Split Squads, Split Scores

I’ve been giving my posts some thought today and it seems silly for me to describe the game in blow-by-blow fashion. There are far better places to gain descriptions of the action, and by people who were truly able to see the game!

That said, this was the first split squad day where the Cubs played two games, facing San Diego at the Ho-Ho-Kam park in Mesa and the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona. The northsiders won at home and dropped the game in Texas.

Lots of young players you likely have not heard of play in the split squad games. Names like Val Pascucci and Matt Camp appear in the box score. Unearned runs were the name of the game with Texas. The Cubs allowed seven unearned runs while dropping the game 11-9. Neal Cotts allowed four of the unearned runs, helping his ERA, but not necessarily making anyone smile.

Rich Hill continues to cement his position in the starting rotation by striking out three during three innings and allowing a single run on four hits and the Cubs knocked off the Padres for the second day in a row, 10 to 8. On the flip side, non-roster John Webb cemented his return to Iowa giving up three runs on four hits in just one third of an inning.

The word is that between ten and fifteen will be cut after the game on Sunday. Add Webb to the list of six or seven I offered in my last post.

Buck Coats, Tomas Perez and Felix Pie seem to be doing everything they can to make the club. Coats and Perez each had three hits as did non-roster Tyler Colvin and Cedeno.

The hitting star today was Aramis Ramirez who drove in four runs with a double and a home run. Matt Murton also homered as did non-roster Koyie Hill and Colvin.

Looking back, it was a pretty good day in Arizona. The picture will look clearer regarding what to expect this April come Sunday. The Cubs take on the Brewers tomorrow as players vie to impress one more time.