Giants' Pence Breaks Arm In Win Over Cubbies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Hunter Pence broke his left forearm and will be sidelined six to eight weeks after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of the San Francisco Giants' 8-6 win over a Chicago Cubs split-squad on Thursday.

One of the clubhouse leaders for the World Series champions, the quirky Pence has played in 383 straight games - the longest active streak in the majors - since the Giants traded for him in July 2012. He hit .277 with 20 homers and 74 RBIs last year.

He was hit by a pitch from the Cubs' Corey Black and went to first base before being removed from for a pinch runner.

"It didn't look good," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "You hate to see it but these things do happen. Guys work so hard to get ready."

X-rays showed Pence has a non-displaced fracture in his left forearm.

Ryan Vogelsong gave up a grand slam to Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs first pick of last June's draft. Jeremy Affeldt allowed a run in one inning as the Giants won their first in three exhibition games between the teams.

Jacob Turner threw two scoreless innings in his spring debut with the Cubs. He gave up a hit, walked two and struck out a batter.

Schwarber, taken fourth overall, connected in his first at-bat against a major league pitcher. He was hitting behind Kris Bryant, drafted in the first round in 2013.

Vogelsong pitched two innings. He threw a perfect first, but gave up hits to Jorge Soler and Wellington Castro and walked Byrant ahead of Schwarber, who drilled a 1-2 delivery over the right field fence.

STARTING TIME

Cubs: Turner, who came to the Cubs last August in a trade with the Miami Marlins, is in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation. He made a positive impression with his effort.

Giants: Vogelsong, also fighting for a spot in the starting rotation, said he felt good. "All my pitches are close to being where I want them," he said. "Now I have to work on the mental aspect. I lost my focus a little bit when I got into the stretch and got in a rush. I never slowed myself down."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: Matt Cain threw batting practice for the second time and could start an exhibition game in his next scheduled outing. . Tim Hudson threw to hitters for the first time and will do so again before a decision is made on when he will start a spring game.

BIRTHDAY BOY

On this day last year, Schwarber was leading off for the Indiana Hoosiers. He went 0 for 3 in a 2-1 victory over Xavier. He did a little better this year, on his 22nd birthday. "I was nervous the whole time out there; I don't know why," Schwarber said. "I guess it's a little different with the bases loaded and it being my first at-bat. I got the silent treatment a little bit but then they all came around for high-fives. It was cool."

Schwarber throws right-handed but bats left-handed. "It was something natural to me. Anything involving a swing I do left-handed," he said.

MINUS ONE UMPIRE

Home plate umpire Dale Scott left with a bruised arm after being hit by a pitch. For a time, Jim Joyce called balls and strikes from behind the pitcher's mound and Ron Kulpa was on the bases while Mark Ripperger readied himself to take over behind the plate. "It was a little screwy," Vogelsong said. "With no umpire it looks different. I don't think that's ever happened with me before. It's definitely a weird look in there."

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Jon Lester, Chicago's big offseason free-agent signing, will make his first exhibition start Friday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Giants: RHP Yusmeiro Petit starts for the Giants at the Texas Rangers on Friday.

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