2013 Big League Weekend Recap

The Chicago Cubs and the Texas Rangers split the two-game Spring Training series for 2013 Big League Weekend before a two-day total attendance of 17,807 at Cashman Field.

The Cubs defeated the Rangers, 5-1, on Saturday (March 16) before a crowd of 9,005. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija recorded the victory and tossed five shutout innings, allowed 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3.  Chicago built a 3-0 lead after 3 ½ innings. First baseman Steve Clevenger was 2-for-4, double, run scored; designated hitter Starlin Castro was 1-for-2, double, RBI, run scored and center fielder Scott Hairston was 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Center fielder Craig Gentry led Texas with a 1-for-3, triple run scored performance. Right-hander Nick Tepesch suffered the loss. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs, walked 1 and struck out 2.

The Rangers then gained a split in the series with an 8-5 victory over the Cubs on Sunday afternoon on St. Patrick's Day before a crowd of 8,802. Texas recorded 14 hits and scored three runs each in the first and sixth innings. First baseman Mitch Moreland was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the first inning; left fielder Julio Borbon was 2-for-3, triple, RBI and third baseman Joey Gallo, a local product from Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas), was 1-for-1 with a three-run home run in the sixth inning.

Right fielder Nate Schierholtz led Chicago with a 2-for-3, solo home run performance. The Cubs rallied from an 8-5 deficit and loaded the bases in the ninth inning but first baseman Brad Nelson struck out to end the game. Left-hander Robbie Ross recorded the victory with three scoreless innings, allowed 4 hits and struck out 4. Right-hander Carlos Villanueva suffered the loss. He pitched 4 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, walked 3 and struck out 2.