MESA, Ariz. — Every starter in the Cubs’ lineup reached base at least twice Wednesday, except pitcher Jon Lester and leadoff man Kyle Schwarber – who hit back-to-back homers during the Cubs’ seven-run fourth inning.
They both came up again in the inning – striking out back-to-back to end it.
The Cubs finished their Cactus League schedule 10-17-2 and broke camp to head to Las Vegas for a pair of exhibition games against the Mets.
Bring on the Angels
In his final tuneup before his scheduled season debut April 5 in Anaheim, left-hander Jon Lester pitched five dominant, scoreless innings against the Rockies. He struck out 10, including the first two he faced and three each in the third and fourth innings.
He allowed just one hit and a walk. A third runner reached on shortstop Addison Russell’s errant throw in the third, then stole second – the only semblance of base-running drama against Lester (who didn’t throw to a base or have a ball hit to him).
Friday Fowler Day?
Center fielder Dexter Fowler, who hasn’t played since leaving Sunday’s game early because of soreness in his left side, should return to the lineup Friday in Las Vegas, manager Joe Maddon said.
“You don’t really push it right now. Let him heal properly,” Maddon said. “He’s fine. There’s nothing debilitating.”
Warren firm
Right-hander Adam Warren, one of the Cubs’ four long-relief/spot-starter pitchers in the pen, pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Lester, allowing a two-out single in the sixth and one-out double in the seventh. He didn’t walk a batter.
Extra credit
David Ross, who had 10 extra-base hits all last season, doubled in his three at-bats Wednesday, giving him four consecutive at-bats with an extra-base hit (he homered Tuesday). He has five RBIs in those four ABs.
Broken record
The Cubs broke their own year-old MLB spring season attendance record by drawing 226,163 (15,078 average). The Cubs, who play in the largest-capacity spring stadium in baseball, drew 15,108 for Wednesday’s spring home finale.
On deck
Cubs vs. Mets in Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m., CSN, mlb.com audio, Ryan Williams vs. TBA.
