The right-hander retired 14 straight at one point in becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win 20 games since Jon Lieber in 2001. ESPN Stats & Info pointed out Arrieta’s shutout lowered his ERA since August. 4 to a stunning 0.48, which is the fourth-best mark in a 10-game stretch since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913.
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So, yeah, he’s been pretty good. It’s just incredible what he’s done in this second half.
The Wrigley Field crowd stood on its feet and roared as Arrieta worked a one-two-three ninth that included two strikeouts. But outside of singles by Hernan Perez in the fifth and by Khris Davis in the seventh, the Brewers couldn’t touch the Cubs ace.
Before the game, a small petting zoo was set up in the left-field corner for players to enjoy with their families.
Despite the impressive accomplishment, Arrieta already had his eyes on his next start after the brief celebration, per Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago: “I know the results have been good, but I don’t dwell on it for too long, because tomorrow I’m getting ready for Pittsburgh”. “You have to give him credit. It’s just one of those things that doesn’t happen often, but you try to appreciate when they do”.
After breaking the Cubs’ rookie record for RBI a few days ago, Bryant broke the franchise’s rookie record for home runs on Tuesday.
“When a guy gets that opportunity and eventually does that, that’s something you can never take way from him”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of the increasingly rare 20-win season in an age of five-man rotations and pitch counts.
Dexter Fowler scored on the play.
The Mariners hit five home runs, scoring all their runs in the first four innings.
“Infield is OK”, Starlin Castro, an infielder for the Cubs said. He went 0-for-2 in his debut after being called up from Double-A Biloxi earlier in the day.
The Chicago Cubs continue to roll through the Major League Baseball and they’re doing it in style behind Kris Bryant and Jake Arrieta.
Chicago RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 4.22) faces Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (1-2, 6.00).
Harang (6-15) allowed seven hits, two walks and two runs in seven innings, shutting down the Marlins) in a battle between two of the worst teams in baseball. Starter Tyler Cravy fell to 0-8 with a pair of runs given up on three hits over four frames with Kyle Lohse and Corey Knebel allowing a run each.
TWINS 3, INDIANS 1 Ervin Santana pitched strong into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks and Brian Dozier each had two hits and an RBI from the top two spots in host Minnesota’s lineup, and the Twins beat Cleveland to start a critical series for the American League wild card chasers.
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The Brewers continue their final road trip of the season in St. Louis Thursday through Sunday before going to San Diego for three games September 29-Oct. 1.
