Cubs Hit 3 HRs In A Row Against Indians But Remain Winless
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The new-look Chicago Cubs are trying to build a team that soon will win a lot of games.
In the meantime, maybe just one victory would be nice.
Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant hit consecutive home runs for the Cubs and yet they still became the only winless team in the majors this spring, falling to the Cleveland Indians 10-6 Tuesday.
"If we started like this during the season, we'd probably start to press," starting pitcher Travis Wood said. "It's spring and these things will happen. It is better it happens now."
The Cubs, full of expectations this season under first-year manager Joe Maddon, dropped to 0-6. Milwaukee posted its first exhibition win earlier in the day.
Soler, Baez and Bryant connected in the fourth inning off Trevor Bauer. Baez got his first hit of the spring.
Baez was 0-for-9 before connecting.
Welington Castro singled after the three homers. Castro homered later in the day.
"We kind of made fun of him," Baez said. "He joined the club, though."
The Cubs made four errors.
Michael Bourn had three hits and Tyler Holt, celebrating his 26th birthday, drove in two runs for the Indians.
"Michael was everywhere," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He had a nice workout."
Wood gave up four runs, two of them earned, and seven hits in three innings.
Francona thought Bauer pitched better than the results showed.
"I thought he threw the ball well," Francona said. "He has been focusing on throwing strikes and working ahead in the count."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: RHP Jacob Turner may start the season on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He was a candidate for a spot in the rotation. ... Tsuyoshi Wada, also competing for a starting job, has been dealing with a sore right hamstring.
Indians: RHP Gavin Floyd will be sidelined for "the foreseeable future" after reinjuring his ailing elbow and may need surgery. No timetable has been set for his return. ... RHP Josh Tomlin will resume a throwing program on Wednesday. He missed an outing Sunday with right shoulder fatigue.
UP NEXT
Cubs: LHP Jon Lester will make his second start on Wednesday against Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar will make his second start against Oakland. RHP Cody Allen, RHP Cody Anderson, LHP Ryan Merritt, LHP Nick Hagadone, RHP Dustin Molleken and RHP Bryan Price will follow Salazar.
STARTING TIME
Cubs: Wood was the victim of some shoddy fielding. Along with the Cubs' four errors, a fly ball dropped between center fielder Arismendy Alcantara and left fielder Junior Lake.
"I threw the ball well. They got some singles and there were some misplays," Wood said. "It's spring and it's going to happen. Better now than during the season.
Indians: Bauer, who has a spot secured in the rotation, cruised through three innings before having three pitches crushed in the fourth.
"Hitters have some fun in spring, too," Bauer said. "The fourth was probably my best inning. The first three innings I was about 50-50 on first pitch strikes and that's my focus. I three all strikes in the fourth. The first was a pretty good sinker in. the second was a cutter that he went down and got. The third was a pitch up. I could pitch nine if I had to right now."
NO STEALS
Castillo threw out Bourn and Mike Aviles trying to steal.
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