Now that we have all had a chance to express our giddiness with the arrival of Spring Training, let’s attempt to bear down and analyze some of these games that are happening. Note from the Author: That was a joke, if Spring Training doesn’t make you giddy, whether it’s your 5th or your 50th, find a new game.
Angels 6 Brewers 5
The Headline: Obviously, the headline here is Shohei Ohtani‘s pitching debut. It really didn’t go as many expected. It seemes Ohtani had issues commanding his pitches, although the splitter looked awfully good at times. Keon Broxton also took him yard. The Angels ended up winning in walk off fashion.
Notable Hitter: Jonathan Villar led off the game with a double and also drove in a run on a single later in the game.
Notable Pitcher: Jake Jewell tossed a perfect inning for the Angels where he struck out the side.
Indians 11 Diamondbacks 2
The Headline: The Indians erupted for eight runs in the final two innings, including a six run ninth highlighted by three homers. Four Indians went deep in this one.
Notable Hitter: Tyler Naquin hit a two run homer and logged a double to round out a nice day at the plate.
Notable Pitcher: Nick Goody struck out two and allowed one hit over his solid inning.
Twins 1 Orioles 1
The Headline: Adalberto Mejia allowed two hits and issued one walk in his start today, but the 24 year old left hander tossed two solid innings in his attempt to make a case for a spot in the Twins rotation.
Notable Hitter: Brock Stassi and Manny Machado were the only two players to collect multiple hits on the day. Stassi had two singles and Machado had a double and a single.
Notable Pitcher: Alec Asher tossed two innings and only allowed one hit while striking out four.
White Sox 5 Mariners 3
The Headline: The White Sox came from behind in this one. After trailing 3-2 heading into the eighth, they scored three runs in the final two frames to take the win.
Notable Hitter: 2017 draft pick Jake Burger went 1/2 on the day with a triple.
Notable Pitcher: Jeanmar Gomez struck out all three of the hitters he faced in his inning and was credited with the win.
Giants 9 Dodgers (SS) 3
The Headline: Manny Banuelos had a tough outing today. He allowed four runs on five hits in just 1.2 innings for the Dodgers.
Notable Hitter: Chase d’Arnaud drove in two runs and had a couple of hits to contribute to the Giants offensive outburst.
Notable Pitcher: Roberto Gomez, who by the way is listed as a switch hitter according to mlb.com, was the only Giants pitcher who made it a whole inning without allowing a base runner. He also struck out two.
Cubs 6 Rangers 1
The Headline: The Rangers got absolutely no offensive production in their Cactus League opener as their only run came on a passed ball. The Cubs had back to back homers from Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras in the fourth.
Notable Hitter: Ryan Court, who took over at short for Addison Russell, went 2/2 on the day and scored two runs.
Notable Pitcher: Luke Farrell was today’s winning pitcher. He struck out two, walked none, and only allowed two hits over his two scoreless innings.
Athletics 8 Padres 3
The Headline: The Padres trotted quite a few of their young and promising up and comers out on the field in this game. Manuel Margot, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Hunter Renfroe highlighted a Padres lineup that many are excited about for the future.
Notable Hitter: Franklin Barreto launched a two run homer in one of his two at bats on the day.
Notable Pitcher: Jharel Cotton made people take notice today when he struck out five while walking just one over his two innings of work.
Royals 8 Dodgers (SS) 4
The Headline: The Royals trotted out what looked to be their starting lineup for today’s Cactus League opener and all but three of them collected at least one hit on the day.
Notable Hitter: While the offensive production was spread across the Royals lineup relatively evenly, Raul Mondesi put his name in the news with a solo homer in the sixth.
Notable Pitcher: Malcolm Culver pitched two shutout innings with two strikeouts and just one hit allowed.
Rockies 11 Reds 4
The Headline: A five run seventh inning proved to be the difference in this game. That inning was highlighted by a two RBI single from promising prospect Ryan McMahon.
Notable Hitter: The aforementioned McMahon logged two hits and recorded two RBI in today’s game.
Notable Pitcher: Michael Lorenzon has many eyes on him this Spring as he attempts to put together a season uninterrupted by injury. The right hander allowed one run over his two innings while striking out three.
