That was a fun one to watch from the bleachers, as Javy Baez kicked things off immediately with a two-run homer right to where me and the BN crew were sitting today (about 10 rows in front of us, on a line), and then Cole Hamels pretty much took care of the rest.
Hamels wound up going 8.0 scoreless innings, striking out 10, while allowing just three hits and one walk. It was an overwhelming performance from a guy who just faced this team in his last start, and overwhelmed them then, too.
Although Pedro Strop gave up a solo homer into the basket in his save, it was a three-run situation with the bases empty, and I’d sure rather see that than any walks.
Offensively, the Cubs would have done a little more damage if not for a weird, flukey play at the plate on Anthony Rizzo (a play I’m very happy wound up not mattering in the final accounting). Whatever. Deploy some more of that offense tomorrow.