Cubs' Late Rally Falls Short Against Padres: A Detailed Game Recap

The Chicago Cubs faced off against the San Diego Padres in a closely contested preseason game at Sloan Park, ending with the Cubs at an 11-6 record for the season after a 1-5 defeat. The Padres improved their record to 11-16, showcasing resilience and strategic play that led them to victory.

Cubs' Struggle at the Plate

Throughout the game, the Cubs struggled to find their rhythm offensively, managing only three hits and one run across nine innings. Despite having multiple opportunities, including four at-bats with runners in scoring position, they failed to capitalize, hitting .000 in these crucial moments. The team's overall batting average stood at a mere .100, highlighting a challenging day at the plate. Haydn McGeary and Moises Ballesteros were among the few bright spots for the Cubs, each securing a hit and maintaining an on-base percentage of .333. Ballesteros also contributed significantly by scoring the team's only run.

On defense and pitching fronts, starter Cade Horton delivered two scoreless innings with an ERA of 0.0 but allowed an on-base percentage of .333 against him. The bullpen had mixed results; while Luke Little pitched impressively with no earned runs and a WHIP of 2.25 over his appearance, Phil Bickford struggled with an ERA of 9.0 and Brad Keller suffered a loss after yielding five earned runs.

Padres' Offensive Surge

The San Diego Padres demonstrated effective batting throughout their lineup with eleven hits leading to five runs scored over nine innings. Their performance was bolstered by two home runs that played a critical role in establishing their lead early on in the game.

Looking Ahead

Fans can look forward to more action as the Chicago Cubs are set to host Colorado Rockies at Sloan Park on March 22nd at 4:05 PM EDT. This upcoming game promises excitement as both teams prepare for another showdown this preseason. Fans can catch all live action broadcasted on MARQ network.

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