Lester makes spring debut; Cubs tie Rangers in slugfest

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jon Lester pitched two innings in his first start of the spring, and the Cubs (3-5-3) pounded out 13 hits, including three home runs, in a 9-9 tie with the Rangers on Sunday. Lester pitched a 1-2-3 first inning but gave up three hits, including a double over the center fielder’s head, in a two-run second. “Just trying to get through it more than anything,” he said after the 36-pitch outing. “The first one’s always the hardest because it’s the first one. First time getting on the mound, getting back in the element of fans and the warmup and up-and-down and all that stuff.”

Pow!

Playing just his second game because of a tight hamstring that slowed him early in camp, infielder Tommy La Stella hit a solo home run in the first and a sacrifice fly in the second. Center fielder Albert Almora Jr., who doubled and scored in the third, slugged the Cubs’ second grand slam in as many days in the fifth (Kris Bryant hit one Saturday). One inning after that, catcher Willson Contreras hit a two-run shot.

Bam!

Veteran setup relievers Koji Uehara and Justin Grimm made their spring debuts, and each retired all three batters they faced, needing only 18 pitches combined. Grimm finished with back-to-back strikeouts.

Oof!

Closer Wade Davis didn’t make any highlight reels in his Cubs debut. Taking over for Lester in the third and facing the top of the order, he allowed a leadoff walk and three consecutive singles before punching out Rougned Odor for his only out.

Ouch!

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario, one of the more impressive prospects in camp, left the game after getting struck by a pitch on the left ankle. The team said he suffered only a bruise.

On deck

Cubs at Angels, Tempe, 2:10 p.m., cubs.com audio, Jake Arrieta vs. Jesse Chavez.