Cubs score early, hold on to top Athletics 7-5 in Cactus League play

MESA, Ariz. — A pair of home runs leading off the ninth against Luke Farrell made it close, but Farrell struck out the next two batters and the Cubs held on for a 7-5 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday at Sloan Park. The Cubs improved to 4-1-1.

Start him up

Kyle Hendricks struck out three in two innings in his first spring start Wednesday, just a few hours after manager Joe Maddon announced he would start the second game of the season. After a two-out error in the first inning, Hendricks gave up a home run to Khris Davis on a 3-2 fastball. “I wasn’t going to put him on [with a walk],” Hendricks said. The right-hander retired the next four batters, including three consecutive strikeouts. “I don’t know what the [velocity] was, but it felt crisp coming out of my hand,” he said.

Justin case to be made

Justin Wilson, who struggled mightily with command after being acquired in a trade-deadline deal last year, appears to have rediscovered the mechanics that made him a successful setup man and closer for the Tigers — and maybe his command, as well. In his first inning this spring, Wilson pitched a 1-2-3 third, including a strikeout of Matt Joyce to end it.

Bryant close

Third baseman Kris Bryant, who has missed the last three games because of flu-like symptoms, had a light practice and still could be a couple of days from returning. “He still was a little washed out, but he’s feeling better,” Maddon said. “He just needs to eat to get his strength level back up. I asked him, ‘Please don’t rush it.’ ”

Gimenez cricket!

Backup catcher Chris Gimenez opened the Cubs’ scoring with a two-out, bases-loaded single up the middle in the first, then singled sharply through a glove matador wave by the third baseman for two more runs in the third. He got thrown out trying to take second on the play.

On deck

Rockies at Cubs, Mesa, German Marquez vs. Yu Darvish, 2:05 p.m. Thursday, cubs.com audio.