La Stella Does it All, Cubs Hammer Reds to Win Series 3-1
Tommy La Stella stepped in for Dexter Fowler today in the lead off position and he picked up right where Dex left off. Tommy went 3-for-5 including two doubles and a home run. He scored three runs and had one RBI. Add that performance to Jason Hammel’s stellar day where he went six innings giving up three hits and striking out seven. Jason’s ERA is now at .75 for the year.
The Cubs cruise to the win today 9-0 (Box Score).
The hits just keep on comin’
The Cubs bats got a big-time work out again today. This is the seventh time this season the Cubs have scored 8+ runs and the fifth time against the Reds. Anyone wanna play the Reds more? I do.
Jason Heyward is officially out of his slow start. He went 4-for-5 (a double and three singles) with three RBIs, one run, one stolen base and one caught stealing. It’s the third straight game that Heyward stole a base. I love seeing his aggressiveness on the bases, especially since the Cubs don’t have that many players that are a threat to steal a base. As we mentioned this morning, Jason’s been on base at least two times in every game this series against the Reds. That’s good and Cubs fans have just one more thing to be excited about.
Anthony Rizzo had another great game today with two home runs. He’s got the makings of a monster season if he keeps hitting the way he has so far. He has eight home runs and twenty-one RBIs this season, which is in the top two in the Majors for both categories (pending today’s results).
Closing time
The bullpen stepped in to close this one out today. Adam Warren, Travis Wood and Hector Rondon each pitched one inning and combined for no hits and five strikeouts. After the tough day yesterday, it’s good to see the bullpen settle down and close this one out with no issues.
Next up
The Cubs have a well-deserved day off tomorrow before they open a six game home stand starting with the Brewers on Tuesday. Kyle Hendricks will pitch for the Cubs on Tuesday at 7:05 PM CDT at Wrigley Field.