SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two Cub errors, four wild pitches by a Cub reliever in one inning and 12 hits by the Diamondbacks added up to an 8-3 loss for the Cubs in a sloppy game at Salt River Fields in north Scottsdale — their third loss in four games so far this spring
Highlights and notes:
Warren peace of mind
After three loud hits and a pair of runs in his first inning of work, Cubs newcomer Adam Warren settled down for a 1-2-3 second to finish off his Cub debut.
“I think I was more anxious to get out there than I normally would,” he said of the first. “First spring game, new organization, and you want to prove yourself a little bit. Just to get that first inning out of the way was really nice, and it was really encouraging to go out in the second and pitch like I wanted to.”
Who needs spring training?
After signing late and joining camp in progress, switch-hitter Dexter Fowler seems to have gotten quickly up to speed at the plate, including a left-handed, 422-foot drive over the wall in right-center for a brief 3-2 Cubs lead.
“My timing’s coming around on the left side pretty quick,” said Fowler, who struggled from that side much of the first half last year. “Right hand is still a work in progress. All in all I feel good; I’m seeing the ball at the plate. that’s the most important thing.”
Wild thing
Rex Brothers failed to get through his scheduled inning of work in the Diamondbacks’ two-run fourth after control problems (and an error by Tommy La Stella) extended the inning. At one point he threw four wild pitches in the span of two batters.
The lefty reliever’s career high for a season is five (Kyle Hendricks had three wild pitches last year).
Injury report
Minor-league right-hander Frank Batista, pitching the fifth, “tweaked” his left quad going after a grounder past the mound and left the game. He had been invited to join the big-league club for the day.
On deck
Ssplit squad doubleheader: Royals at Cubs, 2:05 p.m., mlb.com audio, Kris Medlen vs. Jason Hammel; and Cubs at Rockies, 2:10 p.m., Aaron Brooks vs. Jonathan Gray.
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