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Hello, Houston? The Chicago Cubs launched a few baseballs into orbit tonight against the Cincinnati Reds. Home field advantage is in their sights and they are not holding up. No mercy from this young club who hammered the visiting team.
Last night’s win over the Reds was amazing but tonight’s contest was absolutely satisfying to watch. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great watching this Chicago Cubs (97-55) but it feels better when they pour it on.
It doesn’t happen all that often, so we are able to enjoy it while we can. Tonight, the offense got off to a fast start with veteran right-hander John Lackey on the mound. Speaking of Lackey, he had a solid night for the Cubs.
Lackey (10-8, 3.39 ERA) received an early 2-0 lead in the first inning courtesy of infielder’s Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez.
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Zobrist singled out to left field, scoring Dexter Fowler and later advanced to third on Javier’s RBI knock. A base hit that drove in first baseman, Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo reached on an infield single of his own prior to Zobrist stepping into the batters box.
Despite giving their pitcher an early advantage, the Reds (63-88) responded by tying the game at two in the second. Cincinnati got on the board with Steve Selsky‘s second double of the year who later rounded third on a single.
From then on, it was nothing but the Chicago Cubs dominating as they scored a run over the next five innings of play. John ended the night yielding only two earned runs on five hits while issuing one walk and striking out four.
Miggy, Miggy, Miggy
With the game deadlocked at two, veteran catcher Miguel Montero stepped to the plate with two runners on. Montero had himself a huge night offensively, giving the Cubs a one-run lead and adding another RBI to his stats later on.
Miguel ended the evening 3-for-4, two RBI, and a run scored. Meanwhile, MVP candidate, Kris Bryant, tied his career high RBI mark set his rookie campaign. Bryant launched a two-run homer out to left field, bringing Fowler around to score with him to make it 9-2.
His 38th home run of the campaign which is one behind Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies for the N.L. lead. Also, Fowler clobbered a home run of his own during the fourth — Dexter’s 13th of the season.
Next: Lester and Hendricks should lead the charge
The Washington Nationals won their game against the Miami Marlins by the final score of 8-3 tonight. Which means the magic number to clinch home-field advantage in the NLCS is down to two.