Arrieta Sharp As Cubs Beat A's, 5-3
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jake Arrieta allowed an unearned run over four innings in his second start of the spring as the Chicago Cubs beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3 in the opener of a two-game exhibition series at Cashman Field.
Arrieta gave up four hits and struck out three. He allowed a run in the first inning, although an errant throw by Cubs shortstop Addison Russell put Craig Gentry, who had led off the game with a single, into scoring position. Gentry scored on a single by Max Muncy.
Muncy also hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth off Donn Roach and was 3 for 3 with three RBIs.
Cubs third baseman Tommy La Stella was 3 for 3 and scored a run as the Cubs won just their second game of the Cactus League season.
Arrieta said he relied on his cut fastball and curveball and stayed away from throwing a changeup.
"That was one of the points of emphasis going in," he said. "We wanted to establish the fastball, moving into righties especially. I threw some great breaking balls and stayed away from the changeup to focus primarily on the cutter and the curveball. And they were both good."
A's starter Drew Pomeranz struck out six and allowed one earned run in three innings.
The A's committed three errors that led to four unearned runs. First baseman Matt Olson made two miscues on one play in the third inning that helped the Cubs score two runs.
Olson's error came after Pomeranz loaded the bases in the third, giving up a single to La Stella, a walk to Russell and a single to Dexter Fowler.
Olson then muffed Anthony Rizzo's sharp grounder for one error then misfired on a throw to Pomeranz covering first for another, allowing La Stella and Russell to score.
"Things are going to happen," Pomeranz said. "I just have to take care of my job, which is to make pitches and get guys out no matter what goes on."
HOME, SWEET HOME
Cubs: Kris Bryant, the Cubs' top prospect, returned to his Las Vegas roots one day after hitting two homers in a game, although he went hitless in three at-bats and struck out once.
Bryant, who is hitting .389 this spring, said he left more than 20 tickets for family and friends.
"It's awesome coming home," he said. "I love being around my family. I got to go home and see my grandparents, and my cat that I love and miss so much. It's just cool to be here and get to play in front of these fans."
STARTING TIME
Athletics: Pomeranz, who was 4-3 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 starts last season, began throwing out of a stretch exclusively last season and said he intends to continue doing so to reduce the chance of mechanical errors.
"I had trouble staying on line out of the windup, so last year I switch to a stretch because it's easy to just pick your leg up, get the ball out and go," he said. "I had the best year of my career, so there's no reason to change."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada was scheduled to make his first start in a split-squad game against the Cleveland Indians but was pulled because of a groin injury.
Athletics: Infielder Ranger Ravelo had surgery to repair a tendon in his right wrist. The A's said Ravelo, who appeared in just one game this spring, won't return to baseball activities for six to eight weeks.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Right-hander Kyle Hendricks makes his first start of the spring, facing the A's in a split-squad game that concludes the two-game series.
Athletics: Right-hander Jesse Hahn, 0-1 with a 6.7 ERA, makes his second start and third appearance for Oakland.
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