Wrigley Field
Chicago, IL
April 14, 2015
The Cubs look to continue their winning ways after Jon Lester’s gem yesterday as young Kyle Hendricks takes the mound against Raisel Iglesias of Cincinnati.
The Reds get off to a good start as Skip Schumaker hits a one out single to right and was still there with two out when Joey Votto Crushes a 2-2 pitch into the hitting background in center for a towering two run homer. Eugenio Suarez draws a walk but is stranded there as the inning ends with the Reds up 2-0.
Dexter Fowler works Iglesias for a tough 8 pitch walk but is eliminated shortly afterwards as Starlin Castro pops up to catcher Brayan Pena for one out and then Anthony Rizzo hits a hard smash right at Brandon Phillips at second for an easy 4-6-3 double play to end the inning with the score still 2-0 after one inning.
Hendricks is a little sharper and the Reds go down quietly with no hits. Iglesias was suddenly red hot and strikes out the side with little effort and we go to the top of the third with the Reds still on top 2-0.
Hendricks gets another quick inning and the Cubs reward him in the bottom half of the frame as Austin Jackson hits a single just past Todd Frazier at third to start the inning. Addison Russell sits on a fastball for a booming double off the wall for an RBI double. Hendricks, not exactly noted for his hitting prowess hits a bloop single to center and Russell scores to tie the game.
After the pitching coach makes a quick trip to the mound Fowler draws another walk to put runners on first and second and Castro hits a liner into the right center field gap for a double that scores two, and suddenly the Cubs are on the verge of breaking this game wide open. Rizzo whiffs on a high fastball for the first out. Kris Bryant strokes a single to left that scores Castro and the Reds bullpen is up for the first time today.
Miguel Montero hits a single to left and runners are on first and second again. Chris Coughlin and Jackson ground out to end the inning, but the Cubs take the lead 5-2 at the end of three.
Hendricks continues to roll, getting another 1-2-3 inning and the Cubs come to bat in the bottom of the inning. Russell hits a shot up the middle for his second hit of the day. Hendricks strikes out, but things get interesting when Fowler walks yet again. Unfortunately Castro hits a one hop smash that Iglesias snags more in self-defense than on purpose, first off to the shortstop Suarez who turns the double play to end the threat.
Frazier hits a line shot to left, but Starlin Castro makes a great leaping grab for the out. Considering he is in his first season at second he has looked really good so far. Hendricks gets Pena to ground out and Iglesias is lifted for pinch hitter Ramon Cabrera. Cabrera hits a single to left but is stranded after Billy Hamilton flies out to right and the score is still 5-2 Cubs.
Collin Balester comes in and is greeted by Anthony Rizzo, who rips a double into the right field corner. Bryant walks and Montero hits a single to left that loads the bases. Coughlin draws a walk that forces in Rizzo for an easy RBI.
Things are looking bad for Balester until Jackson hits a bullet right at Brandon Phillips who was playing pretty close to the bag, and it’s a race to second and unfortunately Bryant is doubled up and suddenly there are two outs with runners on the corners. Russell, who had been struggling coming into the game gets his third hit of the day and this drives in another un and the score is 7-2 Chicago as the inning ends on Hendricks ground out.
Hendricks is still in a groove as he gets the first two hitters and Votto gets his second hit of the day. Votto is off with the pitch but Montero throws a bullet that nips him on a close play and the Reds lose an opportunity to get back into the game.
Dexter Fowler draws a walk to lead off the inning, and that is the fourth straight time today. If you get a golden sombrero for 4 strikeouts, what do you get for 4 walks, the golden pass? Unfortunately nothing comes of it, as Balester has started to settle in and gets the next three hitters and the score is still 7-2 Cubs on top.
Suarez hits a single to left and the Reds have a chance again. Phillips bunts him to second with the power hitting Frazier coming to the plate. Unfortunately he strikes out and Pena flies out to Coughlin in right to end the inning.
Montero strikes out to start the inning, but the Cubs continue to press as Coughlin walks, and Jackson gets his second hit of the day and runners are on first and second as the Reds bullpen gets up again. Manager Joe Maddon elects to keep Hendricks in the game and he manages a walk to load the bases, but Dexter Fowler finally gets a pitch to hit and he his one to deep center field, but Hamilton chases it down at the warning track to end the rally, and the inning with the Cubs still leading 7-2.
Kyle Hendricks is having a great day today, and he rewards his manager’s confidence by getting a 1-2-3 inning, and striking out two of the batters. Nate Adcock takes over after Balester was removed for a pinch hitter. He gets through the inning with only a single by Bryant, but allowed no runs.
Hendricks is allowed to try and go the distance, and the bullpen is forced into action for the first time today after Jay Bruce hits a fly ball deep to right for a homer. He gets the next two hitters, but Phillips draws a walk, but Frazier hits a grounder to Castro at second and the throw to first is in time and the Cubs win 7-3.
Kyle Hendricks gets his first win of the season and the Cubs improve to 6-1 for the season. Dexter Fowler drew four walks, and while he is still struggling so far at just a .107 average he has a .242 OBP. Miguel Montero got two more hits and he is hitting a team leading .391 in the early going.
Around the horn
Jason Kipnis of the Indians was the star of the day as the Indians pounded the White Sox 10-5, and he saw his average climb to .357.
Jonathan Schoop of the Orioles continues to surprise, he is hitting .300 with five dingers so far.
I have dubbed Jose Altuve of the Astros “instant offense”. He is hitting .406 with a .625 slugging percentage and an awesome 1.025 OPS. This is all despite the fact he has not hit a homer yet.
Kipnis has had a good year for me as well in the IAL.
Go Cubs!!