Chicago Cubs begin second half with 6-0 win over the Rangers

After closing out the first half of the 2016 campaign with the win, the Chicago Cubs were determined to turn things around following the All-Star break. They managed to take down the Texas Rangers, a team who possess one of the best records in the league.

Shortstop Addison Russell and Matt Szczur helped lift the Chicago Cubs (54-35) to a much-needed series opener win over the Texas Rangers (54-37), helping Kyle Hendricks pick up his first victory since July 4th.

Hendricks (8-6, 2.41 ERA) was acquired from the Rangers in exchange for Ryan Dempster a few years ago and made his big league debut with the Cubbies later on. Dempster also conducted the Seventh Inning Stretch as none other than Harry Caray.

Kyle was absolutely lights out for the Cubs today, holding the Rangers to three hits while issuing two walks, and recording three strikeouts in six innings of work before Carl Edwards Jr. entered the game in the seventh.

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Edwards is another pitcher acquired from the Rangers. Chicago took an early 1-0 lead back in the second inning of the game when Javier Baez lined a pitch out to left field, scoring Russell who tallied their first hit of the second half.

Last year’s Rookie of the Year winner, Kris Bryant started the bottom of the sixth inning with a single and later moved to third on a fly ball to right off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. What looked like a two-run homer bounced off the ivy-covered wall for his 24th double of the year.

They would both come around to score on a two-run single courtesy of Russell. Jason Heyward reached on a fielder’s choice while Willson Contreras crossed home plate on a throwing error by former Milwaukee Brewers’ slugger, Prince Fielder.

Next: Five predictions for the second half

Matt Szczur capped the five-run inning with another two-run single. Rookie outfielder Albert Almora Jr. had a few spectacular defensive plays and ended the game with a catch that turned him around.

Today’s win is absolutely huge for this club that went through a bit of a slump. They now have themselves a two-game winning streak and will square up against two tough pitchers to close out the final two games of this series at Wrigley Field.