Jorge Soler connected on his first home run of the Instructional League as the Cubs beat up the Giants 8-3 yesterday afternoon. Pierce Johnson was outstanding on the mound for the Cubs going 2.2 innings allowing no runs on only one hit, he walked two and struck out one in his instructs debut. Ryan McNeil also got a chance to pitch yesterday afternoon, he struggled with command but had a decent outing. McNeil went 1.1 innings giving up one run on one hit while walking two and striking out one.
As I mentioned already, Jorge Soler launched a solo shot in the victory, he finished the day 1-for-2 with a walk, RBI, and two runs scored. Chadd Krist also got a hold of one in the victory, he was 1-for-2 with a home run, and an RBI. Trevor Gretzky also had a big day at the plate going 2-for-2 with two singles, and two RBI’s. The instructional league is just that, a league for instruction and it’s pretty clear that the Cubs are buying what the Cubs brass is trying to teach. Over the first three games in Arizona the Cubs have drawn 20 walks, 20! That is outstanding, and something worth noting as that is exactly what the Cubs front office wants to see, young prospects working counts and taking their walks.
Notables:
Marco Hernandez; 2-for-2, double, RBI, SB
Shawon Dunston Jr.; 1-for-2, RBI, SB
Ben Carhart; 1-for-2, double, RBI
Please visit The Cub Reporter for a full box score and recap of Monday’s game.
Thanks for reading,
– George