Jason Hammel made his second straight quality start for the Cubs, allowing just three hits and one walk over seven innings, and striking out six. Those three hits were all homers, which is obviously the one pock on the line. In a more typical three-homer outing, you’re giving up a lot more than three runs.
But, hey, I’ll gladly take the 6/1 K/BB ratio.
Speaking of allowing just solo homers, Pedro Strop got in on the action in the 9th, giving up a couple of his own (on back-to-back meatball pitches, no less). That made things interesting, but the Cubs’ bats had fortunately provided enough breathing room by that point.
As for those bats, it was a hit parade – so much so that it was easy to ignore the fact that the Cubs once again didn’t light it up with runners in scoring position. When you’re hitting frequently for extra bases, you don’t have to. Anthony Rizzo had a great night, getting hits off of lefties and going the opposite way. Starlin Castro hit the ball hard all night, and made a sparkling defensive play. It was just a good game all around on that side of the ball.
And now we get to do more of this …