The Cubs headed to Surprise to take on the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. Chicago jumped on veteran starter Edinson Volquez in the 1st inning, scoring four runs. The big blow was a two-run double by non-roster invitee Phillip Evans.
Cole Hamels made his spring debut and after pitching around some hard contact in the 1st inning, settled down for a 1-2-3 2nd inning. Willson Contreras continued to show an early spring power surge. He crushed a long two-run homer to left in the 2nd inning against former teammate Jesse Chavez.
A Mark Zagunis homer upped the Chicago lead to 8-1 in the 5th inning.