Guardians top Cubs 12-4 Earning First 2023 Cactus League Victory

Photo by Charles Murray

Mesa, AZ- The Guardians faced the Cubs Monday afternoon at Sloan Park. The two teams combined for 16 runs, 21 hits, 5 errors and 18 pitchers used.

Shane Bieber was on the hill for the Guardians. Cleveland’s ace pitched two hitless frames in his first outing this spring training. Konnor Pilkington came in for relief holding the Cubs batters scoreless through the 4^th and 5^th innings to record the win.

Bieber had this to say about the pitch timer after the game,

“I was talking to the home plate umpire, Jordan Baker, it was his first action today as well and we’re joking around saying we’re figuring it out together. They don’t want to have to hit anyone with a violation…they’re trying to do their best to communicate before hand. That’s what we were talking about, going through the subtilties of the rules and the arrangements. It was no big deal”

Newly acquired catcher, Mike Zunino, received praise from Bieber:

“He’s great… he’s definitely what they call a ‘pitcher’s catcher’. I had a thought once I get the ball back and you’re obviously thinking what pitch you think would sequence best after what you just threw… of the times I was thinking that and had a clear cut decision it was the first one he called so we’re pretty dialed in and we’ll continue to communicate and develop a better relationship.”

 

Going, going, gone…

Cleveland centerfielder Roman Quinn hit two home runs in the outing. This gives Quinn three homers in just five Cactus League plate appearances. He’s now 3-5 with 6 RBI in the two games he’s played.

"Like I said … We hungry."

Roman Quinn has 3 homers in 5 at bats this spring. 👀#CLESpring pic.twitter.com/sCUnrfV4lw

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) February 27, 2023

 

Key notes

Shortstop Gabriel Arias and catcher Meibrys Viloria also had multi-hit outings – Arias (2-for-3, RBI-single) and Viloria (2-for-3, 2B)

1B Micah Pries hit an RBI-triple in the 6th

Guardians vs Cubs game time ran just 2 hours and 46 minutes

Up next

On Tuesday, the Guardians will play a pair of split-squad contests, hosting Kansas City at Goodyear Ballpark while sending a second contingency to the Peoria Sports Complex to take on Seattle. Bally Sports Great Lakes and CLEGuardians.com will broadcast the 3:05pm EST home game, with Triston McKenzie taking the mound opposite the Royals. Logan Allen will start against the Mariners in the 3:10pm EST road affair.