Same goes for the Cubs, who, thanks in large part to their 35-year-old second baseman, found themselves 20 games north of.
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A mental error and Kyle Hendricks’ seventh and final strikeout cost him what would have been his second career shutout Saturday during the Cubs’ 4-1 victory against the Phillies at Wrigley Field. Half of those 22 teams lost in the Division Series. The surprising Phillies look to continue their strong start when they open a three-game road series against the Cubs on Friday.
The Cubs, meanwhile, are 41-16 in their last 57 home games and are a flawless 6-0 in their last six games versus the National League East. They’re also 60-21 in their last 81 games coming off a win, are 45-19 in their last 64 games overall, and are 65-27 in their last 92 games versus a right-handed starter. Lackey (5-2) earned his first win since May 6 as he struck out six, walked four and gave up a seventh-inning solo home run. It’s just one of those personal goals that got out. When he gets out it’s more of a surprise right now.
As a result, Zobrist is trying not to think too far ahead.
Ortiz’s 13th home run of the season and league-leading 46 RBI had seemed to be enough for the Red Sox, who watched an 8-4 lead disintegrate in the eighth inning as the Blue Jays rallied to tie the score. 451 OPS, they’re hard to get out of his mind. “But again, I had to tell myself that much more just keep it simple, stay within myself and just make pitches”.
“He was thinking I said something so I wanted the ball, ” Heyward said.
What would you do for a home run ball? Lately, I haven’t had to do that. 500 until August 23 last season.
The big home runs helped the Cubs win their third straight after dropping eight of 12.
Or like Lackey did during his two World Series-winning seasons. “There’s still a long way to go, but the potential to do something special is there”. The pitcher touched the brim of his cap, not quite the tip that Ross had returned to the cheers, but the fans were just as pleased.
The Phillies flew home Sunday night and will limp into Memorial Day with five runs in their last three games.
“It felt like that game was in the bag early because of the way he was pitching”, Zobrist said of Lackey.
Zobrist became the first Cubs player to collect 40 hits in May since Alfonso Soriano in 2008.
Fowler sparked a two-run first against Jerad Eickhoff (2-7) with his sixth home run.
The wind was blowing out Sunday, though from a different direction than Saturday: west instead of southwest, though Miguel Montero’s homer to left [VIDEO] that hit the bottom of the right-field video board didn’t appear to need any assistance from the breeze.
“Now the next goal is 25, ” manager Joe Maddon said.
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“I haven’t heard anything about sitting more against righties”, Howard said.
