McCullough, Birdsell, and Scalzo Dominate at Riverview

Cubd 2022 10th round draft pick Brody McCullough, Cubs 2022 5th round draft pick Brandon Birdsell, and Myrtle Beach closer Frankie Scalzo Jr combined to hurl five innings of no run / no hit ball with nine strikeouts, and Parker Chavers walked, stole a base, and drilled an RBI single to account for the lone run in the game, as the Cubs "Blue Squad" blanked the Cubs "Red Squad" 1-0 in AZ Instructional League intrasquad game action Saturday morning on Field # 1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

The game was pre-planned as a five inning affair. 
Only three pitchers were scheduled to throw in Saturday's game and they only threw five half-innings between them, so the other five frames were covered by Cubs Minor League Catching Coordinator Mark Johnson and Minor League Hitting Coordinator Dustin Kelly throwing what was essentially BP. However, the home plate umpire was calling balls & strikes right up to the end, and the game was played out through five innings like a regular game. The two coaches throwing off the mound was a lot like a position player pitching in a blow-out or in extra innings. 

Here is the box score from the game 

NOTE: AB outcomes versus coaches are highlighted and underlined in purple, and yes, Brayan Altuve really did strike out swinging twice (on just seven pitches!) hitting against a coach.    

CUBS "RED SQUAD" LINEUP:
1. Reggie Preciado, 3B: 1-2 (K, 2B)
2. Cristian Hernandez, SS: 0-2 (K, 5-3)
3. Andy Garriola, RF: 0-2 (3-U, 5-3)
4. Ethan Hearn, DH: 0-2 (4-3, 4-3)
5. Alexis Hernandez, 2B: 0-2 (K, F-8)
6. Raino Coran, LF: 1-2 (K, 1B)
7. David Avitia, C: 0-2 (K, 5-4-3 DP)
8. Miguel Pabon, 1B: 0-1 (K)
9. Ke'Shun Collier, CF: 0-1 (F-8)

CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" LINEUP: 
1. Ismael Mena, CF: 1-2 (BB, L-7, 1B)
2. Jefferson Rojas, 2B: 0-3 (6-4-3 DP, P-3, 6-3)
3. Christopher Paciolla, SS: 1-2 (K, 1B, R)
4. Rafael Morel, 3B: 1-2 (K, 1B)
5. Parker Chavers, DH: 1-1 (BB, 1B, RBI, SB)
6. Anderson Suriel, 1B: 0-2 (K, 6-4-3 DP)
7. Haydn McGeary, C: 1-2 (5-3, 1B)
8. Josefrailin Alcantara, RF: 0-2 (3-U, K)
9. Brayan Altuve, LF: 0-2 (K, K)

CUBS "RED SQUAD" PITCHERS: 
1. Brandon Birdsell: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 2/0 GO/AO, 30 pitches (16 strikes) 
2. Mark Johnson: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/AO, 25 pitches (20 strikes)

CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" PITCHES: 
1. Brody McCullough: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 20 pitches (16 strikes) 
2. Frankie Scalzo Jr: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 11 pitches (8 strikes)  
3. Dustin Kelly: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 4/1 GO/AO, 13 pitches (11 strikes) 

CUBS "RED SQUAD" ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS "BLUE SQUAD" ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS "RED SQUAD" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
David Avitia: 0-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 3 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"