Cubs, Arrieta Deliver Knock Out Blow to Dbacks, Win Series 3-1 (Video)
The Chicago Cubs are relentless. They come at you in every inning, challenging every pitch, looking for any advantage that will help them win the game. Just ask the Diamondbacks and their fans. They know, and are glad they won’t be seeing the Cubs again until June 3rd. Jake Arrieta proved today that he truly can do it all. He hit a monster 440 foot home run in the second inning and then went out and won his second game of the season, a 7-3 Cubs victory (Box Score).
Arrieta held the Dbacks at bay and was in control for most of the seven innings he pitched. He allowed eight hits and three runs while striking out six batters. Two of the Dbacks three runs came off solo home runs. Arizona could only manage to get two runners in scoring position against Jake today. An outstanding performance by Jake to close out the road trip.
Big plays for the Cubs:
The big plays started when Jake Arreita bombed a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. The crowd, who seemed to be mostly Cubs fans, roared as soon as it left the Jake’s bat:
In the top of the fourth inning, Miguel Montero hit a hard, deep ball to center field that narrowly missed leaving the park, bounded off the wall and scored Tommy La Stella, as ‘Miggy’ glided into second base with a stand-up double. Montero went 2 for 3 with two walks, a run scored and one RBI. It was a solid performance for him as he played against his former team.
Jorge Soler again showed us all how much potential he has when he smoked a high fastball deep over the left field wall for his first home run of the year. He also had a sacrifice fly to drive in Jason Heyward on a deep ball hit to right field. It’s good to see Jorge contributing and perhaps it’s the beginning of what many hope is a breakout season for him.
The Cubs scored two more runs on RBI singles from La Stella and Heyward.
Bullpen matters:
We can’t say enough about the performance of the Cubs bullpen to start the season. Over the first six games, the Cubs bullpen pitchers have pitched thirteen innings, given up a mere five hits, only two runs, one walk and fourteen strikeouts. To say they’ve been dominant would be an understatement.
Neil Ramirez came in for the ninth inning today and his stuff was just electric. His fastball was in the mid-90’s and, while narrowly making the Cubs final 25-man roster to start 2016, looked like a pitcher that is going to fit nicely in the Cubs bullpen this year.
Next up:
The Cubs travel home to newly renovated Wrigley Field tomorrow where their spectacular new clubhouse awaits. Jon Lester will take the mound against Brandon Finnegan for the Reds, who’ve started the season at 5-1. Game time is 7:05 CDT.