rockin500
03-05-2003, 12:06 AM
MESA, Ariz. -- David Kelton hit a two-run homer and scored the tie-breaking run on a sacrifice fly by Augie Ojeda in the ninth to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory Tuesday over the Anaheim Angels.
"We needed to win that game," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "We needed to win one because we lost four in a row. That's enough losing -- even though it's only Spring Training if we have a chance to win them, we want to win them."
Mark Prior, making his second spring start, tuned up with a solid outing, giving up one hit over three innings and striking out two.
Kelton hit a pinch-hit homer in the sixth to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead. But the Angels tied the game in the seventh on a three-run homer by Robb Quinlan off Matt Bruback.
Kelton led off the ninth with a double off Mark Lukasiewicz and reached third on Midre Cummings' fly ball out. Ojeda then hit a sacrifice fly to score Kelton.
"I've heard about him," Baker said of Kelton, who batted .261 at Double-A West Tenn last year. "He works hard and has a great attitude. He's a fine young man who wants to get better. He's playing good, he's playing very good. I'm glad he hit the home run and the big no-out double."
The Cubs had runners at first and second in the first inning, but Mark Grudzielanek was thrown out at home trying to score on Nic Jackson's single. Chicago then loaded the bases but Troy O'Leary hit into a double play.
Grudzielanek had to leave the game after two innings. He sprained his right ankle sliding into Anaheim catcher Bengie Molina at home plate. X-rays were negative.
Hee Seop Choi singled to lead off the Cubs fourth, reached third on O'Leary's single and a throwing error by pitcher Ben Weber, and scored on Mark Bellhorn's sacrifice fly. O'Leary then scored on Paul Bako's infield hit.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
"We needed to win that game," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "We needed to win one because we lost four in a row. That's enough losing -- even though it's only Spring Training if we have a chance to win them, we want to win them."
Mark Prior, making his second spring start, tuned up with a solid outing, giving up one hit over three innings and striking out two.
Kelton hit a pinch-hit homer in the sixth to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead. But the Angels tied the game in the seventh on a three-run homer by Robb Quinlan off Matt Bruback.
Kelton led off the ninth with a double off Mark Lukasiewicz and reached third on Midre Cummings' fly ball out. Ojeda then hit a sacrifice fly to score Kelton.
"I've heard about him," Baker said of Kelton, who batted .261 at Double-A West Tenn last year. "He works hard and has a great attitude. He's a fine young man who wants to get better. He's playing good, he's playing very good. I'm glad he hit the home run and the big no-out double."
The Cubs had runners at first and second in the first inning, but Mark Grudzielanek was thrown out at home trying to score on Nic Jackson's single. Chicago then loaded the bases but Troy O'Leary hit into a double play.
Grudzielanek had to leave the game after two innings. He sprained his right ankle sliding into Anaheim catcher Bengie Molina at home plate. X-rays were negative.
Hee Seop Choi singled to lead off the Cubs fourth, reached third on O'Leary's single and a throwing error by pitcher Ben Weber, and scored on Mark Bellhorn's sacrifice fly. O'Leary then scored on Paul Bako's infield hit.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.