Spring-training recap: Athletics 4, Cubs 3; Rangers 12, Cubs 7
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suuntimes.com March 17, 2012 11:44PM
Jeff Samardzija
Updated: April 19, 2012 8:44AM
ATHLETICS 4, CUBS 3
RANGERS 12, CUBS 7
For the record
A two-out fielding error by third-base prospect Josh Vitters on a routine grounder by Manny Ramirez led to three unearned runs in the first inning of the loss to the A’s. Against the Rangers in Las Vegas, bullpen candidate Trever Miller and prospect Casey Weathers gave up eight runs combined in the eighth and ninth.
Soto watch
Catcher Geovany Soto, who missed the first few games with a minor groin injury, doubled his hits total for the spring with a 2-for-2 day that included his first home run. He also walked. Soto is 4-for-12 overall with a walk and three strikeouts.
Position watch
Jeff Samardzija hit 97 mph with his fastball during another impressive outing. He retired the first nine Rangers before allowing a run in his fourth and final inning. American League MVP Josh Hamilton drove in the run with a ground-ball single. One at-bat earlier, Hamilton looked overmatched by Samardzija on a strikeout.
On deck
Split squad: White Sox (4-10) at Cubs (6-10), 3:05 p.m., cubs.com. Andy Sonnanstine is scheduled to pitch. Cubs vs. Rangers (4-10) in Las Vegas, 3:05 p.m. Chris Volstad, Manny Corpas, Rafael Dolis, Blake Parker and Lendy Castillo are scheduled to pitch.
Gordon Wittenmyer
