Hammel pitches Cubs past Marlins
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[August 03, 2016]
CHICAGO -- Jason Hammel had a
rough start and just one pitch working on Tuesday.
But after loading the bases in the first inning and escaping
unscathed, he settled down to pitch six scoreless innings for his
career-best 11th win as the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 3-2.
"Today I was a one-pitch pitcher," said Hammel (11-5). "I really
didn't have a good feel for any of the breaking pitches, curveball
and the slider and we didn't throw any change ups, (so) the fastball
played well today."
Dexter Fowler gave Hammel and the Cubs a lift, going 3-for-4 with
two runs and factored in all three scores as the Cubs (65-41) won
their third in a row and clinched their fifth consecutive home
series.
Closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a one-two-three ninth with one
strikeout for his 22nd save of the year and second since coming to
Chicago last month.
Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki struck out in a seventh-inning
pinch-hit appearance and remained two hits shy of 3,000 for his
career.
Hammel was pulled for a pinch hitter in the seventh after allowing
just four hits, walking two and striking out three.
He was quick to credit rookie catcher Willson Contreras.
"He basically guided me through that (first inning) because I wasn't
commanding the slider that well," Hammel said. "He has gotten better
every start I've worked with him with the game-calling, blocking and
he's even coming up to me and giving me hugs now. ... He's got wise
words, kind words behind his young ears."
Marlins starter Jose Fernandez (12-6) took his second straight loss.
Miami (57-50) has dropped two straight heading into Wednesday's
series finale at Wrigley Field.
"It doesn't matter how many he gave up, we only put across two
runs," said Miami's Chris Johnson. "But we kept fighting. You've to
tip your hat to Hammel, he kept us off balance and then their
bullpen came in and did a good job."
Miami manager Don Mattingly said Fernandez,
Trailing 3-0 in the seventh, the Marlins broke the shutout as Adeiny
Hechavarria singled home Derek Dietrich off Cubs reliever Pedro
Strop with no outs.
After Suzuki -- who pinch-hit for Fernandez -- struck out, J.T.
Realmuto trimmed the margin to 3-2 with a base hit to right that
drove in Johnson.
Strop struck out Martin Prado for a second out and was replaced by
left-hander Travis Wood, who got out of the inning thanks to a
diving catch by left fielder Chris Coghlan.
Fernandez allowed three runs on eight hits, walked two and struck
out eight over six innings.
"He threw a lot of pitches there in the fifth and it looked like he
wore down a bit in that inning," Mattingly said. "He threw
30-something that inning and that kind of put him in harm's way.
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Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws against the Miami
Marlins during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit:
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Giancarlo Stanton and Dietrich each had two hits to pace Miami.
Miami loaded the bases in the top of the first but came up empty
when Dietrich grounded to Hammel.
The Cubs grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning as Fowler
led off with a triple to right and scored on Contreras' infield
single.
Chicago added a run in the third. Fowler scored from third base on a
fielder's choice as Anthony Rizzo sent a one-out pop fly to left
that was followed by a throw to first that allowed Fowler to come
home.
Fowler beat a subsequent relay to the catcher.
He collected an RBI with his third hit of the night in the fifth,
scoring Coghlan from second for a 3-0 lead.
NOTES: Miami OF Ichiro Suzuki was not in the starting lineup for the
second straight night and remained two hits from 3,000 for his
career. He appeared as a pinch hitter on Monday but grounded out.
... Marlins manager Don Mattingly said he'll switch RHP David Phelps
from the bullpen to spot starter at least for Friday's opener of a
three-game weekend series at Colorado. ... Miami sends RHP Tom
Koehler (8-8, 4.18 ERA) against Chicago RHP John Lackey (8-7, 3.69)
in a Wednesday afternoon game that wraps up the series for the
season. ... The Cubs have a .994 fielding percentage since the
All-Star break, tops in the National League and second behind
Baltimore's .995 in the majors. ... 1B Anthony Rizzo had a single,
double, triple, walk and hit by a pitch on Monday, making him the
first Cub with that distinction since 1913. ... Chicago added RHP
Joe Smith to the roster. He was acquired Monday via trade with the
Los Angeles Angels. The Cubs optioned RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A
Iowa.
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