Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/14/25): Hanshin Tigers 3, Cubs 0 – Cubs Blanked in Tokyo Exhibition
The Cubs played their first game in Tokyo Saturday afternoon, an exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers from the NPB. Chicago had all of their regulars in the lineup, but Hanshin put up a shutout and took home the win.
The North Siders went with a bullpen game to give all of their key relievers an appearance on Saturday. The Tigers got their first run off of Caleb Thielbar in the bottom of the 3rd via an RBI double from Koji Chikamoto.
Hanshin lefty starter Keito Mombetsu pitched five perfect frames to begin the contest. The home team would add runs in the 4th and 5th to build a 3-0 lead by the middle innings. The Cubs picked up a couple of hits and brought the tying run to the plate in the 9th before falling by that same 3-0 score. (Box score)
Key Moment
Mombetsu had Chicago hitters completely baffled during his appearance with his herky-jerky motion and slow curveballs.
Why the Cubs Lost
The possibly jet-lagged offense just couldn’t get anything going in this one.
Stats That Matter
- Closer Ryan Pressly and top setup man Julian Merryweather each pitched a clean inning of relief.
- Seiya Suzuki had a single and a walk in his homecoming.
- Miguel Amaya had the Cubs’ first hit in the 6th inning.
Bottom Line
Most of Chicago’s starting position players went the full nine innings Saturday for the first time all spring. They appear to be ready for the games to actually count in about four days. Otherwise, it looked like a fun experience for everyone involved.
On Deck
The Cubs have one more exhibition game against the hometown Tokyo Giants at the Tokyo Dome early Sunday starting at 5:05am CT. Jameson Taillon takes the mound in a game airing on MLB Network and Marquee.
