The Chicago Cubs (12-10) have put an end to the victory run of the Milwaukee Brewers (16-10). The champion of 2016 won the division duel of the NL Central 1-0. After eight victories in a row the Brew Crew had to accept a defeat for the first time.
On an evening dominated by the strong pitching units of both teams, Kyle Schwarber made the only home run of the evening in the sixth inning with one shot into the right field.
Cubs-Ace Kyle Hendricks (4 H, 5 SO) relieved the pitching squad in Chicago with seven innings without an approved run. The rotation had recently come under slight criticism due to mixed performance.
In each of the seven innings, Hendricks sent his first two opposing batteries back to the dugout. “That already felt much more normal today,” said Hendricks. “I didn’t force anything. I felt very comfortable. I think my focus was really good today.”
Hendricks also benefited from a strong performance in the defense. Javier Baez provided a spectacular catch for a flyout, Albert Almora Jr. also shone at an intercepted ball in deep Center Field.
“It was a really tight, well-played match,” said Joe Maddon, Cubs manager. Carl Edwards Jr. and Brandon Morrow took the tight lead on the eighth and ninth innings.
Although Third Baseman Kris Bryant had passed all the tests for a concussion after a frightening head-attack last Sunday, the Cubs continued to forgo the 2016 season’s NL MVP.
“We just want to be sure and decide from day to day,” said Maddon, referring to the lack of personnel. According to the manager, the decision lies more or less with Bryant, who was taken on Sunday by a 96 mph fastball by German Marquez.
“I only listen to what he says. I think he feels fit again, but I don’t want to force anything,” said Maddon. Bryant leads the league in pitches, the 26-year-old has already taken seven of them. Tommy La Stella takes over Bryant’s position in the Infield until further notice.
On Thursday, Maddon decisively rejected criticism of the Cubs’ rotation, especially with regard to new signing Yu Darvish. “The thesis that he doesn’t challenge himself enough is fictitious and false. “This is one of the best pitcher in the world, maybe he’s at a point where things aren’t coming together the way he wants them to.”
Darvish’s record for the current season is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.86. Maddon is planning the Japanese pitcher with Iranian roots, who was given a contract worth 126 million US dollars in the off-season, for the second duel with the Brewers on Friday.
“The whole topic has become a bit too wild,” Maddon noted. “This guy is really, really good. When you sit by his side and see him, it’s breathtaking.”
This article was published without previous view by the Major League Baseball.