HOUSTON (AP) — Chicago’s Edwin Jackson got off to a slow start on Friday night against the Houston Astros. When he settled down, he was almost unhittable.
Jackson struck out nine as the Cubs and Astros played to a 6-6 tie in 10 innings in an exhibition game.
Jackson plunked leadoff hitter Jose Altuve before walking Brett Wallace. Chris Carter then doubled in a pair with one out before Jackson struck out two straight to end the inning.
Houston’s Marwin Gonzalez hit an opposite-field, three-run homer in the second before Jackson retired nine of the next 10 batters, striking out seven of them. He was replaced by James Russell for the fifth inning.
His nine strikeouts were one more than he’d had in his previous five spring starts.
