Cubs rout Rockies, lose to Reds

The Cubs spring training split squad lost one to the Cincinnati Reds 9-5 but beat the Colorado Rockies 18-4 on Saturday in Arizona.

Cubs 18, Rockies 4:

Jake Arrieta pitched four shutout innings and also homered, doubled and drove in four runs as the split-squad Chicago Cubs routed the Colorado Rockies 18-4 Saturday.

Cubs rookie Kris Bryant had four hits, raising his spring average to .459.

The Cubs scored seven times in the first inning, helped by four plays that Colorado botched and Arrieta's three-run homer.

Bryant hit a double off starter Jonathan Gray, who left after getting only two outs.

Second baseman Charlie Culberson and catcher Michael McHenry made errors, a bunt was fumbled and no one covered first base on another bunt.

Along with his homer, Arrieta got a double when his long fly to center field was lost in the sun by Drew Stubbs.

Arrieta was more than happy to talk about his plate prowess.

"We put time into it," Arrieta said of the pitching staff's hitting.

Cubs pitchers want to "kind of catch up" with teammate Travis Wood, one of the game's best-hitting pitchers.

"He sets the standard pretty high," Arrieta said. "We have a friendly competition at the plate and try to really put together some good at-bats and kind of challenge each other and contribute as much as we can."

Cubs 5, Reds 9:

Todd Frazier hit his fourth home run this spring and drove in four runs as the Cincinnati Reds beat a Chicago Cubs split squad 9-5 Saturday.

Frazier hit an RBI single in the first inning off Gonzalez Germen, who was pulled after getting only two outs. Frazier also made two errors at third base.

Frazier's three-run home run off Frank Bastista was to right field.

"It's nice to see a guy drive the ball that way," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "That tells you there is a lot going right with his swing."

Brennan Boesch, making a bid to win a spot as the Reds' fourth outfielder, also hit his fourth homer and doubled.

Brayan Pena beat the shift twice for base hits. Ivan De Jesus Jr. continued an impressive spring by getting on base three times.

"There were a lot of good things," Price said.

"We are getting good pitches to hit early in the count and we're not afraid to lay off a pitcher's pitch and hit behind in the count. It is all good pitch identification."

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman started and struck out the side in his only inning. Manny Parra and Tony Cingrani had scoreless outings as Cincinnati used eight pitchers.

Cubs second baseman Javier Baez had two hits and made two errors. Dexter Fowler hit his first home run of the spring.

Germen gave up four hits and walked three.