Cubs run into bizarre triple play against Giants: 'Every day, you see something new'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first inning Sunday was bizarre, even by spring-training standards.

The Cubs’ 4-2 loss to the Giants began with a literal emergency alarm, which ran through parts of Matt Shaw’s and Alex Bregman’s at-bats, before ending in a triple play.

‘‘I was confused about the fire drill, and then there’s three outs,’’ Cubs starter Colin Rea said. ‘‘And I’m like, ‘I don’t know what just happened, but here we go.’ ’’

With Shaw on second base and Bregman on first after drawing walks, Seiya Suzuki blooped a single into shallow right field. That’s when chaos ensued.

Giants second baseman Luis Arraez barehanded the ball on a bounce and threw it home, prompting Suzuki to race for second. First baseman Rafael Devers cut off the throw and fired to second.

One out.

Shaw, meanwhile, had stopped in his tracks around third, but Bregman had his head down and kept running. They ended up on the same base.

‘‘I thought I got a good read off the bat,’’ Bregman said, ‘‘and then I should have ran a little bit more with my head up.’’

Shortstop Willy Adames ran over, tagged both runners and handed the ball to third baseman Matt Chapman.

‘‘I knew that since I was the trail runner, I was out,’’ Bregman said. ‘‘But I’ve got to do a better job of just staying on the base, clarifying that.’’

Two outs.

As Bregman headed to the dugout, correct in his assessment of the play, Shaw had a brief conversation with third-base coach Quintin Berry. He then stepped off the base and pulled off his sliding mitt and helmet as he talked. Chapman, still holding the ball, tagged him.

Three outs.

‘‘That’s the beauty of baseball, I guess,’’ Adames told Giants reporters. ‘‘Every day, you see something new.’’

‘‘We’ll learn from it,’’ Bregman said.

Long set to see doctor

The Cubs hope first baseman Jonathon Long’s sprained left elbow isn’t serious enough to force him to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic.

Long, a non-roster invitee, suffered the sprain in a collision Saturday during the Cubs’ game against the Rangers. The team shut him down from baseball activities Sunday, and he’s set to see a doctor Monday.

‘‘He’s sore today, and there’s some swelling there today,’’ manager Craig Counsell said. ‘‘But if it’s just that, then we’re probably at two [or] three days [off].’’

Long was scheduled to leave camp this week to join Chinese Taipei for the WBC.

Gold for USA

The Cubs were gathered in their clubhouse with the TVs turned to the Olympic men’s gold-medal hockey game between the United States and Canada when Jack Hughes’ ‘‘golden goal’’ delivered a 2-1 victory to the Stars and Stripes.

‘‘We were all fired up,’’ said Bregman, who will represent the United States in the WBC this year. ‘‘We were going crazy in the clubhouse when we scored.’’

Can that be replicated in the WBC?

‘‘Let’s do it,’’ Bregman said. ‘‘Let’s go win. USA, baby.’’

Giants 4, Cubs 2

Right-hander Colin Rea allowed one run and three hits in 1‰ innings. He re-signed with the Cubs this offseason in a swingman role and said Sunday the decision was a no-brainer. ‘‘It’s a great spot to be,’’ he said. ‘‘Great guys on the team. We’ve got a really good clubhouse. We showed what we can do last year . . . and we’re better this year.’’

• Catcher Miguel Amaya and outfielder Dylan Carlson had two hits apiece.

• Utility player Matt Shaw was in the starting lineup for the second consecutive day, playing second base after starting in right field Saturday.

• On deck: Cubs at Royals, 2:05 p.m. Monday, Surprise, Ben Brown vs. Seth Lugo.