The Cubs went through their first eight Spring Training games this year without losing, six wins and two ties. And for a time Friday afternoon, it looked like that undefeated streak would end as the Cubs fell behind 8-2 after six, largely courtesy of Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka, who homered twice and drove in six of the Rangers’ eight runs.
But the Cub subs rallied in the last three innings and so the team posted its third consecutive tie game. 8-8 with the Rangers at Surprise.
Here’s how it all went down.
Justin Steele was breezing along until two out in the second inning, when a single followed by a homer by Kyle Higashioka made it 2-0 Texas. That was Steele’s only glitch in a three-inning outing. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out two. He should get two more starts before the Cubs head to Japan, where he’ll start the second game against the Dodgers.
Here are a few quick comments from Steele after his outing:
In the top of the fourth, Travis Jankowski challenged a pitch that would have been called strike three on a 2-2 count, and instead the count ran full. Instead, Jankowski sneaked a single to left.
That was an excellent challenge, because if Jankowski had struck out, it would have ended the inning. Instead, Jankowski’s single was followed by a tremendous two-run homer by Gage Workman, his second of the spring, to tie the game 2-2.
That ball went a long, long way:
That ball cleared the berm at Surprise Stadium, probably 430 feet from home plate.
Tyson Miller replaced Steele in the fourth inning. The Rangers loaded the bases on two singles and a walk and took a 3-2 lead on a sac fly by Higashioka.
Gavin Hollowell threw the fifth inning, his first appearance of the spring. The first batter he faced this year, Leody Taveras, homered to make it 4-2. Hollowell did recover to strike out a pair, including former Cub Joc Pederson. A numbers game probably keeps him out of the Opening Day bullpen, especially because he still has options remaining.
Non-roster invitee Phil Bickford entered to throw the sixth. Today was Higashioka’s day, as after a single and walk, the Rangers catcher smashed a three-run homer to make the score 7-2. They wound up plating another run after Bickford left the game and it was 8-2 after 6. Bickford was a longshot to make this bullpen and will probably wind up being released.
Former Cub Jesse Chavez got pounded by some Cubs minor leaguers. Parker Chavers hit an RBI single in the seventh and later in the inning Haydn McGeary smashed a three-run homer to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Fun fact about Chavez: In his rookie year with the Pirates in 2008, one of his teammates was Matt Morris, who made his MLB debut in 1997.
Former Cub Shawn Armstrong (well, he was a Cub for eight games last September, anyway) threw the ninth for the Rangers and the Cubs tied the game up. Moises Ballesteros singled and advanced to second on an infield out. Ballesteros then scored on a throwing error, and one out later Jordan Nwogu singled in the tying run.
And that’s where everything ended.
Saturday, the Cubs will have their only split-squad date of Spring Training 2025.
At 2:05 p.m. CT, they’ll take on the Guardians at Sloan Park. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs. and Joey Cantillo will start for the Guardians. This game will be on Marquee Sports Network and there will also be a radio broadcast on 670 The Score.
At 7:05 p.m. CT, they’ll face the Royals at Surprise. In that game, Ben Brown will start for the Cubs and Cole Ragans will get the call for the Royals. There’s no TV for the Saturday night game. There will be a radio broadcast via the Royals radio network.
