Dempster, Cubs defeat White Sox in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – Ryan Dempster and the Cubs handled a stiff breeze to slip past their rivals from the Windy City.
Dempster, who is expected to grab a spot as one of the Cubs’ top three starting pitchers, allowed one hit in three innings. He struck out two, walked none and allowed no earned runs, and the Cubs earned an 8-7 win over the White Sox on Saturday.
The tough conditions gave Dempster a chance to show why he has been able to pitch at least 200 innings in five seasons, including the past two after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003.
Dempster said that the plan was to pitch three innings, but he believed he could have gone four or five innings if needed in a wind that kept a TV camera from operating in center field and created a few dust storms.
“I felt good,” Dempster said. “I kept the ball down. I didn’t try to just command the fastball. I didn’t get behind a whole lot. I made adjustments. In spring games you’re pitching more innings and you have to continue to try and refine that.”
Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell, who managed the split squad Cubs to a two-game sweep of the Sox in place of manager Lou Piniella, who didn’t accompany the team here, was impressed with Dempster’s performance in the wind.
“Demp was sharp,” Trammell said. “That was what we were looking for. Most importantly, guys got their work in. For Ryan, that was important. It wasn’t the best of conditions out there.”
Despite the conditions, the Cubs were able to mount an eighth-inning rally and defeat the Sox.
Josh Vitters’ fielder’s choice in the eighth inning allowed Brad Snyder to score with the Cubs’ go-ahead run during their victory.
Vitters, who hit the game-winning RBI against the Sox on Friday, beat out a double-play throw to first base that would have ended the inning.
Before Vitters reached first base, the Cubs had tied the score at 6-6 in the four-run eighth on Micah Hoffpauir’s RBI double and Ryan Flaherty’s RBI single.
John Gaub (1-0) earned the victory, and Justin Berg got his first save for the Cubs. Jeff Marquez (0-1) took the loss for the Sox.
Brewers beat Sox: At Glendale, Ariz., Dave Bush threw 45 pitches and allowed a run and three hits in four innings, helping the Milwaukee Brewers defeat the White Sox, 7-2, in a split-squad game for both teams.
Sox starter Gavin Floyd matched Bush. He was effective in his four-inning, five-strikeout effort, and gave up his first and only run of the spring in the third inning, a solo home run by George Kottaras.
Floyd struck out three in two scoreless innings on March 8, and before that tossed two scoreless innings in a “B’’ game.
“Just trying to learn from each start, trying to improve and get ready for the season,” Floyd said. “It was one of those days where I felt pretty good with everything.”
Optimistic about Lee: Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee will miss a few more spring training games because of a left foot injury that the first baseman said isn’t serious.
Manager Lou Piniella on Saturday called the injury “just a bone bruise.”
Lee was injured Wednesday when he fouled a ball off the top of his foot.
Piniella expects Lee will be ready to play again “after the Tucson trip.” The Cubs play Monday against Colorado in Tucson, and most veterans dislike making the two-hour bus trip.
Sox prospect to have surgery: Sox outfielder Jared Mitchell is scheduled for surgery Tuesday to repair the torn tendon on the inside of his left ankle that he suffered making a difficult catch Friday in a game.
Mitchell will be evaluated Monday and have his surgery done in Scottsdale, Ariz. The club expects to know more about the timetable for his recovery after the surgery.
