Oakland Athletics overcome Chicago Cubs in split squad game – MLB Spring Training News
Oakland Athletics did not show any nerves as they defeated Chicago Cubs 8-7 in a thrilling Spring Training game at the HoHoKam Park here in Mesa, Arizona. The match was played on an extremely competitive note as both teams looked to establish control over the contest. The Athletics displayed some high quality baseball skills under pressure, which played a key role in deciding the outcome of the game. The Cubs, on the other hand, had plenty of scoring opportunities but their hitters failed to convert them.
Ryan Dempster, who posted one of the worst seasons of his career with the Cubs in 2011, got off to a decent Spring Training start as he allowed only one run and two hits over two innings pitched in Chicago’s 8-7 loss to the Athletics. His 10-14 win-loss record with a poor 4.80 ERA in 2011 is something he will be looking to improve in this season. The right handed Dempster will be hoping to make the most of available opportunities during Spring Training to shut his critics.
"It's why I've worked really hard this winter," said Dempster, who struck out two and walked none. "Anytime you've had a subpar year, you don't like it a whole lot and you want to try and do a whole lot better the next time out."
Josh Reddick was quite brilliant in hitting department of the game as he collected two hits to help the Oakland clinch a narrow win. In the post game interview, Cubs’ Manager Dale Sveum stated that Dempster is better than what he managed to show last year.
"He had an unbelievable spring training where he had unbelievable command of his fastball and that might have gotten him into a little bit of trouble because he mentioned he wasn't using his secondary pitches as much because he was so caught up in having great fastball command in spring," Sveum said.
Oakland Athletics were unable to live up to the expectations last season. Team manager will be hoping to form the right pitching and hitting combination to reach the playoffs this season. It will be exciting to see if the Athletics can perform to their potential.
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