CUBS 6, INDIANS 2
For the record
Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 2.76 spring ERA) surrendered a double, a single and a walk to the first three batters he faced, leading to a pair of first-inning runs. He didn’t allow another run in his 41/3-inning final audition for a starter/long-relief role. The Cubs became the first team to score against Indians starter Jeanmar Gomez this spring. He’d pitched 12 scoreless innings until then.
Position watch
Joe Mather doubled twice to left, made a great catch in center field and took the rest of the day off. If he hadn’t already clinched the final bench spot, he did it Sunday. He’s 19-for-44 (.432) with three walks and eight extra-base hits, including three homers.
First watch
After going 8-for-his-first-40 (.200) in camp, first baseman Bryan LaHair is 5-for-6 with two doubles since touted first-base prospect Anthony Rizzo was optioned to Class AAA Iowa. He was 2-for-3 Sunday with a two-out RBI single in the third.
On deck
Split-squad vs. San Diego (at HoHoKam Park), Cubs.com, and at Arizona (Scottsdale), both 3:05 p.m. Scheduled to pitch: Paul Maholm, Carlos Marmol, Rafael Dolis at home; Jay Jackson, Esmailin Caridad, Scott Maine in Scottsdale.
Gordon Wittenmyer
