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After suffering a three-game sweep at Busch Stadium while visiting the first-place St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs were not only able to end their skid, but put together another winning streak as they swept the New York Mets for the second time this season.
Prior to their meeting in New York, the Cubs claimed a four-game set at Wrigley Field which featured two home runs from rookie third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant launched a moonshot to left field, officially christening the newly renovated bleachers that just so happened to be packed with nothing but loyal and excited fans.
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The 23-year-old slugger enters today’s series opener with 10 home runs, which is good for second best for rookies while Los Angeles Dodgers own Joc Pederson leads the charge with 20 under his belt. Bryant does, however, have five more RBI than Pederson.
One spot on this depth chart that played a huge part over the last several days would be the pitching staff as a whole. Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester, and ace right-hander, Jake Arrieta each had stellar outings.
Both Hendricks and Lester worked two scoreless games while Arrieta gave up the only run the Mets would score. He nearly had himself another complete game but was pulled after eight innings of work.
This is someone Joe Maddon definitely needs during this rough and frustrating times where it seems like the Cubs belong at the top of the division, only to play like one of the worst team’s in baseball the next day.
Chicago outscored the Mets 9-1 and received run support from a couple of guys who haven’t made much noise during the first half of the season. Guys like Matt Szczur and Jonathan Herrera had themselves clutch at-bats – Szczur driving in Bryant late in game one of this series and Herrera launching his first home run as a Cub which was a two-run shot.
Catcher Miguel Montero delivered both offensively and defensively by picking off Daniel Murphy at first base then followed that up with the Cubs second two-run blast of the game.
It was his 10th home run of the season and is now only eight big flies away from tying his career-high. He recorded that mark during the 2011 campaign with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Here’s more from around the league:
‘Top 5 Moves of The Brain Trust‘ – Lasorda’s Lair
‘Padres Start Tough Road Trip With MLB-Best Cardinals‘ – Friars on Base
‘A History of the Big A home to the Angels for nearly 50-years‘ – Halos Hangout
‘Mariners Game Recap: M’s Bats go silent in Oakland‘ – SoDo MoJo
‘Jake Arrieta strong as the Cubs sweep the Mets, 6-1‘ – Cubbies Crib