Contreras Comes up Big in Cubs Win Over Marlins

The Chicago Cubs (48-24) came out swinging on Friday night against the Miami Marlins (39-35), scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Three of the runs came courtesy of the long ball.

First it was Bryant going deep to left field on his first pitch of the game. Next it was Willson Contreras pounding a two-run shot to right field. Willson is slashing .412/.474/.941 with three home runs in 17 at-bats. An impressive start for Contreras to his big league career. And he wasn’t done there.

After Justin Bour blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning to pull even, the game quieted down substantially. The Cubs only managed one more hit until the seventh inning. After a one out walk to Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist hit-by-pitch, Willson Contreras came up and singled – a clutch hit in a high pressure situation – to drive in Bryant for the game winning run.

Cubs beat the Marlins 5-4 (Box Score) in a big game for Willson Contreras.

Stats that mattered

• Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 2.76 ERA) had a rough start – after a throwing error by Addison Russell, back-to-back walks and a grand slam – but settled in nicely afterwards – 5IP, 1H, 4R (zero earned), 4BB, 1HR
• Contreras was everything – 2-for-4, 1R, 3RBIs, 1HR
• Addison Russell has another nice game but, again, no production around him – 2-for-4

Bottom line

The Marlins have been putting up quite a fight in the first two games. The Cubs pulled even on some key situational hitting by Willson Contreras, who seems to be adjusting to big league pitching quite nicely. It will be interesting (and fun, of course) to watch Willson continue to develop as the season moves along.

Next up

The Cubs take on the Marlins in game three of the four-game series. It’s John Lackey taking the ball for the Cubs on Saturday at 3:10 PM CDT.