Cubs blanked by Rockies in series finale |
DENVER -- The Cubs were nearly no-hit today and were eventually defeated 3-0. German Marquez (1-2, 4.88 ERA) shut down the struggling Cubs lineup to come away with his first win of the year. He becomes just the fifth Rockies pitcher ever to record six or more no-hit innings at Coors Field.
Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.40 ERA) was charged with the loss, but he pitched incredibly well, almost matching Marquez’s pace. Though he gave up a few hits in the early going, the only run the Rockies got off of him until the seventh inning was a long sacrifice fly from converted shortstop Ian Desmond. In the seventh, Hendricks allowed a couple of singles with one out. Joe Maddon opted to turn to Carl Edwards Jr. to finish out the inning, but the usually reliable righty gave up a single to the pitcher which plated two more runs for insurance. Those runs, charged to Hendricks, raised his ERA by 45 points. Kris Bryant broke up the no-no in the top of the seventh on a screaming line-drive to the left field wall. Although there were no outs, the Cubs hitters failed to bring him in. They also had a chance in the top of the eighth after Tommy La Stella and Ben Zobrist hit back-to-back singles with one out. Again, nothing materialized. The loss puts the Cubs back at .500 (17-17) and in fourth place in the division. The Cubs finished up their series with the Rockies and have an off day Thursday before playing their rival, the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game set over the weekend. Breet Anderson would have been slated to start the Cardinals series, but since he is on the disabled list, Maddon will have to find a different pitcher. It is unknown whether Jon Lester will move up a day or if the team will call up another minor league pitcher. The Cardinals will send out Mike Leake (4-1, 1.79 ERA) on Friday. The game is scheduled for an 8:15 PM EDT start.