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Chicago Cubs: Team wastes solid start from Mike Montgomery
By Erik Mauro
Looking to take three-of-four from the Miami Marlins, the Chicago Cubs’ bats came up short in backing Mike Montgomery on Sunday afternoon.
Mike Montgomery took the hill on Sunday afternoon, looking to build off his last start, and put the Chicago Cubs in a position to take their second road series in a row. But a trio of unearned runs in the first proved to be too much to overcome.
The ageless Ichiro Suzuki reached on an error to start the frame. Giancarlo Stanton lined out before Justin Bour walked. Marcell Ozuna singled to open the scoring with an RBI single. Two batters later, Martin Prado plated two more with a double, making it 3-0 Marlins.
Chicago (38-37) got a run back in the fourth. Tommy La Stella and Javier Baez singled to lead off the frame. After a strikeout of Montgomery, Jon Jay singled to load the bases. Anthony Rizzo hit a sacrifice fly, accounting for the first Cubs’ run.
In the fifth, Willson Contreras, in as a defensive replacement early, drew a one-out walk. He then stole second and Miguel Montero followed with a single, putting runners at the corners with one out.
Chicago Cubs
La Stella hit a sacrifice fly to center that looked like it would carry more so than it did, making it 3-2. Montgomery pitched six effective innings, allowing just three unearned runs. The bullpen did its job, minus a Giancarlo Stanton homer against Pedro Strop in the seventh.
Missed opportunities
The Cubs had baserunners galore today, drawing seven walks to go with eight hits. However, none of the hits were for extra bases, which can be a killer in situations like that. In the seventh, Chicago had a golden opportunity.
Ian Happ led off with a single, but was caught stealing on a missed sign. Contreras then walked and Montero singled, putting runners at first and second with one out. La Stella then ended the inning with a harmless double play.
Next: Happ a valuable piece to the Cubs' puzzle
What’s Next
Chicago travels up the coast to take on the Nationals for a four-game series.
Eddie Butler takes the hill tomorrow against Gio Gonzalez. The game starts at 6:10 p.m. CT at Nationals Park.