Greinke is ‘solid’; D’backs beat Cubs

Zack Greinke has one more spring start before he embarks on what he hopes is a bounce-back season for him and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In an outing he described as “solid,” the right-hander went five innings plus two batters against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs on Thursday, allowing three runs and six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

“I was going a little slow early on, but felt pretty strong out there today,” Greinke said. “I made a couple of mistakes, but it was definitely the highest percentage of executed pitches so far.”

His biggest mistake came against pitcher Jake Arrieta, who homered on a 1-2 pitch in the third inning for the Cubs’ first run.

Mariners demote Vogelbach:

The Seattle Mariners have optioned first baseman Daniel Vogelbach to Triple-A Tacoma, meaning Danny Valencia will be the everyday first baseman.

Exhibition highlights:

Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 in six scoreless innings in his final spring start in the Dodgers’ 10-2 win over the Rangers. Chase Utley started at first base and was 3 for 4 with a home run. Texas starter Dillon Gee allowed seven runs and nine hits in3⁄1 3innings .... Asdrubal Cabrera was ejected by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez in the fourth inning in the Mets’ 1-0 loss to the Nationals. Cabrera wasn’t granted time on a 3-0 count, then singled on the next pitch and said something to Hernandez on his way to first base. With Cabrera on first base, Hernandez threw him out of the game . ... Dustin Pedroia went 3-for-3 with two runs, Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland each drove in a pair and Pablo Sandoval continued his comeback from an injurymarred 2016, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the Red Sox’s 10-7 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte hit a grand slam and had five RBIs . ... Adam Wainwright went four innings and gave up three runs — one earned — on five hits and a walk, and added an RBI single in the Cardinals’ 5-3 win over the Marlins . ... Tommy Field hit a two-run home run and former Giant Ehire Adrianza went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the Twins’ 4-2 win over the Phillies.