Cubs Pull Out Scrappy Win, Go For Sweep of Cardinals Tomorrow

The Cubs did what they needed tonight and pulled together a tough win against St. Louis by the score of 2-1 (Box Score). Jason Hammel kept the trend going of Cubs pitchers with quality starts — 13 so far this year. And again, a pitcher contributes offensively, this time Hammel drives in two runs to help himself get the win.

You go, we go

We cannot say enough about Dexter Fowler this year. We wrote about the secret to his hot start earlier today and he did it again tonight. Fowler led off the game with a walk and eventually ended up at third base but didn’t score. He also doubled in the seventh inning but again the Cubs couldn’t drive him in. He ended up going 1-for-3 with two walks. He gets on base and gets involved. Now we all know why Joe tells him, “You go, we go.”

Hammel time

Jason Hammel had an ERA coming into this game of .75. He left the game with a 1.00 ERA, so I guess if you want to nit (kidding, kidding). He’s been great so far this year. In fact, he’s pitching more like a number two pitcher than a four. He now has two wins on the year in three starts.

Defensive Gem

Jason Heyward has been a little cold with the bat lately but his defense is, as always, spectacular. It seems like every game he makes an incredible diving catch or runs a mile to get a ball in the corner or something incredible. Wherever the ball is hit in right field, Heyward is there.

Jason made another great defensive play tonight, this time with his arm. With Cardinal runners on second and third and one out, Yadier Molina hit a fly ball to right field. Heyward came up throwing as Matt Holliday tried to tag up from third. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, this happened (hint: it was a double play):

Next up

The Cubs will go for the sweep over St. Louis tomorrow afternoon (that sounds nice, doesn’t it?). Game time is 12:45 CDT and Kyle Hendricks will be taking the mound for the Cubs.