Altuve Triples Up Rockies Twice at Riverview

Brayan Altuve smacked two triples, scored a run, and drove one in, Frank Hernandez drilled two singles, scored two runs, and knocked-in another, Wally Soto ripped an RBI single, walked twice, and scored a run, and Ed Howard singled, walked, stole a base, and scored a run, as the Cubs rallied late to edge the Rockies 5-4 in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game played Tuesday morning on Field #6 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Francisco Garcia doubled and scored, singled, and walked twice, Dayan Jorge roped an RBI double, and Felix Tena contributed an RBI single for the Rockies (the Rocks had only five hits in the game). 

The game was pre-planned as an eight inning contest.   

Prior to the game, LHP Stephen Gonsalves, LHP Scott Kobos, and RHP Mathew Peters threw "live" BP on Field #5. Among the hitters were rehabbers Alexander Canario (who took Kobos deep over the LF fence), D. J. Artis, and Jose Escobar. As is the case with Jairo Diaz, Escobar is listed as a left-handed hitter at milb.com, but he is actually a switch-hitter.   

In EXST Cubs roster news, RHRP Daniel Palencia has completed his work in the Mesa Pitch Lab (he also pitched in three Cactus League Extended Spring Training games over the past eight days), and he has been assigned to AAA Iowa. (Keep in mind that Palencia is Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2023). 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):  

EXST CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Alexis Hernandez, 2B: 1-2 (K, 1B, 2 SB) 
1b. Geuri Lubo, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, L-4)
2. Jefferson Rojas, SS: 0-4 (5-3, K, K, 1-3)
3. Ed Howard, DH: 1-3 (K, BB, K, 1B, R, SB)
4a. Anderson Suriel, LF: 0-2 (L-5, F-7) 
4b. Frank Hernandez, LF; 2-2 (1B, 1B, 2 R, RBI)
5a. Christopher Paciolla, 3B: 1-2 (1B, K)
5b. Christian Olivo, 3B: 0-1 (E-5, BB, SB)
6a. Jairo Diaz, C: 0-2 (K, L-6)
6b. Adan Sanchez, C: 0-0 (F-8 SF, HBP, RBI)
7. Wally Soto, 1B: 1-2 (K, BB, BB, 1B, R, RBI)
8. Brayan Altuve, RF-CF: 2-3 (3B, 3B, L-6, R, RBI)
9a. Ke'Shun Colier, CF: 0-1 (4-3, RBI)
9b. Ismael Mena, RF: 0-2 (6-3, F-9) 

EXST CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Mason McGwire: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 4 WP, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 61 pitches (31 strikes) 
2. Wilme Mora: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 1 BALK, 2/1 GO/AO, 45 pitches (20 strikes) 
3. Zac Leigh: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 20 pitches (11 strikes) 
4. Wilber Rodriguez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 29 pitches (14 strikes) 
5. Kenyi Perez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 12 pitches (6 strikes) 

EXST CUBS ERRORS: 1 
2B Geuri Lubo: E-4 (missed catch on SB allowed runner to advance from 2nd to 3rd)

EXST CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Jairo Diaz: 2 PB 
2. Adan Sanchez: 0-1 CS, 1 PB 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the upper 90's 

ATTENDANCE: 10 

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