March 17--Closer Hector Rondon was tagged for five runs on seven hits in the eighth inning as the Royals humbled the visiting Cubs 10-0 Thursday. Rondon has been tagged for nine runs on 13 hits in four appearances this spring.
At the plate
Hitting in the clutch will remain a point of emphasis for the Cubs, especially after Jorge Soler took a called third strike and Javier Baez struck out back-to-back with the bases loaded to end the fourth.
On the mound
John Lackey felt strong enough to throw five innings in a 66-pitch effort. Lackey froze Lorenzo Cain on an inside fastball for a called third strike in the first.
In the field
Soler looked more comfortable in left field, but he and Baez converged too close to the wall in left-center on a drive past Alcides Escobar that caromed for a triple with two out in the third.
Key number
11: Spring games in which the Cubs have scored three runs or fewer.
The quote
"Joe (Maddon) runs a laid-back clubhouse but is business like on the field. It's a great mix. If you can't play for him, you can't play for anybody." -- Lackey
Up next
Vs. Diamondbacks, 6:05 p.m. Thursday at Sloan Park. RH Jason Hammel vs. RH Archie Bradley
