Saturday’s result: Cubs 11, Angels 2
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com February 23, 2013 6:03PM
Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum watches a spring training baseball workout, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Updated: March 25, 2013 6:59AM
CUBS 11, ANGELS 2
THIRD WATCH: On the day the Cubs said third baseman Ian Stewart (quad) won’t play for more than two weeks and will need a “cram session” to win a big-league job, the new front-runner for the starting job at that spot — Dale Sveum-favorite Luis Valbuena — homered in his first at-bat.
WOOD WORK: Starting pitcher Travis Wood (1-0) gave up a walk and double to the first two batters he faced but retired the next six to finish his two innings. “I like it where I’m at,’’ said Wood, who’s one of seven in camp for five rotation spots. “There’s still other guys, and everybody’s competing for the same spot. It’s going to be fun throughout the rest of camp.’’
HIT MAN: Outfield prospect Brett Jackson tripled in both trips to the plate, giving him hits in five consecutive at-bats, including Friday’s intrasquad game. But the hardest hit might have been the shot he took just to the left of his protective cup after leading off the third with his second triple. The next batter, Brent Lillibridge, drilled him in the thigh with a foul ball. Jackson, who struck out more than anyone in professional baseball not named Adam Dunn last year, hasn’t struck out in seven at-bats so far.
ON DECK: Jeff Samardzija starts as the Cubs host Matt Cain and the World Series-champion San Francisco Giants in their spring home opener Sunday, 2:05 p.m., at HoHoKam Park.
Gordon Wittenmyer
