Hits Just Keep Coming as Cubs Sweep Reds
The Cubs’ lineup must seem like a nightmare to opposing pitchers. The Cubs’ bats are, so far, unstoppable and they provided Jason Hammel with all the offense he needed tonight and then some. Jason pitched a shut-out despite walking four batters. He even threw a runner out at first base on a pick-off throw and that was after issuing the runner, Billy Hamilton, a walk. It seems that even when things go wrong for the Cubs they somehow have a way of going right. Hammel lasted six innings and the Cubs beat the Reds 8-1.
Big plays for the Cubs
Kris Bryant hit his second home run in as many nights. He started the season a bit slow but now seems to be showing signs of picking it up. That thought probably won’t sit well with opposing pitching as the Cubs already lead the league in runs scored. Bryant ended the night hitting 2-for-3 with one walk, two runs and one RBI.
Another Cub who’s just staring to heat things up is Addison Russell. Not only did he provide a dramatic game-winning home run in the first game of this series against the Reds, he’s gotten at least one hit in each game of the series, including tonight as he went 3-for-4 scoring two runs with one RBI.
And then there’s Dexter Fowler, who’s hotter than a box of ants on fire. It’s hard to imagine where the Cubs would be without him this season. He currently leads the league in on-base percentage and, not-so-coincidently, the Cubs also lead the league in OBP as a team. Fowler contributed again tonight by going 3-for-4 with one walk and two runs. Did I mention he’s pretty good and, yes, we’re really glad he came back to the Cubs this year.
Oh, and just for good measure the Cubs’ pitchers keep hitting too. Jason Hammel drove in a run when he doubled off the right field wall scoring Addison Russell from first base in the bottom of the fifth inning. That’s back-to-back nights that Cubs’ pitchers have driven in at least one run. Even the pitchers are driving in runs now, the pitchers!
Final conclusion
Hammel gets the win and the Cubs get the sweep. The bullpen does it’s job, allowing just one run off two hits in three innings of work tonight. The Cubs bats don’t look like they’re cooling down anytime soon. And I’m assuming that the Reds can’t get out of town fast enough after coming in 5-1, they’re now leaving 5-4 after being outscored 22-6 in three games.
Next up
The Cubs play the Rockies in a three-game series, all day games, beginning tomorrow at 1:20 CDT. Kyle Hendricks will take the hill for the Cubs as they try to improve to 9-1.