|
 "It starts outside and comes back to catch the corner," the San
Diego Padres manager said Thursday night while describing the pitch
that Chicago Cubs' right-hander Kyle Hendricks used to throw his
first major league shutout and complete game.
Hendricks threw a five-hit shutout and rookie infielders Kris Bryant
and Addison Russell hit home runs as the Cubs defeated the Padres
3-0 in the rubber match of a three-game series at Petco Park.
It was the first shutout and complete game of the 25-year-old
Hendrick's 21-start career -- and his third strong start against the
Padres. He has held the Padres to two runs over 22 innings with 20
strikeouts against three walks.
Hendricks, who evened his record at 1-1 while lowering his ERA to
4.14, pitched beyond the sixth inning for the first time in eight
starts this season and faced only three hitters over the minimum.
"I'm going to remember this one for a long time," said Hendricks.
"It was just one of those days that finally clicked. I'm not going
to say that I needed it, but I kind of did need it. I haven't been
throwing very well. Thank God it finally clicked today.
"I pride myself on going deep in games, so obviously I was not very
happy with those first seven starts."
All five hits off Hendricks were singles, two being infield singles.
Hendricks struck out seven without walking a Padre, throwing 108
pitches with 71 strikes.
The Cubs needed only 2 hours, 8 minutes to defeat the Padres in the
seventh-fastest game of the season.
Third baseman Bryant hit a two-run shot in the first inning before
Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3) retired a hitter. Second
baseman Russell connected while leading off the seventh against
Padres right-handed reliever Dale Thayer.
The Cubs took a 2-0 lead on the game's seventh pitch.
Center fielder Dexter Fowler opened the game by drawing a five-pitch
walk from Despaigne. Bryant, the second overall pick in the 2013
draft out of the University of San Diego, took the first pitch from
the Cuban for a strike then lined the second pitch he saw, a high
curve, 417 feet for his fifth homer of the season -- and his fifth
in the last 12 games.
Bryant was 3-for-11 in his first three back in San Diego.
"San Diego is obviously a special place for me," said Bryant, whose
parents were at the game. "San Diego's going to always be there. I
have a lot of friends here, a lot of coaches who care about me and I
care about them. It's pretty cool to be playing in front of them
again."
[to top of second column] |
Cubs' left fielder Chris Coghlan led off the second with a double,
but never advanced. Catcher Miguel Montero doubled with two out in
the third. And Despaigne gave up two-out singles to Russell and
Starlin Castro in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
But the Cubs were unable to score again against Despaigne, who
worked six innings, allowing the two runs on six hits and two walks
(both to Fowler) with four strikeouts.
"I felt good, one pitch caused all the damage," said Despaigne, who
had given up 15 runs on 20 hits in a total of eight innings in his
two previous starts. "I put in a good week of work," said Despaigne.
"Despaigne made better pitches as the game went on," said Black.
Chicago extended its lead to 3-0 on Russell's third homer of the
season leading off the seventh. The second baseman drove the second
pitch from right-handed reliever Dale Thayer 388 feet into the seats
in left.
Meanwhile, Hendricks retired 11 of the first 12 Padres he faced and
didn't allow a runner to reach second until left fielder Justin
Upton singled with two out in the fourth and stole second. That was
the only Padre who reached second.
"We have a number of guys collectively who are not swinging well,"
said Black. "The Cubs shut us down."
The Padres scored six runs in the three games which ended with their
seventh shutout of the season.
NOTES: Padres RHP Brandon Morrow threw his first bullpen Thursday
afternoon since going on the disabled list May 3 with shoulder
inflammation. ... Cubs hitters are averaging 4.00 pitches per plate
appearance, the highest average in the major leagues. Rookie 3B Kris
Bryant ranks second in the National League with 4.33 pitches per
plate appearance. ... Bryant extended his hitting streak to 10
straight games with his first-inning home run.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
