Hendricks dominates again as Cubs shut out the Pirates |
CHICAGO -
Anthony Rizzo got things going early for the Cubs with a 2-run homer in the first and another amazing pitching performance by
Kyle Hendricks helped the Cubs win 3-0 against the Pirates Tuesday evening. With the win the Cubs improved their record to 84-47 on the season and now have 21 wins in the month of August.
Anthony Rizzo hit a line shot to earn his 26th home run in the first inning to quickly put the Cubs on top 2-0. Rizzo now has 93 RBIs on the season which is the most among N.L. first basemen. The Cubs struck again in the second as Miguel Montero had an RBI single putting the Cubs ahead 3-0. Montero then threw out Starling Marte as he was trying to steal second in the 5th, as the Pirates struggled to get base runners and keep them on base. The Pirates didn’t receive their first hit of the game until the 5th. Hendricks (13-7) pitched 7 innings and allowed only 3 hits and no runs to the Pirates. He lowered his ERA to 2.09, still the best in the league. Hendricks could become the first Cubs pitcher to win the major league ERA title since Bill Lee in 1938. Hendricks also improved to 9-1 with a 1.21 ERA (12 ER/89.1 IP) in 14 games at Wrigley Field this season. Aroldis Chapman was able to get the last 3 outs of the game for his 31st save. The Cubs will play game three of the series against the Pirates tomorrow evening as Jason Hammel will face off against Ryan Vogelsong.
