Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (Simulated Game 73): Cubs 1, Mets 0 – Quintana Beats Syndergaard on Javy Home Run
The Chicago Cubs (48-25) are back home at Wrigley Field, and nothing has changed from their time in London. Facing off against the New York Mets (30-41), the Cubs collected yet another victory to push their winning streak to three, via MLB The Show 20.
As you can tell from the score, not much happened in this matchup between right-hander Noah “Thor” Syndergaard and left-hander José Quintana. Both men were outstanding, but Quintana was just a bit better.
He shut out the Mets through seven innings, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. Syndergaard also only allowed four hits and one walk in his six strong innings of work, but there was one blemish. With one out in the 4th inning, Javier Báez got a fastball from Syndergaard and took him deep to left field.
The Cubs only had one other serious scoring chance in the 8th against reliever Paul Sewald. Nico Hoerner started the inning with a single, then stole second base ahead of a flyout by pinch-hitter Willson Contreras. Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant both worked walks to load the bases, but Anthony Rizzo grounded back to the mound for a force-out at home and Báez struck out to end the inning.
The dynamic duo of Brandon Morrow and Craig Kimbrel combined to take the 8th and 9th innings, respectively, in relief of Quintana. Morrow set the Mets down in order, striking out one, while Kimbrel walked one and struck out one en route to his 27th save of the season.
Notes: After the game, the Cubs announced a trade to shore up their bullpen. They sent C Jhonny Pereda and 1B Alfonso Rivas to the Houston Astros for RP Chris Devenski (31 G, 39 IP, 40 K, 10 BB, 3.46 ERA). In a corresponding move, the Cubs have sent OF Mark Zagunis back to Triple-A to make room on the roster.
Key Players:
Báez – 2-for-4, HR, RBI
Hoerner – 2-for-3, SB
Quintana – 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 5 K
Syndergaard – 6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 4 K
Conforto – 2-for-4, 2B
Winning Pitcher – Quintana (6-3)
Losing Pitcher – Syndergaard (3-8)
Save – Kimbrel (27)
Home Runs – Báez (18)