MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs lost to the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Monday and remain winless (0-5-1) in Cactus League play.
The good: Kyle Hendricks, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Justin Grimm and even prospect C.J. Edwards looked good on the mound. Hendricks gave up three hits over two innings but made some big pitches to Justin Upton to get out of a jam in the fourth inning. He hit 79 and 80 mph on the radar gun before striking Upton out on an 87 mph fastball.
Fellow right-hander Edwards, meanwhile, pounded the strike zone, fanning two and getting a groundout for an easy 1-2-3 inning.
The Cubs did most of their damage on offense in the fifth inning, when five consecutive batters reached, including Mike Olt who homered for the second time this spring. Miguel Montero also went deep.
The bad: Edwin Jackson couldn’t pitch around a couple of errors -- including his own -- and gave up four hits and four runs in two innings. None of the hits off of him were cheap, as he wasn’t fooling anyone. Will Middlebrooks took him deep for a three-run shot. Jason Motte also grooved some pitches, giving up two runs on three hits.
Anthony Rizzo was hitless in three at-bats and is without a base knock this spring.
What it means: Most of the pitching went as one might have expected. Jackson doesn’t have a major role on this team, so it doesn’t really matter what he does. Motte might be of more interest. The right-hander is still coming back from past injuries, but right now it looks as if he’s throwing batting practice -- though the radar is showing a mid-90s fastball. There’s plenty of time left to round into shape, but there’s also nothing wrong with keeping an eye on Motte moving forward.
Olt might win Mr. March again, but don’t discount the changes he’s made. The at-bats are longer and he’s keeping within himself, as evidenced by drawing a walk after hitting a home run. He didn’t try for another long ball.
Bard’s comeback: After a long wait to get back into baseball, pitcher Daniel Bard might be getting closer. The righty threw a simulated game Sunday and said he felt better than he has in a long time.
“I’m pushing them to get into a game as soon as possible," the 29-year-old said of Cubs brass, "but they’re taking a more conservative approach since it’s been a while for me."
Bard had surgery in January 2014 for thoracic outlet syndrome, which entailed removing a rib from behind his collarbone on his pitching shoulder to ease the nerve in that area. Now he might be right again after having success with the Boston Red Sox from 2009-11. He’ll need time in the minors, though.
“It was good to get away and hit the reset button,” he said.
More baserunning: Cubs manager Joe Maddon was still beaming Monday from Kyle Schwarber hustle in Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Schwarber ran hard on an easy fly ball that ended up falling in right center.
“He didn’t mail it in,” Maddon said. “Most of the time guys make it to second base and sometimes under duress. But he made it to third base, and I thought that was spectacular.”
Having said all that, the Cubs have made some mistakes with that kind of aggression. The latest was Monday, when Chris Coghlan came hard around third base on an infield hit by Dexter Fowler. He was eventually tagged out, helping to kill a rally.
Wada slowed again: After his one-inning stint Sunday, Tsuyoshi Wada has some discomfort in his groin area that might cost him some time. Maddon said it’s different than the injury that held him back a few days at the beginning of camp.
Back to the future: Maddon was told the DeLorean time-machine car featured in the "Back to the Future" movies might be given away if the Cubs win the World Series this year, as predicted in the film. It’s only worth it if it comes with the flux capacitor, Maddon joked.
“If it has all the bells and whistles, you definitely want to have that car,” Maddon said.
What’s next: The pitching rotation starts over again, with Travis Wood scheduled to take the mound against Cleveland on Tuesday in Goodyear.