March 05--Eight pitchers scattered five hits and allowed only one walk in the Cubs' 3-0 victory Friday over the Angels before a Cactus League-record crowd of 15,446 at Sloan Park.
At the plate: Addison Russell displayed his added strength by ripping a two-run home run over the bullpen in left field off Jose Alvarez in the fourth.
On the mound: Pierce Johnson, who is ticketed for Triple-A Iowa, worked out of a jam after allowing two hits to start the game. Johnson retired Mike Trout on a deep fly to center, struck out C.J. Cron and retired Andrelton Simmons on a grounder to third.
In the field: Catcher David Ross, who turns 39 on March 19, showed no signs of slowing by making a diving catch of a foul pop near the on-deck circle and throwing to second to nail Cliff Pennington and complete a double play in the fourth.
Key number: 66. Speed of Jered Weaver's pitch that struck out Jason Heyward in the first.
The quote: "I want to believe our checks and balances are in place, meaning the veteran group is able to call a younger player out if he feels it's getting away from him." -- Joe Maddon
Up next: Vs. Reds, 2:05 p.m. Saturday at Sloan Park. RH Trevor Cahill vs. LH Brandon Finnegan.
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