Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (2/26/19): D-Backs 5, Cubs 4 (Video Highlights)

The Cubs took on the Diamondbacks at Sloan Park Tuesday afternoon. Yu Darvish made his first start of the spring and popped the glove with a heater that clocked as high as 96 on the radar gun. Darvish clearly had a little rust, walking four batters in 36 pitches across 1.1 innings, but his fastball looked crisp and easy.

The Cubs put up four runs against former Cubs farm-hand Zack Godley in the 1st inning. Albert Almora pounded a double down the right field line to lead the inning off. Anthony Rizzo had a run-scoring single, and two more runs came on an Arizona throwing error. Addison Russell drove in the Cubs final run with a deep sacrifice fly.

And as a bonus, we have highlights of the Cubs scoring all four runs.

The road team answered back with five-runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Scott Effross, who entered for Darvish, did not fare well in relief.

The rest of the game was quite inconsequential, neither team scored for the remainder of the afternoon. In fact, the Cubs didn’t get a hit after the 3rd inning. The D-Backs took home the 5-4 exhibition victory. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Diamondbacks were slightly more efficient in their big inning than the Cubs were in theirs. Oh, and it’s spring training, so there’s that.

Key Moment

A Kris Bryant throwing error seemed to open the floodgates for the five-run 2nd inning. Thankfully the throwing error came now and not in November of 2016.

Stats That Matter

• Bryant also made his first out at the plate this spring. I’m sure he’ll use it for motivation.
• Javy Baez had his first hit, a ringing double in the 3rd inning.
• Rizzo not only had a RBI, he also displayed some highlights in his hair. Here’s hoping blondes really do have more fun.

Bottom Line

Darvish said after the game he was pain free and feels like this is the first start of his career. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come in 2019.

On Deck

The Cubs head to Surprise to battle the Texas Rangers Wednesday at 2:05 pm CT. Cole Hamels will take the bump for the Cubs. An audio feed is available on Cubs.com.

Be sure to follow Cubs Insider on Twitter for live feeds and highlights from Spring Training.