After allowing four home runs in his previous start against the Braves on Sunday, the veteran right-hander was in command all the way with a big early lead against the Brewers on Friday.
Kyle Hendricks is back — again.
After a disastrous start against the Braves on Sunday in which he allowed four first-inning home runs — the first pitcher in Cubs history to do that — Hendricks was back to his old self against the Brewers on Friday at Wrigley Field.
The veteran right-hander, given a 6-0 lead after one inning and 10-0 lead after two, allowed two runs on six hits in six innings for his first victory of the season. Hendricks pitched five scoreless innings as the Cubs built an 11-0 lead before he allowed back-to-back home runs to Kolten Wong and Billy McKinney in the sixth inning. Hendricks (1-2) dropped his ERA to 5.68.
“A little bit better,” Hendricks said. “There are definitely more positives to take out of this one. Still a lot of work to do. Still [getting] some hard contact, fastballs that are up, but I at least made some better pitches overall. I have to continue on that road, get my fastball down more with action and just make better pitches.”
Hendricks praised the offense and defense — including a sparkling play by shortstop Javy Baez, who made a diving stop of Keston Hiura’s sharply hit ball to his left and glove-flipped to Nico Hoerner at second to start a double play in the second inning.
“I was able to work on a lot of things today just because we swung it so good and the defense — the play Javy made was unbelievable and [Jason Heyward] running balls down in right was awesome,” Hendricks said. “They gave me the luxury of working on some stuff and it helped.”
Rizzo milestone
Anthony Rizzo’s second-inning home run was his 232nd of his Cubs career — breaking a tie with Gabby Hartnett for seventh place on the Cubs’ all-time home run list. Aramis Ramirez is sixth with 239.
“It’s really amazing,” said Rizzo, who is in his 10th season with the Cubs. “This is a historic franchise. To be seventh, it’s just crazy. The names … ahead of me — I know a few of them and it’s just special. Playing here and having the fans back and playing in front of them — you appreciate every single day being here.”
Bits and pieces
Hoerner went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a walk in his first start since being called up after Joc Pederson was put on the 10-day IL. … Back-up Austin Romine hit an RBI double in the sixth for his first hit as a Cub. … Kris Bryant went 3-for-4 with a double and is hitting .313 with a 1.041 OPS this season.
Miller on IL
Right-hander Shelby Miller was put on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain. Left-hander Kyle Ryan was called up from the Cubs’ alternate site at South Bend. Ryan pitched two scoreless innings in relief Friday, allowing one hit and one walk.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3tNgbDn
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