Starlin Castro homers as Cubs beat Brewers 5-3

[April 04, 2012]  MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- After leading the NL in hits with 207 last year, Starlin Castro looks set for a strong sophomore season.

Castro hit a two-run homer in the first inning off minor leaguer Kyle Heckathorn, and the Cubs beat a Milwaukee Brewers' split squad 5-3 Tuesday in Chicago's spring training finale.

Castro's homer went off the scoreboard in left field. He was replaced later by Alfredo Amezaga, who homered off Heckathorn leading off the fifth.

The 22-year-old Castro had a .311 spring training average following a .307 regular-season percentage last year.

Chicago, which went 17-16-2 in the exhibition season, opens at Wrigley Field on Thursday against Washington and ace Stephen Strasburg.

Scooter Gennett had three hits for the Brewers, including a run-scoring double. Most of Milwaukee's regulars were with the other split squad in Phoenix to play the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cubs left-hander Travis Wood, already optioned to Triple-A Iowa, allowed one run and six hits in six innings. Andy Gonzalez hit a solo homer off Wood in the second.

[Associated Press]

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