Chicago Cubs get to Greinke early; beat Diamondbacks 4-2
The Chicago Cubs were able to crack the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke early as they picked up the 4-2 win on Saturday night behind a strong Kyle Hendricks start.
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The
Chicago Cubsoffense showed itself again early against the Arizona Diamondbacks as they tallied three runs in the first to put the pressure on Zack Greinke. The former
Cy Youngwinner settled in, but the Cubs added one more in the fourth as Kyle Hendricks looked impressive in his season debut.
Ben Zobristcollected three hits for the Cubs in the win.
The Cubs (4-1) guaranteed themselves a winning road trip with the victory. For the second straight game, Greinke (0-2, 9.90) struggled to avoid early trouble–not a good plan against this Cubs offense. After Anthony Rizzo drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single, Kris Bryant‘s hard ground ball got past D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed to score Zobrist. A deep sac fly from Miguel Montero put the Cubs up 3-0, and they would never trail in this game.
Hendricks (1-0, 2.70) continued to build off a strong spring as he pitched into the seventh before being lifted for Adam Warren. Hendricks allowed just two runs on four hits and was in control for the majority of his start. Outside of leaving a few pitches over the plate and a wild pitch, he had D-backs hitters off balance. He struck out five while walking just one.
Cubs’ closer Hector Rondon got his first save chance of the season, and it appeared whatever struggles he had in the spring were long forgotten. It took him just 10 pitches–including two strikeouts–to put away the Diamondbacks in the ninth.
The Cubs will look for the series win tomorrow as reigning Cy Young Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.00) faces off against Shelby Miller (0-0, 9.00).