Addison Russell (back) expects to play Thursday, be ready Sunday

Shortstop Addison Russell (back soreness) moved his targeted return back another day. But he said his back feels “about 100 percent.”

Neither manager Joe Maddon nor Russell said it’s critical for him to play both of the remaining exhibition games to prove he’s ready for the opener Sunday night.

“I’d love to get him in two games if he’s up to it, and if he can, he will,” Maddon said.

Schwarbombing

Leadoff man Kyle Schwarber led off the first inning with a homer to straightaway right field. In the fourth, he drove a two-run shot down the right-field line, well past the bullpen.

Lackey pitches, drinks beer

John Lackey allowed seven earned runs in 3⅔ innings, then noted his good health and had a postgame beer.

“I feel like I was ready a week ago,” he said. “Today I was just throwing some pitches and getting out of here healthy.”

Power streaks

When catcher Willson Contreras launched a homer to right field in the third, it marked his third home run in four at-bats.

Center fielder Albert Almora Jr.’s grand slam in the first was his third home run in as many games.

For the record

With another 15,000-plus crowd, the Cubs broke their own major-league single-season spring attendance records for total (226,933) and average (15,129).

They also drew another 24,966 at Sloan Park for a pair of exhibitions against WBC teams Italy and Japan.

On deck

Cubs at Astros, 7:10 p.m. Thursday, Brett Anderson vs. Lance McCullers Jr., Ch. 9; Cubs at Astros 1:10 p.m. Friday, Kyle Hendricks vs. Joe Musgrove, CSN.

— Gordon Wittenmyer

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