Cubs 15, Diamondbacks 4: Hammel strong, Zo scratched, Baez sore

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs pounded 15 hits, including 12 for extra bases to beat the Diamondbacks in the Cactus League game Thursday night at Sloan Park.

Change is good

Starter Jason Hammel struck out six in four innings and allowed his first run of the spring.

But his strikeout of slugger Paul Goldschmidt with runners at the corners and none out in the first was key for Hammel, mostly because it came on a changeup he’s been working on for right-handers.

“I pulled it a little bit but sold it enough with the arm action, and the speed differential was good enough to get a swing,” he said. “So I can start adding that one to the arsenal.”

Zobrist nailed

Second baseman Ben Zobrist was scratched from Thursday’s lineup after an ingrown toenail worsened after playing Wednesday.

“I’ve had them. Those are nasty,” said Maddon, who anticipates sitting Zobrist for a few days.

Baez banged up

Javy Baez, the Cubs’ super-utility slugger, is expected to be sidelined at least a few days because of a jammed left thumb suffered Wednesday when he slid into first base in a game against the Royals.

“You’re always better running through first base. That’s what you try to encourage,” said Maddon, who characterized the injury as little more than soreness. “But those things happen.”

Extra credit

The extra-base barrage included three home runs (Jorge Soler, Kris Negron and John Andreoli) and three triples (Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber in the first and Jason Heyward in the fourth).

Andreoli leads the team with four homers this spring.

They didn’t have a single until getting all three in the eighth.

‘B’ hive

Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill, the projected right-handed long men in the Cubs’ bullpen, each pitched three innings in a morning ‘B’ game Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Warren struck out six and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. Cahill struck out five and gave up just two hits in a scoreless outing.

“They both threw really well,” catcher David Ross said. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

On deck

Cubs at White Sox, Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m., mlb.com audio, Kyle Hendricks vs. John Danks.