The Cubs, however, snapped a five-game losing streak on Sunday with a victory, beating the Pirates 6-5. “You have to find a way to win the game”.
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“As we get well, we’re going to have another nice run in the second half”.
Cubs: OF Dexter Fowler (hamstring) isn’t expected back before the end of next week. “They”ve got a good offense, but I haven”t dissected or looked at their pitching.”.
Starters Derek Holland (shoulder) and Colby Lewis (lat) now are on the disabled list along with Darvish.
Rizzo’s assessment might be an overstatement because the Cubs’ slump could also be attributed to a series of injuries, fatigue through a stretch playing 24 consecutive games and the end of a run of exceptional pitching especially by reigning Cy Young Award victor Jake Arrieta that would be hard to perpetually sustain. Winning 97 games and two playoff rounds past year – plus an offseason splurge on free agents that cost nearly $290 million – equaled the game’s most dominant team.
“It just brings that sense of comfort to the team and gives you a jump-start for the whole Series”, Hosmer said after homering, driving in two runs and earning the MVP Award in the American League’s 4-2 win over the Nationals.
Rangers RHP Yu Darvish (2-0, 2.87 ERA) returns from the disabled list and starts Saturday against Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (7-5, 3.46). We have to get some guys locked back in.
BASEBALL’S ALL-STAR Game drew a record-low television rating for the second straight year.
Hendricks is 8-6 with a 2.41 ERA this season and 23-15 with a 3.18 ERA in his major league career with the Cubs. He’s 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA at home.
Martin Perez went for Texas and was strong through the first five innings until he ran into trouble in the sixth.
Neither starter has ever faced the opposing team.
Kyle Hendricks and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Addison Russell had a two-run single to key a five-run sixth, and the Chicago Cubs beat the visiting Texas Rangers 6-0 on Friday in a matchup of slumping division leaders. Unfortunately, that comeback was stalled by a shoulder injury, sending Darvish back to the disabled list.
The right-hander from Japan has made only three starts this season for the Rangers after missing all of the 2015 season because of Tommy John surgery.
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Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. provided a defensive gem when he chased and dove to catch a Ryan Rua flyball in the fourth inning with one out and a runner at first. By mid-May, Desmond was the everyday centre fielder and this week was the only Texas position player at the All-Star game. Chicago also has a three-game trip to Oakland (Aug. 5-7). The Rangers were also struggling leading into the break, dropping nine of their last 12, but they remain 5 1/2 games ahead of second-place Houston.
