Cubs News: Maddon heaps praise on his team after well-rounded win |
During his postgame press conference on Tuesday, Chicago Cubs manager
Joe Maddon was on cloud nine after the Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies by a final score of 6-3 at Wrigley Field. Maddon praised his entire team for the well-rounded win and was particularly complimentary of starting pitcher
Kyle Hendricks.
"He was hitting the edges really well," Maddon said about Hendricks. "His changeup was outstanding. The arm speed was perfect with that." Hendricks produced an outstanding 7-inning start, in which he struck out 10, and earned his fourth straight winning decision to improve to 6-4 on the season. Hendricks also made an impact with the bat, as he hit a bloop single that drove home a run in the bottom of the second. "He's pitching really well," Maddon added while discussing Hendricks. "He drives in a run. He just had himself a wonderful evening." With one mighty swing of his lumber, @kylehendricks28 puts the #Cubs in front.#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/enNAxVPgUz Maddon was asked about his star shortstop, Javier Baez, and his propensity for pushing himself to the limit during games. Baez has been battling a lingering heel injury in recent weeks, but he showed no restraint when riskily sliding headfirst into the first-base bag in order to accrue an infield single on the night. Although Maddon admitted that he was concerned with Baez's reckless abandon, he said of the headfirst slide, "When guys smell hits, man, they'll do anything to get there." Don't dive for first, please. #ElMago pic.twitter.com/LkbVsOOAr7 Making his second start in a Cubs uniform, right fielder Carlos Gonzalez shined against his former club, as the longtime Rockies outfielder contributed to Colorado's loss by tallying two RBI. Gonzalez has already made a splash just a few days into his Cubs tenure, and Maddon indicated to the media that it could be the start of something special. "He's a professional," Maddon said when asked about Gonzalez. "It's going to be fun watching him blossom as a Cub." CarGo drives in El Mago against his old squad to tie the game! #AuthenticFan Overall, Maddon was jovial and upbeat throughout the media session, seeming very content with how his team has played in its current 2-game winning streak. After enduring a subpar 1-5 showing on their 6-game road trip last week, the Cubs are off to a great start to their 7-game homestand. "That's what we're used to seeing, right there," Maddon said after Tuesday's victory. "That was really a lot of fun to watch." Joe Maddon on Kyle Hendricks and the big win #Cubs pic.twitter.com/3O5WEbG7m3
STREAM: https://t.co/9buSoKCKOA pic.twitter.com/1r1dBtHfvP
