April 19, 2015
Wrigley Field
Chicago, IL
The Cubs face the Padres in the final game of the home stand and with the Phillies being defeated by the Nationals today they have a chance to move into second place. Today’s game features Tyler Ross against Kyle Hendricks.
Hendricks gets off to a good start by striking out the leadoff hitter, but Melvin Upton singles up the middle and Yangervis Solarte hits a fastball that was a no doubter from the moment it hit the bat. Matt Kemp strikes out for number two, but Yonder Alonso then hits a shot to deep right field for a solo homer and the Padres now have a three run lead and the first inning is not yet over. Fortunately he gets the third out, but the Padres already have a good head start.
Ross gets the side in order and neither team does anything in the second. Hendricks finally looks to be in form and the Cubs come to bat in the bottom of the third trailing 3-0. In the bottom of the third and Addison Russell gets a pitch to hit and he delivers a big fly ball to deep into the left field seats for his first major league home run! Congratulations abound, but the Cubs still trail by two as the inning ends.
Hendricks continues to pitch well and Ross is beginning to struggle as the Padres go down quickly and Starlin Castro hits a single to left to start the inning. Rizzo moves the runner to second and with two outs Miguel Montero gets a hanging curve and hits a game tying two run homer. Chris Coughlin grounds out to end the inning but now the game is tied at 3 each after three innings.
Neither team does anything in the fifth inning, but the Padres get a leadoff single from Solarte and he moved to third on Alonso’s one out single. Derek Norris rips a double into the right field gap and the Padres take a 5-3 lead. Hendricks gets the next two batters but the damage has been done as the sixth inning comes to a close.
The Cubs had a chance in the bottom of the inning after Dexter Fowler hits a single to right and moved to second on a ground out. Rizzo walks and moved to second with two out, but Montero comes up with a strikeout to end the rally and the visitors still lead 5-3.
From this point on the bullpens take over with Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm each providing one inning of hitless relief for the Cubs, but the Padres bullpen was up to the task with Shawn Kelley and closer Craig Kimbrel firing bullets to get the save in the ninth inning. The Padres get a much needed victory and the Cubs have to watch their chance to catch the Phillies go by.
Around the horn:
The Rays destroyed the Yankees 7-0. Nathan Karns strikes out nine on the mound and hits the game winning homer in the 3rd inning.
The Red Sox and the Orioles had a true slugfest today with Boston coming out on top for a 12-11 victory. Blake Swihart went 4-6, and hit the game winning HR in bottom of 10th.
Noah Syndergaard shut out the Marlins for a 4-0 victory.
