Important step for Anderson in Cubs spring debut

MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs found a formidable foe in former Cubs manager Rick Renteria’s White Sox (and assorted traveling minor-leaguers), playing them to a 4-4 tie Monday at Sloan Park in Renteria’s first game managing against his old club.

After Cubs infield prospect Chesny Young gave the Cubs the lead in the seventh with a two-out, two-run single, the Sox tied it in the eighth on a one-out grounder to second by Willy Garcia that scored Peter Bourjos from third. It was the Cubs’ second tie in as many days (1-1 against the Indians on Sunday).

For starters

Brett Anderson, who’s penciled in as basically half of a fifth-starter tandem with Mike Montgomery in the team’s “hybrid” rotation plans, made his Cubs debut with a scoreless first inning. He pitched around a leadoff single by Tim Anderson, getting Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu on grounders before striking out Matt Davidson.

“The biggest thing for me is just feeling good and healthy going forward, and everything else will take care of itself,” said Anderson, who has spent much of his career on the disabled list with various ailing body parts, most recently involving back surgery last year. “Getting into a game and getting through it, at this point, that’s all I can ask for. Stuff was OK. Got some ground balls, which I’m accustomed to doing, and got a strikeout. For the first outing, I’ll take it.”

Power surge

Addison Russell led off the second with a long homer to left field off touted Sox prospect Lucas Giolito.

On deck

Angels at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m., cubs.com audio, Manny Banuelos vs. Alex Mills.