CUBS 5, PADRES 4
Blue Steele
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele kicked off his springtraining bid for a spot in the rotation by pitching two scoreless innings. Steele said the Cubs had set his pitch limit at about 30 to 35, but he was efficient enough — walking one batter — to get through two innings with 22 pitches.
“I’m a lot more confident with all the experience and all that I learned from last year, being in the big leagues for a majority of the year,” Steele said. “I was learning very fast, learning every day that I was up there.”
The Cubs have not solidified their rotation, but they’re building Steele up as a starter. And he’s open to whatever role they put him in.
Oppo taco
Cubs top prospect Brennen Davis headlined the offense, launching a three-run homer over the right-field fence in the fourth inning. Davis got a head start on spring training. The non-roster invitee has been getting live at-bats at the Sloan Park complex since prospect minicamp, when big-leaguers were still locked out.
Go long
All of the Cubs’ runs Saturday were courtesy of the long ball. In addition to Davis’ three-run homer, Alfonso Rivas and Jared Young hit solo shots. Young, a minor-leaguer, went 2-for-2 with a home run and a double.
On deck
Cubs at Dodgers, Glendale, 3:05 p.m. Sunday, MLB, 670-AM, Alec Mills vs. Robbie Erlin.