Once upon a time (the first half of this season), Josh Hader was the most untouchable pitcher in baseball. And although he’s still quite good, the Brewers may have leaned on him a bit too long today.
Down a run in the top of the 8th inning, Ian Happ led off with a walk, before Daniel Murphy and Javier Baez both struck out. Two outs. But just after Happ stole second, Anthony Rizzo became *the first* left-hander to hit a homer off Josh Hader this season. Oh, and it gave the Cubs the lead.
Rizz, you feeling clutch? pic.twitter.com/AsuWyyG2M0
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 3, 2018
“This is a road game!” said Cubs announcer Len Kasper in awe of the cheers after Rizzo’s homer. “Listen to the crowd!”
According to Statcast, Rizzo’s homer traveled 395 feet and left the bat at 104 MPH. Before that homer, lefties had just TWO extra base hits off Hader all year. That was Rizzo’s third hit of the game.
I said he was smoking hot earlier today, and he still is.
Anthony Rizzo is Still Scorching Hot and He’s a Really Good Hitter Too https://t.co/JQzcpXm7EB pic.twitter.com/TP7WxeMXvV
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 3, 2018