Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (Simulated Game 36): Cubs 4, Dodgers 3 – Nico Hoerner Takes David Price Deep Win
The Chicago Cubs (24-12) went to extra innings with the Los Angeles Dodgers (25-9), but yet another late home run helped them grab their 10th win in the last 12 games. As always, these results come via MLB The Show 20.
Kyle Hendricks took the mound in Los Angeles facing off against left-hander David Price, who came over in the much talked about trade with the Boston Red Sox that also netted the Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. Hendricks struggled in the 1st inning, serving up a two-run home run to Max Muncy and allowing three runs in total, but the right-hander was able to settle down after that.
The Cubs trailed 3-0 in the 3rd when Steven Souza Jr. started a rally with a leadoff single. Ian Happ flew out and Hendricks bunted Souza over to second base, turning the lineup over and bringing Nico Hoerner to the plate against Price. Hoerner was just recently recalled from Triple-A when Jason Kipnis went to the 10-day IL, and to this point was 0-for-9 with walk with the Cubs.
But with Kris Bryant getting a day off on Monday, manager David Ross went to Hoerner to lead off against the Dodgers. The kid rewarded his manager’s faith in this instance, hitting a fastball from Price deep to center field for his first home run of the season. The two-run shot put the Cubs on the board and cut the Los Angeles lead to just one run at 3-2.
Hendricks went on cruise control after that rough start. Over the next five innings, he allowed no more runs on just two hits with no walks, though he did not strike out a single batter. Overall, Hendricks allowed three runs in six innings. Kyle Ryan tossed a perfect 7th with two strikeouts, keeping the Cubs within one run.
They were able to tie it in the 8th, thanks to a solo shot to right field off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. Pitcher Adam Kolarek was the one on the mound, yet another left-hander to give up a home run to Rizzo this season. But that would be all the Cubs would get in the frame. Jeremy Jeffress came in and pitched the bottom of the 8th and the 9th, striking out three batters and allowing no baserunners.
Blake Treinen pitched a perfect 9th inning but couldn’t keep the Cubs off the board in the 10th. Ian Happ was the first batter to step to the plate, and he launched against the hard-throwing Treinen, drilling a solo homer down the line in right field, just clearing the wall and giving Chicago a 4-3 lead – their first of the game.
That margin was all Craig Kimbrel would need as he faced just three batters in the bottom of the 10th and struck out two of them, earning his 15th save in 16 chances.
Notes: There was some worry among fans about Kimbrel during spring training, but it appears to have been unfounded. He has a 1.44 ERA despite heavy usage early in the season … Ross wouldn’t commit to Hoerner staying on the big league roster once Kipnis is healthy, but he did admit that whoever is performing the best will have the job … Daniel Descalso, who accepted an assignment to Triple-A at the end of spring training, has hit .218 with two home runs in 78 at-bats with Iowa.
Key Players:
Rizzo – 2-for-3, BB, HR, RBI
Happ – 1-for-3, BB, SB, HR, RBI
Hoerner – 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Souza – 2-for-4, R
Muncy – 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Taylor – 2-for-4, R
Price – 6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 4 K
Winning Pitcher – Jeffress (3-1)
Losing Pitcher – Treinen (1-3)
Save – Kimbrel (15)
Home Runs – Rizzo (9), Happ (6), Hoerner (1), Muncy (10)
