Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Extra bases

Darwin Barney has been working a lot with Cubs hitting coach Bill Mueller and the lessons appear to be paying off. On Friday, the second baseman went 2-for-2 in his first spring game, hitting a solo home run in the fourth.

"I feel I can repeat what I'm doing up there and that's the goal," said Barney, who batted .208 last season. "It's Day 1 and it's a long spring ahead and a lot of work to be done."

Barney isn't being counted on to hit home runs -- he matched his career high last season with seven.

"I'm trying to stay short and hit line drives," he said. "My swing allowed me to do that and I'm happy about that. It's early, it's just one pitch. I've got a lot of work to do."

Bryant added a two-run homer for the Cubs, who lost, 15-3, to the Angels.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.
Read More: Chicago Cubs