March 22--Cubs 12, Mariners 10
Spring record: 9-10-1
The summary: Before a sellout crowd at Sloan Park, Kris Bryant gave the fans their money's worth by hitting two home runs. Bryant hit a two-run home run in the first inning off former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, and then he followed by ripping a curve for a three-run home run off journeyman Kevin Correia. Bryant also drew a walk in the third.
At the plate: Second baseman Javier Baez batted in the leadoff spot in an effort to get him out of a 3-for-30 rut and hit Hernandez's second pitch for a single to left field. Addison Russell, replacing injured shortstop Starlin Castro, hit a two-run home run in the third.
On the mound: Left-hander Eric Jokisch, starting in place of left-handed ace Jon Lester, allowed a game-tying home run to Nelson Cruz in the third.
In the field: Bryant showed no lingering effects of right shoulder fatigue by making strong throws after handling four grounders flawlessly. However, center fielder Dexter Fowler lost a ball in the sun, and right fielder Jorge Soler botched a line drive that accounted for three unearned runs in the third.
Key number: 28 -- home runs hit by the Cubs this spring.
The quote: Bryant: "I didn't know what (Hernandez) had, but as you establish patterns, you try to get into the swing of things and you know how they're going to pitch you."
vs: San Diego, 3:05 p.m., Sunday at Sloan Park: RH Jason Hammel vs. RH James Shields.
-- Mark Gonzales
