Jake Arrieta works complete game; J.D. Martinez hits 3 HRs

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta worked himself a complete game gem in Minnesota during the 8-0 win over the Twins on Father’s Day and helped his club gain some ground on the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Arrieta received early run support in the third inning when Starlin Castro drove in first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 1-0. Rizzo, the team’s top All-Star hopeful, launched his third home run of the series on a towering fly ball that found itself landing in the grassy area behind the center field wall.

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Both teams would fail to record a run until the eighth inning when rookie Kyle Schwarber extended Chicago’s lead to four on a two-run single to left field. Schwarber sat in the batter’s box with the bases-loaded and found themselves having the bags loaded with Cubs for the second time in the inning when Addison Russell worked a six-pitch walk.

Outfielder Dexter Fowler launched his eighth home run of the season just a batter later, a grand slam to right field that made it 8-0. Miguel Montero kept things going with two outs by recording a single to right fielder, Torii Hunter.

Yesterday’s win put the Cubs just one game behind the second-place Pirates in the N.L. Central as both teams at the top of the division suffered losses to end the weekend.

It was a special day for a handful of men who took the field on Father’s Day, especially Detroit Tigers’ J.D. Martinez. Martinez, 27, clubbed the New York Yankees for three home runs and six RBI during the 12-4 victory in the Bronx. 

It was reported that his Father asked for a home run and as you can see in the paragraph above, received two additional big flies from his son in the win. His first home run came during the top of the first following a Victor Martinez two-run shot, the second two-run bomb off Masahiro Tanaka who was absolutely hammered in this outing.

His first home run came during the top of the first following a Victor Martinez two-run shot, the second two-run bomb off Masahiro Tanaka who was absolutely hammered in this outing.

Martinez recorded his 15th home run in the fifth and launched his 16th in the next inning. Detroit plated four runs in the first and another five in the fifth inning.

Meanwhile, Tanaka gave up five earned runs on 10 hits including three long balls prior to being pulled after the fifth inning. Detroit’s win ended their four-game losing streak.

Here’s more from around the league:

‘Tigers and J.D. Martinez use multiple homers to club Yankees‘ – Motor City Bengals

‘Houston Astros salvaged series finale with 6-2 win vs Seattle‘ – Climbing Tal’s Hill

‘Cleveland Indians sign Jarrett Grube from Mexican League‘ – Call To The Pen

‘Nationals recap: Nats explode for nine runs to back Gio Gonzalez‘ – District On Deck

‘Chicago Cubs’ Chris Denorfia flying under the radar‘ – Cubbies Crib

Next: Fowler Powers Cubs To 8-0 Win