Cubs Split Squads, Cardinals Get Past Marlins

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants used some late-inning magic to erase an early deficit and secure their first Cactus League victory, 8-6, over the Cubs on Thursday. After trailing, 5-0, through five, the Giants scratched across a run in the sixth, scored two in the seventh via a Daniel Carbonell home run and took the lead with a five-run eighth. The Cubs lineup featured several of the team's top prospects as Kris Bryant (No. 1), Addison Russell (No. 2), Jorge Soler (No. 4) and Kyle Schwarber (No. 6) all started the game. Schwarber, the Cubs' first-round pick in the 2014 Draft, provided the bulk of the offense and showed everyone why he's a top prospect with a grand slam to right field in the second. Schwarber celebrated his 22nd birthday Thursday and finished the game 1-for-3.

Manager Joe Maddon's Cubs debut ended in a tie. The Cubs and Athletics played to a 2-2 tie Thursday in a split-squad game at Sloan Park in the manager's first game. He liked the interaction with the fans during the course of the game. Barry Zito, 36, a non-roster invitee who is attempting a comeback after not pitching last season, retired the first five batters he faced, then hit Chris Coghlan with two outs in the Chicago second to set up Mike Olt's two-run homer. Ryan Sweeney followed with a single off Zito, who got Junior Lake to ground out and end the inning. Travis Wood, battling for the fifth starter spot in the Cubs rotation, struck out two of the six batters he faced in his first outing. An All-Star in 2013, Wood scuffled last season, posting an 8-13 record and 5.03 ERA.

It's not official yet, but the Chicago Cubs plan to add another left-handed arm to the bullpen mix in the form of former Detroit Tigers reliever Phil Coke, according to a source familiar with the situation. Phil Coke is poised to compete for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen after pitching for the Tigers (2010-2014) and Yankees (2008-2009).

Coke, 31, appeared in 62 games for the Tigers last season, compiling a 3.88 ERA. In his seven-year career with both the New York Yankees and Tigers, he is 22-27 with eight saves and a 4.16 ERA. Coke has a career .243 batting average against when lefties hit off of him, but that balloons to .303 against righties. Last season's splits (.257/.333) were no different. And in appearances deemed late/close, Coke's career splits are similar (.232/.309).

Heyward leads Cardinals past Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Miami's Giancarlo Stanton was hitless in his first two at-bats in a major league game since being struck in the face by a pitch last September, and Jason Heyward singled in his first at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals, a 4-1 victory over the Marlins on Thursday. Stanton wore a helmet with a partial face mask that protected the left side of his face, where he broke his orbital bone and damaged several teeth when he was hit by a pitch from Mike Fiers that ended his season.

Acquired in an offseason trade with Atlanta, Heyward's spot in the Cardinals' lineup has been a popular topic of speculation. He batted second on Thursday, going 1 for 2. Heyward flashed his speed moments later, breaking for second when Matt Holliday hit Dan Haren pitch's to deep left-center field. Christian Yelich lost sight of the ball in sun, allowing it to bounce over the wall for an automatic double.

Heyward then scored on a two-run bloop single by Matt Adams off Haren, who was making his first appearance for the Marlins after being acquired in an offseason deal with the Dodgers. He allowed two runs and three hits while walking one in two innings.

St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez impressed in his bid to claim the fifth spot in the Cardinals' rotation, striking out three of the six batters he faced and sawing off Michael Morse's bat at the handle on a weak grounder to short.