One could say the Cubs had a “rocky” back end to the homestand, however, they ended it 4-2, and in command of the NL Central. The Cardinals stand two games behind with a 7-5 record, along with Pittsburgh whom are 7-6 and 2.5 games back.
The Big Story(s)
Offense, Lots of Offense…
The Cubs started off the homestand with three straight high-scoring affairs, averaging 7.3 runs per game, including nine in game two, to sweep the at-the-time division leading Reds. However, they must have wasted all their runs for the first three games, because it was a different story during the next three.
…Hitting Woes? Cubs? Twice in the Same Homestand?
The Cubs were being no-hit through the sixth inning of not one, but two games of the homestands. They came back to beat the Reds after breaking up the no-hit bid in the seventh inning during game one. However, in the last game against the Rockies, the Cubs were down to their final two outs.
The Home Stand Recap
Monday, April 11th: Chicago Cubs (6-1) 5, Cincinnati (5-2) 3
The Reds went up early, scoring in the first inning on a force out by Brandon Phillips that scored Zack Cozart from third base. They would get another in the third inning on a Billy Hamilton solo shot to left, and again in the fourth inning on a single by Brandon Finnegan. The Cubs, who trail now 3-0, would respond in the seventh inning, on a Jason Heyward single that would score both David Ross and Matt Szczur. Down by one, the Cubs would hit a devastating 3-run no-doubter by Addison Russell in the bottom of the eight inning to seal the deal.
Wednesday, April 13th: Chicago Cubs (7-1) 9, Cincinnati (5-2) 2
Chicago would blowout the Reds in an easy win, scattering hits throughout the lineup. After the Reds scored an early run on a sac fly by Jay Bruce in the first, the Cubs would jump on Alfredo Simon in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs on a Kris Bryant walk, singles by Miguel Montero, Russell, and John Lackey, and a sacrifice fly by Jorge Soler. They wouldn’t stop there, scoring two more on a Heyward single in the third inning, and again on a solo shot by Bryant in the fourth inning. Montero would score later that inning on a wild pitch by Keyvius Sampson. The Reds would try to rally in the seventh inning getting a run on a force out, but their attempts wouldn’t be enough, losing 9-2.
Thursday, April 14th: Chicago Cubs (8-1) 8, Cincinnati (2-3) 1
The Cubs would win by a big margin again in the final game of the series. Bryant would start the scoring off in the second inning by hitting his second solo home run in as many days. A two-run fifth inning on a Heyward double and a sacrifice fly by Ben Zobrist would give the Cubs a 3-0 lead through five innings. Russell would kick off a five run eighth inning, sending Bryant home on a single. Szczur would walk in another run, along with a Dexter Fowler single that would score two, and a Heyward sacrifice fly. Again, some late inning attempts by the Reds wouldn’t be enough as they score one on a fielder’s choice. Cubs beat the Reds 8-1.
Friday, April 15th: Colorado (6-4) 6, Chicago Cubs (8-2) 1
The Rockies best the Cubs in the weekend series opener 6-1. The Colorado Rockies start the scoring off first in the second inning with a single to center field by Ben Paulsen. They would score two more in the sixth inning on a single by Gerardo Parra and a double play ground out by Ryan Raburn. They would get yet another one in the seventh inning on a bunt single and a throwing error by 3rd baseman Bryant. After scoring four unanswered, the Cubs would finally get their first run of the series on a ground out by Tommy La Stella. The Rockies would answer in the next half inning with two runs, both on force outs by Tony Wolters and DJ LeMahieu. The Cubs would commit a season high four errors throughout the game.
Saturday, April 16th: Chicago Cubs (9-2) 6, Colorado (6-5) 2
The Cubs would tie the series 1-1 with a 6-2 victory in which the Jake Arrieta would dominate the Rockies lineup, pitching eight shutout innings. He would only give up five hits, one walk, and strike out eight on his way to his third win of the season. The Cubs got two runs in the fourth inning on homeruns by Anthony Rizzo and Soler on back-to-back pitches. A three-run homerun by Fowler in the seventh inning would break this game open for Arrieta and the Cubs. Ross would drive in the final run for the Cubs on a sacrifice fly to right field, in which Javier Baez would score. Baez would make his debut after starting the season on the 15-day DL. Baez would go 2-for-4 and score a run. The Rockies get two runs off of Travis Wood in the ninth inning on a Carlos Gonzalez homerun, but it wouldn’t be enough as they lost the game.
Sunday, April 17th: Colorado (7-5) 2, Chicago Cubs (9-3) 0
The rubber match of the series would be a pitching battle between Chicago Cubs lefty, Jon Lester, and the Colorado Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood. The only scoring in the game would come from the powerful right-handed 3rd baseman, Nolan Arenado, as he hit two solo homeruns, one in the fourth inning and one in the ninth inning. Lester would pitch 7 and 1/3 innings, giving up just four hits, one being the homerun. Chatwood would get the 2-0 win behind seven innings of shutout baseball, giving up just two hits.
Article was co-written by Taylor Weber
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