That’s not something that would normally go through a hitter’s mind just hours before facing reigning National League Cy Young Award victor Jake Arrieta.
Advertisement
Milwaukee’s Zach Davies (11-7) was effective after giving up three runs in the first, allowing seven hits in five innings.
The Chicago Cubs can rest easily knowing the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be in the postseason. “I thought coming into the year I had a chance to hit a lot more than that, but hopefully I’ll finish strong and we’ll see what happens”. “Resulting in a loss, I feel like I could have done a little more just with the tools I have available to me, where I’m at this year”.
Alex Reyes pitched seven dominant innings in his third major league start, fellow rookie Alemys Diaz hit a two-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals moved up in the tight NL wild-card race, blanking the San Francisco.
“He’s a ideal example of if you’re going to vote on wins and losses (for the Cy Young Award)”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. He had allowed just one home run in 34 previous major league appearances in his career. “It’s unfortunate, but six innings, two runs, nine K’s … pretty good”. They resumed playing their regulars after clinching the division Thursday.
While Hendricks’ numbers have been magic, the Cubs did nothing to help themselves reach a couple of more magic numbers in the loss on a day when the team returned to normal, at least as far as its lineup was concerned. “This is one of those days (with) the culmination of the wind blowing in and their defence played well”.
Chris Carter homered and Martin Maldonado and pitcher Wily Peralta (7-10) added RBI singles for the Brewers, who took three of four games from the Cubs.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. gave up two home runs, including a grand slam, in the eighth inning Saturday against Milwaukee.
“You’re not going to get many hits against him with the way he’s been pitching this year”, said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. He has walked 21 in his past six starts.
“Fastball command just wasn’t great”, Hendricks said. It’s the same visual in the bullpen, the same visual when you get on the mound. “It shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment”.
A four-single second inning, including three in a row from the bottom of the order, put the Cubs and Hendricks in a 2-0 hole. Overall at-bats: really good. “They’re aggressive, but then they’ll surprise you at times when they’re patient”. He is hitting.244 with 12 home runs in 83 games.
The sole Cubs tally came when Tommy La Stella’s two-out double scooted under Domingo Santana’s glove in center field, scoring Javy Baez from first. Rizzo missed a tying home run when he flied out to the right-field warning track in the seventh.
In Peralta’s last start, he allowed three runs Monday against the Cincinnati Reds in his sixth quality start.
Advertisement
Beyond home-field advantage in the playoffs, Maddon wants to reach 100 victories.
