Anthony Rizzo had two hits, including his first home run of the spring in the first inning, but the Cubs fell to the Mariners 8-6 on Thursday at Sloan Park. With the help of three stolen bases, an error and a balk that allowed a run to score, the Mariners pushed four across in the ninth after the Cubs had taken a 5-4 lead in the eighth.
At the plate: Catcher Taylor Davis had two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, while five Mariners had two hits apiece. Mike Zunino’s solo home run was one of 17 Mariners hits.
On the mound: Mike Montgomery allowed three hits and a run and struck out one in a two-inning start. Brett Anderson yielded five hits and two runs in two innings, and Brian Duensing, who took the loss, allowed five hits, four runs and a walk in one-third of an inning.
The quote: “The pollen count is extremely high, so I had to deal with that. The two worst places in the country this time of year — the Tampa area and here. We have to move spring training to … I don’t know.” — Cubs manager Joe Maddon on his allergies.
Up next: at Mariners, 2:10 p.m. Friday in Peoria, Ariz. RH Kyle Hendricks vs. RH Chris Heston.
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