacking the center of the plate right here and there.
“On the mound, you’re competing out there. You don’t want to just throw (batting practice). I’m taking it as spring training and knocking the rust off.”
Sampson has been working with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy to generate higher motion separation between his sinker and fastball.
“I’m feeling great,” Sampson stated. “This is a time for this to happen, so I’m just going to hunt the good stuff whenever I can at the situation. Hopefully the results come here and there, but I’ve still got time until the season starts.”
Lance Lynn ‘in a good spot’ forward of WBC
Lance Lynn made his last begin for the Sox earlier than becoming a member of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, permitting two hits and hanging out 5 in 4 scoreless innings.
“All and all, everything worked out well,” Lynn stated. “Everything feels good. All the pitches are working. Feeling like I’m in a good spot.”
Tuesday was Lynn’s third begin this spring as he ramps up for the season and the WBC.
Lynn performed for the 2007 Collegiate National Team and is trying ahead to this chance with Team USA.
“You represent your country, so there’s really not a whole lot bigger you can do as an athlete besides winning a World Series,” he stated. “When you might be representing your nation, that’s fairly excessive up there.
“I was able to do it when I was in college, so to be able to have this opportunity again, I’ve been lucky in this game. To be able to have that opportunity again is awesome.”
Edwin Ríos exhibiting off ‘real power’
More energy manufacturing was an offseason want the Cubs didn’t absolutely deal with with their strikes. It’s an space president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged in October they wanted to enhance.
Third base presents probably the most versatile matchup-based spot within the lineup, and Edwin Ríos is making an impression in camp. Ríos cut up time between third and first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit his second Cactus League house run Tuesday, tying him for the staff lead.
“He doesn’t look like he’s a panic guy,” supervisor David Ross stated earlier than the sport. “Early on he was getting his time, and then as of late he’s really barreled some baseballs. I’ve been extremely encouraged by his work ethic.”
Ríos’ method hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ross complimented his devotion to the work he places in, noting how he’ll present up on the complicated at 1 p.m. to get in work earlier than a 7 p.m. sport.
“He likes to be around baseball, very good energy and a guy that’s had some opportunities in the past but never given the real reins to play,” Ross stated. “It’s been nice having him in camp and watching him perform.”
Tim Anderson has ‘lived up to every expectation’
Grifol had a message for Sox shortstop Tim Anderson as he left to take part within the WBC for Team USA.
“I told him I wish him the best and just come back healthy to us,” Grifol stated Tuesday.
Anderson is considered one of three Sox gamers on Team USA together with Lynn and reliever Kendall Graveman. The staff’s first sport is Saturday at Chase Field in Phoenix.
“He’s been really good here,” Grifol stated of Anderson. “He’s labored his butt off. He’s led. He’s led by instance. He’s led vocally. He’s all in relating to what we’re attempting to perform right here. And he advised me that within the winter, and he’s lived as much as each expectation in my thoughts to date.
“Now it’s time for him to go join that USA team and try to do what they want to accomplish. And then come back to us healthy.”
Up subsequent
- White Sox at Royals, 7:05 p.m.
- Cubs vs. Team Canada, 2:05 p.m., Marquee
What we’re studying this morning
Quotable
“You hope the work you put in the offseason and the work you put in the first month of camp here got you ready to go.” — Lance Lynn on enjoying within the World Baseball Classic
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Source: www.bostonherald.com