Cubs News and Notes: KB injury update, Montgomery down, RIP Buckner, more |
Next Game: Today, 7:10 PM CDT: Cubs @ Astros. LHP Jon Lester (3-3, 2.68 ERA) vs RHP Corbin Martin (1-1, ERA).
Monday’s Game Recap: Another day, another inter-league series, as the Cubs began a three-game set in Houston yesterday. The pitching matchup read “Hamels vs. Cole,” which initially sounded to me like some sort of interpersonal struggle for the Cubs lefty- boy, did that come to fruition. Hamels has been a stud since joining the Cubs, but these last few outings have been nothing short of horrendous. Yesterday, Hamels lasted only 4.0 innings (and that, in itself, was a task). Hamels kept the Astros silent in the first, but they managed to score a run in the second before blasting him for five runs in the third. Hamels ended up allowing six earned runs on seven hits, issued four walks, and fanned nobody in the outing (first time this has occurred for him since 2008). He did manage to keep the ball in the park, which is more than I can say for his ERA, which now stands at 4.02. Despite a healthy start and a healthy comeback attempt in the ninth, the Cubs couldn’t find any substantial offensive filler in the middle. Kyle Schwarber grabbed a leadoff walk to open the game, then after Javier Baez fanned, Anthony Rizzo promptly delivered a moon shot to put the Cubs up 2-0. The Cubs would go quiet until the seventh when they managed to tack on a run, but a would-be rally fell short. Moving to the ninth, it was Albert Almora, Jr. and Addison Russell to the rescue, producing back to back, solo shots. After David Bote’s single, the Cubs managed to bring the tying run to the plate, but it would end on Javy’s fifth strikeout of the game. Final score: 6-5, Astros. Cubs/Astros Probable Pitchers: WEDNESDAY: RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.34 ERA). LHP Wade Miley (4-2, 3.51 ERA). Are we seeing a World Series preview in this week's @Cubs vs. @astros series? pic.twitter.com/LOo4JaIz5o
Make room for Adduci: Before yesterday’s game, the Cubs optioned reliever, Tim Collins, and promoted OF/1B Jim Adduci. Adduci has been killing it in Iowa recently. Over the eight games for the I-Cubs, Adduci has batted .429 (12 for 28), with three homers and 11 RBI, including a six-RBI game on Sunday. Adduci is no stranger to the majors, as he played a part of four seasons with Texas (2013-2014) and Detroit (2017-2018). In his MLB career (149 games), Adduci has batted .235 with 18 doubles, five homers, and 39 RBI. Adduci will wear #33 in Chicago. Montgomery injury: The Cubs; bullpen suffered another casualty yesterday, as Mike Montgomery sustained some an injury to his left middle finger (I know what you’re thinking and no… he wasn’t giving Astros’ fans the “You’re #1 sign…). Monty left the pen and took the mound to start the fifth, but without ever even throwing a warmup pitch, Willson Contreras signaled for the dugout. Montgomery was replaced immediately by Kyle Ryan, with Monty retreating to the clubhouse for an assessment by the Cubs’ trainer. Condolences: Ironically, just a few days ago, I mentioned the anniversary of the trade that sent first-baseman, Bill Buckner, from the Cubs to Boston; today I was saddened to learn of his passing. Playing for the Cubbies from 1977 until part-way through the 1984 season, Billy Buck (as he was nicknamed) was a childhood hero of mine. I loved to see him play at Wrigley when my dad took me to games, and not a sandlot game went by when I wasn’t pretending to be that man, each time I stood at the plate. I suppose Buckner wasn’t a bad hero to have for a young kid, after all, he slashed .300/.332/.439 over his tenure with the Cubs. Bucker was also a four-time MVP nominee (3x with Chicago, once when he played for the Dodgers) and was an All-Star (Cubs) in 1981. For his career, Bill Buckner played a total of 22 seasons (1969 to 1990). KB, J-Hey injury update: After Sunday’s collision in right-center field, neither Kris Bryant nor Jason Heyward got the start in Houston yesterday. Bryant remains under observation for an undisclosed injury, while Jason Heyward was benched for hip soreness. The good news is that Heyward and KB (per Joe’s clubhouse batting order memo) were listed as “also eligible.” Kris Bryant out for @cubs opener vs @astros pic.twitter.com/qMJsyjWAEW
Anthony Rizzo: The Rizz took another step toward his next milestone yesterday, as he belted his 205th homer as a Cub. With that blast, Rizzo moved into a tie with Bill Nicholson, for eighth-most homers in franchise history. .@ARizzo44 homers in the 1st. #TeamRizzo pic.twitter.com/Yo1K9LYYY8
Cubs/Cards Probable Pitchers: Friday, 7:15 PM: RHP Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.40 ERA) vs RHP Mile Mikolas (4-5, 4.76 ERA). Saturday, 7:15 PM: LHP Jose Quintana (4-3, 3.73 ERA) vs RHP Jack Flaherty (4-3, 3.77 ERA). Sunday, 1:15 PM: LHP Cole Hamels (4-1, 4.02 ERA) vs RHP Adam wainwright (4-4, 4.82 ERA). Cub Birthdays: Celebrating yesterday, were ex-Cubs Todd Hundley (50) and posthumously, Jerry Kindall (84) and Jimmy Hallinan (170). Also celebrating was “the voice of the Cubs,” Mr. Pat Hughes, who turned 64. Wishing a very happy birthday to the radio voice of the Chicago Cubs, Pat Hughes!#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/l1OIiO9SXw
(Wins are in green, losses in red) CUBS NEWS AND NOTES:
NL CENTRAL SCHEDULE (May 26 – June 1, 2019)
NL CENTRAL SCOREBOARD/STANDINGS
