MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs got their first taste of the rule changes in action in their 10-8 win against the Giants to open their Cactus League schedule Saturday.
Center fielder Cody Bellinger benefitted from the first clock violation call, when Giants right-hander Tristan Beck was charged with an automatic ball in the first inning. There were believed to be as many as five clock violations in the game, but MLB did not provide an official count.
There was also some confusion over whether Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer had called timeout during an at-bat in the bottom of the third inning – he was awarded time.