Rizzo, Montero back Lackey's spring debut

March 11th, 2016

MESA, Ariz. -- Anthony Rizzo doubled twice, Miguel Montero hit a two-run homer and Dan Vogelbach added a solo shot in John Lackey's debut as the Cubs posted a 7-4 victory over a Reds split-squad team before a sellout crowd of 15,256 at Sloan Park on Friday.
Lackey, who signed a two-year contract with the Cubs this offseason, scattered five hits, walked one and struck out four over three innings.

"I just threw a bunch of fastballs the first two innings," said Lackey, who was originally scheduled to throw two innings, but got an extra inning of work because his pitch count was low. "I'm just trying to gain arm strength right now. The third inning, I mixed in a couple of things. I'm trying to locate the fastball first."
Robert Stephenson, ranked No. 2 on MLB.com's list of Reds prospects, gave up two runs on three hits and struck out three over three innings.
Reds infielder Jose Peraza, acquired from the Dodgers as part of the three-team trade that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox, hit his first spring home run with one out in the first off Lackey. The Reds loaded the bases with one out in the third and took a 3-1 lead on Adam Duvall's two-run single.
Rizzo doubled to lead off the second, moved up on Addison Russell's bloop single and scored when Montero grounded into a double play. Vogelbach pulled the Cubs within 3-2 with a leadoff home run in the third, launching the ball onto the grassy berm in straightaway center.
The Cubs added three more runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Russell and Montero's two-run drive.
Up next for the Reds: Continuing his bid to earn a spot in the Reds' rotation, left-handed pitching prospect Cody Reed -- ranked No. 3 in Cincinnati's system -- will make his second start and third appearance of the spring on Saturday at 9:05 p.m. ET, when the Reds host the Mariners at Goodyear Ballpark in a contest airing on Gameday Audio. Reed worked three scoreless innings his last time out, against the Angels.
Up next for the Cubs: The North Siders will play two games on Saturday. Jason Hammel will make his second Cactus League start in a 2:05 p.m. CT game against the White Sox at Mesa, Ariz., that will air on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio. Trevor Cahill will face the Dodgers in an 8:05 p.m. CT game at Glendale, Ariz., airing on MLB.TV and an exclusive cubs.com webcast.