Cubs Defeat Mariners 7-1 in Spring Training Matchup

Colin Rea shines on the mound as Chicago's road squad secures a decisive victory

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:19pm

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The Chicago Cubs continued their spring training preparations with a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night in Peoria. Despite resting most of their expected starters, the Cubs' road squad received strong performances from several key players, including pitcher Colin Rea, outfielder Dylan Carlson, and infielder Ben Cowles.

Why it matters

This game provided an opportunity for Cubs players fighting for roster spots to showcase their skills, as the team finalizes its roster ahead of the upcoming season. The solid outing from Rea is particularly noteworthy, as he looks to carve out an important role in the Cubs' pitching staff.

The details

The Cubs jumped out to an early lead in the 1st inning on an RBI single by Miguel Amaya. Rea, the Cubs' starting pitcher, gave up one run after an errant pickoff throw in the 2nd inning, but settled in and pitched well overall. Carlson put the Cubs back on top with a solo home run in the 6th, and Cowles added a two-RBI single later in the frame to extend the lead to 4-1. The Cubs tacked on three more runs in the 8th inning, including another RBI single by Cowles, to secure the 7-1 victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Cubs and Mariners faced off in Peoria, Arizona as part of their spring training schedule.

The players

Colin Rea

A pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who had a strong outing in the team's spring training game against the Mariners.

Dylan Carlson

An outfielder for the Chicago Cubs who hit a solo home run to put the team back on top in the 6th inning.

Ben Cowles

An infielder for the Chicago Cubs who had a two-RBI single in the 6th inning and another RBI single in the 8th inning to help secure the win.

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What they’re saying

“Colin Rea was sharp on the mound, giving us a great start and setting the tone for the rest of the game.”

— David Ross, Cubs Manager

“It's always good to get a win, especially this late in spring training when we're finalizing the roster. The guys really stepped up today.”

— Ben Cowles, Cubs Infielder

What’s next

The Cubs have only three games left in their spring training schedule, with their next matchup coming against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon at Sloan Park.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth of the Cubs' roster, as several players fighting for roster spots made strong contributions to the team's victory. The solid outing from Rea in particular is an encouraging sign as the Cubs finalize their pitching staff ahead of the regular season.