Thanks to the Big Jack for recapping game 1 of the double header. Game 2 pitts easily rattled John Lackey vs Drew Pomeranz. Now earlier on The Podcast I picked the Cubs to take game 2. I really haven’t heard much out of Drew for awhile, so to my surprise he pitched a great game as did John Lackey.
Lackey would start the game off and retire the first 14 batters he faced through 5 innings. Pomeranz would give up a single in the first to Jason Heyward and Kris Bryant but would get out of the inning with a double play ball. He would walk Baez in the second but would cruise through 4 and put two base runners on in the top of the fifth. As I said, Lackey would retire his first 14 batters but on an 0-1 count to catcher Christian Betancourt would give up a monster home run to left. Betancourt’s eye on the ball out of the playing field would rattle Lackey to give up a single to Pirela but would get out of the inning with out anymore damage.
Lackey would come into the 6th and strike out the first two batters and get Will Meyers to fly out. The seventh inning would also be a 1-2-3 inning for him. Now the Cubs did get a couple base runners in these innings but no one crossed the plate. Lackey would go into the eighth and give up a leadoff single to Betancourt but would get out of the inning.
Brad Hand would come into the bottom of the eighth and strikeout the first two batters but would walk Heyward. With two outs, Kris Brysnt would send one high into the sky shortstop, Alexi Ramirez would at the last second drop it. Anthony Rizzo would walk to load the bases! Two outs, bases loaded, Jorge Soler has the chance to put the Cubs in the lead but goes down swinging.
Travis Wood started the 9th getting Jon Jay to fly out but Maddon would seize the opportunity to bring in Hector Rondon. He would strikeout Meyers and get Matt Kemp to ground out to end the inning. Former Cub, Fernando Rodney would come in for a possible save and would give up a lead off single to Javier Baez. With the infield in, LaStella would send a sharp groundball to third with an opportunity to turn two, they only get the force out at second. Ryan Kalish would pinch hit for Ross and would ground out to second but with Tommy running the double play is broken up. Zobrist with two outs and Tommy on second, he can tie the game. Rodney feeling the pressure goes to a full count but gets former Rays teammate to ground out to him. What a game! Now I know the Cubbies lost but you’ve got to love a pitchers duel.
Lackey would go 8 innings with only 3 hits, 1 run, no walks and 7 strikeouts. Combined for the 9th inning, Wood and Rondon would put no runners on and close out the game. Again they didn’t win, but still a great game to watch. Today just wasn’t thier day and it’s the first time they’ve lost consecutive games this season. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never seen a Cubs team like this!
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