Starlin Castro homers as Cubs beat Brewers 5-3
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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.
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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.
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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.