Late rally not enough for Solar Sox
Mesa scored three runs in the ninth to force extra innings, but Salt River’s Andy Wilkins hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th, prolonging the Solar Sox’s seven-game losing streak. Cubs prospects were heavily involved in the comeback, however.
Cubs shortstop Javier Baez kicked off the ninth with a single up the middle. He advanced to second on a passed ball, and then to third on a wild pitch. He would score two batters later on a two-RBI single by Brian Ward. Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur drove in pinch-hitter Joc Pederson from second on a single to left.
Szczur finished the day 2-for-5 with an RBI and two stolen bases. Baez went 1-for-5 and committed his seventh error of the fall league. Rubi Silva was also in the lineup. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.
Nick Struck lowered his ERA with a scoreless seventh inning, giving up just one hit. Kevin Rhoderick came in in the eighth and struck out two, allowing no runs, no hits and one walk.
Mesa heads to Phoenix Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 12:35. Cubs arm Dae-Eun Rhee is expected to start.
How the Cubs have fared:
