The Arizona Diamondbacks fell to the Chicago Cubs 4-2 at Sloan Park. The story from the game was how well the back of the bullpen pitched in this game.
Arizona went with a bullpen game to get their key relievers some work. Joe Mantiply, Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk, and Justin Martinez each threw a scoreless inning in their spring debuts to begin the game. Ginkel, Puk, and Martinez combined for five strikeouts and just one walk.
While the bullpen was shutting down the Cubs, the Diamondbacks took an early lead in the game. Geraldo Perdomo swung at the first pitch he saw in the second and launched a solo home run to right field. Perdomo keyed another inning, drawing a walk to lead off the fourth then advancing to third on a single by Ildemaro Vargas. Connor Kaiser hit a slow roller to third to bring the run home to make it 2-0.
For as good as the back end of the bullpen pitched in this game, the rest of the relievers did not. Kyle Nelson surrendered two home runs in the fifth, allowing the Cubs to tie the game. In addition, the defense started to fall apart. The perfect example came on a Pete Crow-Armstong stolen base attempt. Rene Pinto rushed the throw to second, hopping into center field, and Cristian Pache kicked the ball to allow Crow-Armstrong to score.
More sloppy defense came in the eighth. With a runner at second, Grae Kessinger lost a pop-up in the sun and it clanked off his glove. A swinging bunt down to third made it 4-2.
The Diamondbacks will host the Milwaukee Brewers at Salt River Fields. Corbin Burnes will make his second start of the spring after a dazzling debut on Friday. The Brewers will send in reliever Grant Anderson. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 P.M. MST. There is no television broadcast for the game, but there will be a radio broadcast.