The Rundown: Errors Sink Cubs in Loss to Reds, Neil Ramirez and Mike Olt Appear in Extended Spring Training Game
The Cubs almost pulled off another ugly win yesterday, but ultimately ended up falling short at the hands of a nice catch by Reds outfielder Jay Bruce and an error by Kris Bryant late in the game.
Jason Hammel had a rough start but battled through five innings while giving up four runs (two earned) and seven hits. Hammel isn’t going to be perfect every time out, and yesterday he didn’t have his usual pinpoint command (he walked three).
Yet, the Cubs were inches away from winning. Starlin Castro tied the game in the 6th inning with a two-run homer. The score remained tied into the 9th, and with Chris Coghlan on second base with one outs, pinch hitter Jonathan Herrera hit what looked like it might be the game-winning hit. But Jay Bruce made a game-saving diving catch to keep the score knotted at 4-4.
Into the top of the 10th they went, and Bryant bobbled a ground ball and sailed the throw to first. A soft grounder through the right side and then a base hit past a drawn-in infield, and the Cubs were down a run. And that’s how it ended after Aroldis Chapman blew away the Cubs hitters in the 10th.
Cubs almost stole another game, but just didn’t play out that way. Here’s hoping they can take the next couple games easily. Some non-one-run affairs would be nice for once.
Injury updates
* Jorge Soler’s ankle is feeling better but he still isn’t performing baseball activities, tweets Carrie Muskat. He’s likely going to need a rehab assignment once he’s ready to get back on the field. Call me crazy, but I’m definitely more of a fan of the Cubs lineup when Soler is patrolling right field.
* Yesterday, 3B Mike Olt and RHP Neil Ramirez saw their first action since April, writes The Cub Reporter’s Arizona Phil. It was only an extended Spring Training game, but it’s still great news. Hopefully they will both progress to minor-league rehab assignments in the near future. It sounds like Olt is pleased to be on the way back:
Felt so good to be back on the field today!! Big things coming
— Mike Olt (@mike_olt) June 12, 2015