Chicago Sun-Times

CUBS5, ROCKIES 4

- — Gordon Wittenmyer

Leadingman looks

Ian Happ continued to rake from the leadoff spot, leading off the game with a double to left from the right side. He then hit a long home run to center from the left side in the fourth. That was the fourth homer of the spring for Happ, who’s 8- for- 17 (. 471) with six extra- base hits and awalk in six games— all from the leadoff spot. The Cubs’ other leadoff hitters are 1- for- 16 with no walks in their six games this spring.

Game of adjustment­s

After a smooth, fluid spring debut last week, starter Kyle

Hendricks said his mechanics were off Monday. “I was just quick, kind of pulling off everything,” said Hendricks, who gave up a one- out single to DJLeMahieu in the first, followed by a two- run homer to

Charlie Blackmon on a hanging changeup. “But I was able to make an adjustment, and the second inning felt much better, and the third inning felt the best. I guess at this point to be able to recognize that even and work on making that adjustment and do it, that’s a positive for me.” Hendricks struck out four, didn’t walk a batter and gave up only one other hit in three innings ( 48 pitches).

Outfield of dreams?

Maybe that’s an exaggerati­on. But Happ in center field and Kyle

Schwarber in left made back- toback diving catches to end the second— a sign that Kris Bryant may get little or no time in the outfield. “That’s probably true,” manager Joe Maddon said of third baseman Bryant, who got 19, 69 and nine games in the outfield in his first three seasons. There figures to be little need with Happ back for a full season, Schwarber looking fitter, Gold Glove winner JasonHeywa­rd in right, Gold Glove candidate Albert

AlmoraJr. likely increasing his time in center and versatile Ben Zobrist getting more outfield time.

On deck

Dodgers at Cubs, Mesa, Wilmer Font vs. Yu Darvish, 2: 05 p. m. Tuesday, cubs. com audio.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States