MESA, Ariz. – Blame it on an outdated Google Maps. Or an outdated Cubs’ pitcher’s memory.
Either way, Edwin Jackson made himself a punchline again Tuesday without even pitching when he drove the wrong way for his scheduled start against the Oakland Athletics, showed up late for his pregame work and had to be scratched from the start.
Jackson, who eventually took the mound to start the second inning, said he typed in “Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex” into Google Maps on his cell phone, and it directed him to Phoenix Municipal Stadium – where the A’s trained before this year.
“I know it’s crazy,” he said. “But that pretty much sums it up.”
Upon realizing his mistake, he turned around and eventually learned that the A’s had moved to HoHoKam Park – the same former Cubs’ spring ballpark Jackson drove to every day in March 2013.
“At the end of the day I guess it’s my fault for not looking to see where they’re at,” he said. “Crazy way to start a day.”
Not that his day got any better.
Jackson, who was having a good spring after two awful seasons with the Cubs, gave up eight runs on nine hits, including five doubles and a homer, and recording just five outs.
He said he hoped “to take whatever positives you can out of it.”
Positives?
“I didn’t walk anybody,” he said.
Jackson said getting lost and starting the game late had nothing to do with the performance.
“I was still ready to go,” he said.
