Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (Simulated Game 65): Cubs 3, Reds 2 – Hendricks, Báez Power Cubs to Another Win
The Chicago Cubs (43-22) bounced back from a frustrating loss to the Cincinnati Reds (41-23) on Thursday to take a close game on Friday and even the four-game series at one win apiece. Kyle Hendricks pitched very well over seven innings and Javier Báez launched two home runs to power a 3-2 win, via MLB The Show 20.
It’s no secret that Hendricks struggled early in the season. He had a 5.40 ERA going into his start on May 31, but has lowered that to 4.68 over his last two starts, both against the Reds. In this one, he went seven innings with just one earned run allowed on five hits allowed and two walks with five strikeouts.
The Cubs got going early against right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Kyle Schwarber lined a one-out single to center field in the 1st inning ahead of Báez, who launched a two-run homer into the seats in right-center.
Still ahead 2-0 in the 3rd, Báez came up with one out and nobody on against DeSclafani. This time, Javy demolished a fastball and sent it deep to left field. The ball went 445 feet, one of Báez’s longest home runs of the season, and landed in the upper deck to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead, which is all they would need.
Hendricks allowed his only run in the 6th inning. Shogo Akiyama came in to pinch hit for Desclafani, singled to left, moved to second on a Travis Jankowski base-hit, went to third on a hit from Jesse Winker, and scored on a Joey Votto groundout to first base.
The Reds got their second run of the game in the 8th against Brandon Morrow, who has otherwise been stellar in his setup role since coming off the IL in May. Morrow surrendered doubles to Jankowski and Winker to allow the Reds to pull to within 3-2, but he and Craig Kimbrel would slam the door shut from there. Kimbrel pitched a one-two-three 9th inning for his 23rd save of the season.
Key Players:
Báez – 2-for-4, BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Schwarber – 2-for-5, R
Bote – 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2B
Hendricks – 7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 5 K
Jankowski – 2-for-4, 2B, R
Winker – 2-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI
Akiyama – 1-for-1, R
Winning Pitcher – Hendricks (6-3)
Losing Pitcher – DeSclafani (5-5)
Save – Kimbrel (23)
Home Runs – Báez 2 (16)
