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Diamondbacks 7, Cubs 3
At Sloan Park
On the mound: Facing something close to the Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day lineup, RHP Taijuan Walker gave up some hard contact for the first time this spring, giving up three runs in four innings, walking none and striking out eight. Walker, who entered the game with nine scoreless innings in the Cactus League, gave up a run in the third on an RBI single by reigning MVP Kris Bryant, then allowed back-to-back homers to 2B Ben Zobrist and SS Addison Russell an inning later. “Two sliders that I just hung instead of finishing it,” Walker said of the homers. He said he was otherwise pleased with the pitch, which he used to strike out C Miguel Montero in the fourth. He said he was able to make adjustments in his delivery to get himself back on track relatively quickly. “Now I know when I’m getting disconnected,” he said. “I know when I’m leaking and I knew when my front side is too low. I can actually feel it now and make that adjustment.”
BOIVIN:Taijuan Walker should have our attention
At the plate: DH Ketel Marte had a pair of doubles, the first of which plated two runs in the second inning. He doubled again in the fifth but was promptly thrown out at third trying to steal. SS Ildemaro Vargas lined a single to left in the seventh to drive in two runs, yet another hit for the Diamondbacks’ prospect. Vargas entered the night hitting .348 (8 for 23) with three doubles and two homers in the Cactus League. LF Oswaldo Arcia launched a long home run in the eighth inning, a solo shot that easily cleared the fence in right-center field. 2B Brandon Drury had two hits and a walk in his three trips to the plate.
Extra bases: C Josh Thole had to be helped off the field after going down between first and second base during the top of the eighth inning. He was holding his left hamstring.
Thursday’s game: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray vs. Brewers RHP Matt Garza, 1:05 p.m., Maryvale Baseball Park.
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