Randy Wells pitches 3 scoreless innings in Cubs' 10-2 loss to the Brewers; 80 degrees in Mesa and Chicago!

The Cubs lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 10-2 today.  Randy Wells continued his case for winning a starting rotation spot by pitching three scoreless innings and only allowing two hits today, after pitching 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the White Sox last Friday.  "I was really pleased today," Wells said. "I didn't throw a whole lot of breaking stuff and really worked on my fastball command and sinker. When I did get guys on, I was able to get the ground ball. That's the one thing I'm taking away from today."

Randy Wells has pitched five scoreless innings so far this spring (photo by John Antonoff for Boys of Spring)

Unfortunately, things changed for the Cubs when Travis Wood came into the game in relief in the 4th inning and gave up six runs while retiring one batter while pitching only 1/3 of an inning.  "What happened today was unacceptable," Wood said. "It can't happen. . .It's time to get it going."  A complete recap of today's game can be found on cubs.com.

A crowd of 11,682 (the largest of the spring so far) was at HoHoKam Park to watch the game today in the 80-degree weather in Mesa.  It was also 80 degrees in Chicago today, which definitely means that Opening Day in 22 days won't be as nice!

The Cubs and Rodrigo Lopez will face the Rockies at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale tomorrow, while Ryan Dempster will start against the Diamondbacks at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.  You can listen to the game in Mesa on cubs.com at 3:05pm.

Cubs get a "W" over the Brewers, 6-1

The Cubs get second "W" in a row when they beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-1 in Maryvale today.  Ryan Dempster's first pitch to former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez almost beaned him in the head.  I wonder what message Demps was trying to send to Ramirez, unless the ball just 'slipped' out of his hand?  Dempster went on to throw three scoreless innings.  Here is link to a recap of the game from cubs.com. 

Former Cub Aramis Ramirez before today's game against the Cubs (photo from Paul Sullivan)

Cubs Pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee and Catcher Micah Gibbs were assigned to minor league camp today. The roster currently stands at 57 players.

The Cubs will play the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow at 2:05 at Camelback Ranch, where Matt Garza will square off against former Cub Ted Lilly.  You can watch the game on WGN-TV or catch the webcast on cubs.com.

Only 26 more days until Opening Day!