Breakdown of Matt Garza's outing with the Smokies

 

Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza made his second rehab appearance with the Tennessee Smokies Saturday night as the right-hander tossed scoreless 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Garza threw 66 pitches in his outing, 40 of them for strikes. The Cubs righty threw his fastball between 90-94 MPH.

 

Garza got worked himself into a jam in the first inning after a walk to Birmingham Barons outfielder Trayce Thompson loaded the bases. But Smokies right fielder Rubi Silva saved Garza two batters later by catching a deep fly ball against the wall to end the inning. Garza worked a smooth 2 1/3 innings after that, allowing only two hits and no runs during that time.

Garza strained his left lat muscle early in Spring Training and was competing with former Smokies pitcher Jeff Samardzija to be the Cubs' Opening Day pitcher. The right-hander made his first rehab appearance for the Smokies on May 1 against the Mississippi Braves and tossed 42 pitches in 2 2/3 innings. Garza suffered the loss in a rain-shortened 3-0 decision.

1st Inning: 6 batters, 30 pitches, 18 strikes, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 stolen base

Matt Garza quickly found himself in the stretch Saturday night as Baron's lead off man lined a 1-0 fastball to Smokies first baseman Tim Torres. Torres was unable to field the ball and was charged an error on the play. With Walker at first base, Barons' shortstop Tyler Saladino grounded a 1-2 slider to Smokies shortstop Arismendy Alcantara who went to second base for the fielder's choice.

Trayce Thompson was next to the plate. Saladino stole second base after a couple of pickoff attempts by Garza, and two pitches later Garza walked Thompson on a full count. That brought first baseman Andy Wilkins to the plate, who quickly found himself in an 0-2 count after a first pitch fastball by Garza and a foul ball. Wilkins worked the count to 2-2 and nearly snuck a looping line drive down the left field line that would have driven in at least two runs. But the ball dropped harmlessly foul. Wilkins struck out on the next pitch on an 87 mph changeup on the outside corner.

Garza then faced off against left fielder Michael Earley. Garza got ahead early on an 0-2 count, but after a slider out of the zone and a missed call on the ensuing curveball, Earley drove a fastball all the way to the right field wall where Rubi Silva made the catch to get Garza out of the inning.

2nd Inning: 4 batters, 14 pitches, 7 strikes, 7 balls

The second inning proved to be much smoother for Garza. But Garza gave up a walk to Barons' catcher Mike Blanke as a 93 mph fastball bounced on the dirt for ball four. Dan Wagner then came to the plate and bunted a first-pitch fastball to the first base side of the mound where Garza made a diving catch to retire Wagner.

Cody Puckett was next up as Garza went ahead 0-2 before Puckett ground to third baseman Christian Villanueva, who threw to Elliot Soto at second base for the fielder's choice. Keenyn Walker entered the batter's box for his second at bat and grounded to Soto for the 4-3 putout.

3rd Inning: 4 batters, 13 pitchers, 9 strikes, 4 balls, 1 hit, 1 stolen base

Garza quickly faced Tyler Saladino to start off the third inning. The Cubs righty worked the shortstop to a 1-2 and got Saladino to swing at a curveball, flying out to left fielder Ty Wright.

Trayce Thompson stepped in next and rocketed a 1-0 94 mph fastball to center field for a base hit, bringing Dan Black to the plate. Black worked the count to 2-2, but struck out looking on a 85 mph changeup. Thompson stole second base on the throw, his ninth steal in 10 attempts.

Garza faced Andy Wilkins with two outs and a runner on second. Wilkins grounded out to second base to end the inning.

Fourth Inning: 2 batters, 8 pitches, 6 strikes, 2 balls, 1 hit

Garza began his final inning of work by facing off against Michael Earley, who nearly hit a grand slam off Garza in his first at bat. Garza worked the count to 0-2, but Earley blooped a 1-2 pitch to shallow right-center field.

That brought to the plate Mike Blanke. Blanke worked the count to 2-1, but Garza got the catcher to swing on a 87 mph slider to left field. Smokies manager Buddy Bailey then pulled Garza, who was at 66 pitches.