Cubs Hit McCarthy Hard, Down Dodgers, 7-5
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Dodgers starter Brandon McCarthy was hit hard as Chris Coghlan homered and drove in three runs to lead the Chicago Cubs over Los Angeles 7-5 Wednesday.
"Physically, I feel fine," McCarthy said. "I just have to look at what I did, correct it and move forward."
McCarthy gave up six runs and eight hits in four innings. In nine innings this spring, the 6-foot-7 Dodgers newcomer has allowed eight runs and 13 hits.
"Today was unexpected," said McCarthy, who signed a four-year deal for $48 million on Dec. 16 after spending last season with the Diamondbacks and Yankees. "It was my mechanics. I just couldn't do anything I wanted to. Everything was going in the wrong direction."
The Cubs jumped on McCarthy quickly. In the first, Arismendy Alcantara tripled and scored on a fielder's choice.
Coghlan hit a two-run homer in the second inning after a two-run double by Albert Almora. It was Coghlan's first homer of the spring.
Coghlan added a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
Joc Pederson hit a three-run homer off Cubs starter Jake Arrieta and went 3 for 3. The Dodgers roughed up Arrieta for five runs and seven hits in four innings.
"My delivery was off, but that's an easy fix," Arietta said.
Pederson has made 10 starts in center field this spring and is trying to win the everyday job in a crowded Dodgers outfield. He is batting .429 through 12 games.
Before Pederson's second Cactus League homer, Arrieta gave up an RBI double to Andre Ethier.
The Cubs added a run in the seventh on an RBI single by Jorge Soler.
NOT JUST YET
Pederson also doubled and singled, but manager Don Mattingly isn't ready to say he'll be the starting center fielder on opening day.
"Give him something to hit and he's going to hit it," Mattingly said. "We're just going to keep playing. As camp gets late, you start seeing different things from guys.
"We're going to let him go through the process."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Kris Bryant is scheduled to be the DH in a "B'' game against the Angels in Mesa. The third baseman, the club's top prospect, will play catch before the game, according to manager Joe Maddon. Bryant could be back at third Friday against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch, six days after he missed his first start with fatigue in his right shoulder. ... RHP Dallas Beeler, who had a 3.27 ERA in two starts last year, is rehabbing his shoulder and is yet to appear in a spring game. There's no timetable for when he might pitch.
Dodgers: Right-handed reliever Brandon League could begin playing catch Thursday. "Hopefully," Mattingly said. "If everything is right, he'll be back on." League had an injection for inflammation in his right shoulder. He last pitched March 9 and began to feel discomfort in his shoulder Wednesday during a bullpen session.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Edwin Jackson, who went 6-15 last year with a 6.33 ERA, is set to make his third spring start Thursday night against Arizona. In two starts, he has worked five innings and allowed four runs on five hits.
Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson gets his third start Thursday against the Angels at Camelback Ranch. Anderson, who signed a one-year deal for $10 million on Dec. 31 despite a history of injuries, has had a good spring. He has yet to allow a run over five innings, giving up three hits.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
