Cubs Streak Comes to an End

Click Here for My Photos From Today at Scottsdale

Headed up to Scottsdale this morning to see the Cubs take on the Giants. It was an absolutely magnifico day weather wise here in the valley of the sun. Mostly sunny by gametime, about 75 degrees and a light breeze. The Giants were Bonds-less, of course the Cubs are down a few players also because of the World Baseball Classic. It was only a matter of time before the Cub’s unbeaten streak came to an end , as they lost today to the Giants 7 – 2 in front of a record crowd at Scottsdale Stadium.

Not many highlights for the Cubs, Brian Dopirak filling in for the WBC bound Lee, hit his first HR of the spring. Felix Pie hit his second Triple of the spring, and made a nice grab in foul territory, then showed a major league gun on the throw to hold the base runner. Ryan Dempster threw a ton of pitches in his one inning, allowing a run then loading the bases before getting the final out. When the inning ended, the guy next to me said “well, at least Dempster is in mid-season form.”

Scottsdale Stadium had a face-lift this off season. (A town specialty) New this year: A giant-baseball flanked entrance behind Centerfield, new practice facilities, and a large right field pavilion. It is a great place to watch a game, my only gripe, and maybe I would notice more than others, was that you could not hear the PA announcer from nearly anywhere in the place. Perhaps it’s early and they just need to tweek their system. Even if the result wasn’t as good as hoped, it was a great day to enjoy a spring training ball game.

Barry Bonds sat this one out, said he wasn’t up to playing today. Some say it was because he had cramps. (see pic)

AP Photo/Ben Margot