Morning Marquee: Fog settles on Cubs; Astros snap streak

The Chicago Cubs fell to the Cincinnati Reds by the final score of 5-4 in extra-innings Friday afternoon, ending their brief two-game winning streak.

Cincinnati got things going by plating an unearned run off Jason Hammel in the first inning after second baseman Addison Russell was charged with an error.

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There were multiple key errors in the game, the last being a wild throw by rookie third baseman, Kris Bryant in the 10th inning with Todd Frazier in the batter’s box. Frazier had doubled and clubbed a home run earlier in the game and eventually scored on an RBI single by Eugenio Suarez with only one out.

Shortstop Starlin Castro launched a game-tying two-run bomb to left field on a pitch that found itself landing on Waveland Ave. for all the ball hawks hoping for a souvenir. It was his only hit of the day.

Jason Hammel had himself a solid outing despite Cincinnati plating four runs prior to him being pulled. Only two of those four runs were earned, unlike Johnny Cueto who was charged with all four of the runs he had given up.

This Cincinnati team has continued to find ways to win ball games despite missing a handful of key contributors in both the batter’s box and out in the field. Today, both teams will play game three of this four-game set as Kyle Hendricks takes on Mike Leake.

Shortly after Cincinnati shut down the Cubs, the Houston Astros found themselves in a tough division battle with King Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners in town. Well, at least it looked like a tough battle on paper until Hernandez took the mound during the home half of the first.

Houston picked apart Hernandez for eight runs on five hits including two huge home runs, forcing him out of the game after just 1/3 of an inning. One was a three-run shot by former Cubs’ third baseman, Luis Valbuena as the Astros would hit a total of four on the day.

Catcher Jason Castro eventually dealt the final blow on Hernandez, driving a two-run shot to left field which made it an 8-0 game. Rookie shortstop Carlos Correa recorded his first home run at Minute Made Park, second of his career, on a pitch that landed in the bullpen behind the right field fence in the second inning.

First baseman Chris Carter launched his 11th big fly of the season onto the train tracks above the left center field wall in the fifth inning. They’re still waiting for that ball to land.

Here’s more from around the league:

‘Giants drop series opener to Arizona Diamondbacks in shutout‘ – Around The Fog Horn

‘Despite Norris Heroics, Padres Fall to Kershaw, Dodgers‘ – Friars On Base

‘Dodgers beat Padres in series opener‘ – Lasorda’s Lair

‘Esmil Rogers outrighted by New York Yankees‘ – Call To The Pen

‘ASG debate: Miggy or Fielder at first for AL?‘ – MLB.com

Next: Cubs Unable To Escape With Win

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