Chicago will need the Reds to figure out how to score in bunches as Cincinnati heads to Pittsburgh for the final three games of the year. “We’ve got a few more to go”.
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“You don’t want to come in and try to act like this guy who knows it all and has been doing it for awhile”.
Instead, the workhorse left-hander signed to be the $155 million centerpiece to a last place team’s competitive turning point has become a linchpin for the Cubs’ sudden, improbable breakthrough season – early struggles, throwing yips and all.
“I guess it’s been a good season overall”, DeSclafani said. I had a couple goals in mind that I didn’t reach. “I’d like to see him pick up where he left off in that final start”.
In his last 16 starts entering Wednesday night’s outing against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, Lester had gone 6-6 with a 2.93 ERA in his previous 16 starts including a complete game on September 15 in Pittsburgh.
DeSclafani struck out six of the first seven batters he faced. In the bottom of the third Lamb tried to help his own cause with his first career hit, a double into the left field gap. Catcher Montero’s two-run double was the key blow in a four-run first inning against Reds rookie right-hander Josh Smith.
Chase Utley hit a sacrifice fly after Andre Ethiers leadoff triple in the second, Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI single and Ethier drove in a run on a groundout for the Dodgers.
Anthony Rizzo doubled to lead off the fourth, snapping a 0-for-11 slump, and scored on Addison Russell’s single.
The bullpen had a rough time in the Reds’ seventh, though it was not all the pitchers’ fault.
Starlin Castro has been one of the most talked about Cubs this season, and not always for the best.
“He is playing with such tremendous focus right now”, said Maddon.
Jason Hammel (10-7) turned in five shutout innings to match his career high in wins.
Cubs: C Miguel Montero was given a day game off after catching Wednesday’s night game. “We’ve got it going”.
The three runs meant that the Cubs’ usual setup tandem of Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon had to finish up this one, although I think Joe Maddon was going to give them an inning of work each anyway, as neither had thrown since Monday. Ken Holtzman had 202 Ks in 1970.
Here’s his three-run homer after a pair of walks to Kyle Schwarber and Dexter Fowler in the third inning.
Tyler Holt, who was claimed on waivers by the Reds on Sunday from Cleveland, had a hit and scored a run in his first start as a Red.
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After getting a rare break from the starting lineup on Wednesday, Joey Votto should be back at first base on Thursday.
