Milton Bradley doubles in return to Cubs' lineup

Posted March 04, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

Milton Bradley was back in the lineup for the first time in nearly a week and had a double in 3 at-bats during the Cubs' split-squad, 5-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in Goodyear, Ariz.

Bradley walked in his first at-bat for the Cubs on Feb. 26 but was removed for a pinch runner because of tightness in his quadriceps. He was the designated hitter Wednesday.

"I felt good today," Bradley said. "I'm just going to pace myself. In my first game I really didn't feel like I played because I knew I would only get 1 at-bat."

Beau Mills, Cleveland's No. 1 draft pick in 2007, hit a 2-run homer in the first inning. Mills, a right-handed hitting first baseman, is slated to begin the season at Class AA Akron, but is making a good impression in his second major-league camp.

The Cubs were without manager Lou Piniella and several of their regulars, who are in Las Vegas for a two-game series against the White Sox. Second baseman Aaron Miles, first baseman Derrek Lee and Bradley were the only everyday players in the lineup.

Half of the White Sox fall to A's: Dana Eveland pitched 2 scoreless innings in the Athletics' 7-2 victory over a White Sox split squad.

White Sox starter Lance Broadway retired seven of the first eight batters and then failed to record another out in 21/3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits. He walked three and struck out two. He had pitched 5 scoreless innings before the big inning.

"He knows how to get guys out," White Sox catcher Chris Stewart said. "He was pounding the strike zone and keeping the ball down. He may have gotten a little tired but it's early and pitchers are still working on things. He can build on the positive of the first two innings."

Dayan Viciedo, the 19-year-old third baseman from Cuba, hit his second home run of the spring and drove in 2 runs for the White Sox.

"Over time I've been getting a little more accustomed to things," Viciedo said through an interpreter. "I feel more comfortable with this system and these pitchers. I know teams are trying to get me to swing at balls out of the zone and that's where I need to get better."

• John Danks had 2 hits for the White Sox. Class AAA manager Chris Chambliss was in charge of the split-squad. Manager Ozzie Guillen was in Las Vegas for a split-squad game against the Cubs.