(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- Jon Lester isn't ready to take up permanent residence on his couch, so extended reflection on reaching 150 career wins will have to wait. For now, it means one thing.
"I'm old," Lester said with a grin Tuesday night, when he tossed seven strong innings to became the eighth active pitcher to reach 150 wins as the Cubs routed the New York Mets, 14-3, at Citi Field.
"I don't like to talk about personal stuff -- I always try to put it off until I'm done, see where I'm at, reflect," the 33-year-old Lester said. "When it's all said and done, well go home and sit on the couch and reflect on the whole deal, see where we're at."
Eventually, Lester had to admit he liked being in a select group with Bartolo Colon, CC Sabathia, John Lackey, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Felix Hernandez and Jered Weaver.
"Well that's pretty cool -- I could probably name most of those guys," said Lester, who did in fact identify the other seven members of the 150-win club. "That's really good company. But at the same time, we've got a long way to go."
With three seasons plus an option remaining on his Cubs contract, manager Joe Maddon figures Tuesday night's milestone won't be the last one Lester reaches.
"He definitely has 200 within his sights," Maddon said. "Just speaks for his consistency."
Lester's 150th win was among the easiest of his career thanks to a seven-run second inning in which the Cubs scored all their runs with two outs. Lester, who entered Tuesday with a .066 career batting average, jump-started the rally with an opposite-field two-out single off Mets starter Zack Wheeler.
Albert Almora Jr. and Anthony Rizzo followed by drawing walks, with Rizzo's forcing home Willson Contreras, before Ian Happ crushed a grand slam to left field.
"Probably the one guy he had to get out was Lester," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He couldn't get him out and that changed the whole outcome of the game."
Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward singled before Addison Russell, who lined out to start the second, laced a two-run double to extend the Cubs' lead to 8-1 and finally chase Wheeler.
"A seven-run second will always help your pitcher," Lester said.
Lester (4-4) allowed one run -- in the first inning -- on five hits and one walk while striking out 10. He retired 11 in a row between the third and the seventh before stranding runners at the corners in the seventh.
"He was kind of effortless tonight," Maddon said. "He was not over-amped. He was making good pitches, really frugal. Really nicely done."
The Cubs added a run in the third, when Rizzo laced an RBI double, before scoring five more runs on a trio of homers -- a two-run shot by Heyward in the sixth, a solo blast by Bryant in the seventh and a two-run round-tripper by Javier Baez in the ninth.
Rizzo, making his first major league start out of the leadoff spot, homered on Wheeler's second pitch of the game and finished 2-for-4.
"I told the guys 'If I hit a single, I'm stealing first pitch,'" Rizzo said with a grin.
Maddon didn't hesitate when asked if Rizzo would bat leadoff in Wednesday's series finale.
"Yeah," Maddon said, dragging the word out so it was two syllables long.
Almora had three hits for the Cubs (32-32), who tied a season high for runs scored and margin of victory.
Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in the first for the Mets (29-34), who received back-to-back solo homers from Neil Walker and Lucas Duda in the ninth.
Wheeler (3-4) allowed a career-high eight runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 1 2/3 innings -- his shortest start as a big leaguer. He entered Tuesday having allowed just eight runs over his last four starts, a span of 24 1/3 innings.
"I just didn't feel it tonight," Wheeler said. "That's unfortunate. I put us in a hole early."
NOTES: The Mets placed SS Asdrubal Cabrera (left thumb) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled INF T.J. Rivera from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... Mets OF Michael Conforto (stiff back) missed a second straight game. ... Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (right hand tendinitis) experienced pain during a side session Tuesday and will not come off the disabled list Friday as the Cubs had hoped. ... Cubs LHP Jon Lester had a hit and a walk in the same game for the third time in his career.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Davidson belts grand slam to carry White Sox past Orioles
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Matt Davidson knew the ball was gone the moment it left his bat.
"You're never really thinking about a home run, you're trying to get a good at-bat together," said the Chicago White Sox third baseman of his first career grand slam on Tuesday. "(But) that one felt pretty good, I knew it when I hit it."
Left-hander Derek Holland allowed one run over six innings while Davidson's grand slam gave the White Sox a decisive lead en route to a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The win was the second straight for Chicago (28-35). Baltimore (31-32) dropped its sixth in a row and eighth in 10 games in a frustrating run that has seen the Orioles drop to fourth place in the AL East.
"We'll bounce back," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's never as good as it seems and it's never as bad as it seems. ... Nobody's hanging their head in there, they know they're better than this."
Holland (5-6) snapped a three-game losing streak as he gave up eight hits while striking out five and walking a pair.
"(We had) big double plays when we needed them and made pitches when I needed to as well," Holland said. "The thing that's frustrating is the walks -- a leadoff walk and then a two-out walk. That's something all of us as starters have been working on."
Baltimore right-hander Alec Asher (2-5) took the loss.
Chicago led 2-1 heading into a decisive sixth inning.
Asher allowed a leadoff single to Jose Abreu, hit Avisail Garcia with a pitch and walked Todd Frazier to load the bases with none out.
That set the stage for Davidson, who clubbed his team-leading 12th homer on a 3-2 pitch to left for Chicago's first grand slam of the season and a five-run White Sox lead.
"You see the successful hitters, they don't swing on bad counts," he said. "I'm trying to learn from them and from all the guys on our team and stay in the zone. When I stay in the zone I do pretty well."
Asher was relieved after the homer. He allowed six runs on six hits, walked two and struck out one over five-plus innings.
Abreu went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to pace an eight-hit White Sox attack.
Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Joey Rickard led off with a double to left, reached third on a sacrifice and came home on Manny Machado's one-out single to left.
Machado was tagged out at second as he tried to extend the hit to a double.
"Manny hit a ball and tried to push it (and was) barely out at second," Showalter said. "We had some good at-bats there, some good at-bats to set up those situation, too. But we couldn't finish it off with another good at-bat."
Asher retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Willy Garcia with one out in the third.
The White Sox then hit Asher for two runs in the fourth.
Melky Cabrera got Chicago's first hit when he led off with a single to deep center and reached second on Abreu's base hit to center. Both scored on Garcia's double to left center for a 2-1 White Sox lead.
The Orioles swept the White Sox in three early May games in Baltimore and take on host Chicago in four games this week. The Orioles are 6-0-2 in the last eight season series dating back to 2009.
NOTES: There was no official word Tuesday but Orioles slugger Chris Davis appears bound for the disabled list after suffering an oblique injury in Monday's loss to the White Sox. ... He was reportedly set for an MRI on Tuesday. ... Baltimore is 21-10 at home, the second-best record in the American League, but is 10-22 on the road. ... Chicago sends RHP Miguel Gonzalez (4-7, 4.89) on Wednesday night against Baltimore RHP Dylan Bundy (6-5, 3.05 ERA). ... INF Alen Hanson played at second and batted ninth on Tuesday in his first White Sox start since being acquired on waivers from Pittsburgh last Friday. ... LHP Carlos Rodon made his second rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte this week at Gwinnett, allowing four runs on five hits over 3.2 IP. He's been on the disabled list all season with bursitis in his left biceps. ... RHP James Shields allowed two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out six over five innings in his third rehab start at Charlotte on Tuesday.
"You're never really thinking about a home run, you're trying to get a good at-bat together," said the Chicago White Sox third baseman of his first career grand slam on Tuesday. "(But) that one felt pretty good, I knew it when I hit it."
Left-hander Derek Holland allowed one run over six innings while Davidson's grand slam gave the White Sox a decisive lead en route to a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The win was the second straight for Chicago (28-35). Baltimore (31-32) dropped its sixth in a row and eighth in 10 games in a frustrating run that has seen the Orioles drop to fourth place in the AL East.
"We'll bounce back," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's never as good as it seems and it's never as bad as it seems. ... Nobody's hanging their head in there, they know they're better than this."
Holland (5-6) snapped a three-game losing streak as he gave up eight hits while striking out five and walking a pair.
"(We had) big double plays when we needed them and made pitches when I needed to as well," Holland said. "The thing that's frustrating is the walks -- a leadoff walk and then a two-out walk. That's something all of us as starters have been working on."
Baltimore right-hander Alec Asher (2-5) took the loss.
Chicago led 2-1 heading into a decisive sixth inning.
Asher allowed a leadoff single to Jose Abreu, hit Avisail Garcia with a pitch and walked Todd Frazier to load the bases with none out.
That set the stage for Davidson, who clubbed his team-leading 12th homer on a 3-2 pitch to left for Chicago's first grand slam of the season and a five-run White Sox lead.
"You see the successful hitters, they don't swing on bad counts," he said. "I'm trying to learn from them and from all the guys on our team and stay in the zone. When I stay in the zone I do pretty well."
Asher was relieved after the homer. He allowed six runs on six hits, walked two and struck out one over five-plus innings.
Abreu went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to pace an eight-hit White Sox attack.
Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Joey Rickard led off with a double to left, reached third on a sacrifice and came home on Manny Machado's one-out single to left.
Machado was tagged out at second as he tried to extend the hit to a double.
"Manny hit a ball and tried to push it (and was) barely out at second," Showalter said. "We had some good at-bats there, some good at-bats to set up those situation, too. But we couldn't finish it off with another good at-bat."
Asher retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Willy Garcia with one out in the third.
The White Sox then hit Asher for two runs in the fourth.
Melky Cabrera got Chicago's first hit when he led off with a single to deep center and reached second on Abreu's base hit to center. Both scored on Garcia's double to left center for a 2-1 White Sox lead.
The Orioles swept the White Sox in three early May games in Baltimore and take on host Chicago in four games this week. The Orioles are 6-0-2 in the last eight season series dating back to 2009.
NOTES: There was no official word Tuesday but Orioles slugger Chris Davis appears bound for the disabled list after suffering an oblique injury in Monday's loss to the White Sox. ... He was reportedly set for an MRI on Tuesday. ... Baltimore is 21-10 at home, the second-best record in the American League, but is 10-22 on the road. ... Chicago sends RHP Miguel Gonzalez (4-7, 4.89) on Wednesday night against Baltimore RHP Dylan Bundy (6-5, 3.05 ERA). ... INF Alen Hanson played at second and batted ninth on Tuesday in his first White Sox start since being acquired on waivers from Pittsburgh last Friday. ... LHP Carlos Rodon made his second rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte this week at Gwinnett, allowing four runs on five hits over 3.2 IP. He's been on the disabled list all season with bursitis in his left biceps. ... RHP James Shields allowed two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out six over five innings in his third rehab start at Charlotte on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Smith, Davidson carry White Sox past Orioles
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith played more than 500 games in the minor leagues before earning a part-time role in the majors this season.
So nobody could fault Smith for grinning as he rounded first base Monday night on his first career home run. His 409-foot shot to right-center field set the tone as Chicago held on for a 10-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
"Gave one big clap when I hit first, and then I smiled and I was like, 'All right, first one's out of the way, now we go,'" Smith said. "I've been feeling good, I've been taking a lot of good swings, it just wasn't coming through.
"I was kind of joking, I got a new shipment of bats in today, a different model. It was the first swing of the game I took with it and I was like, 'All right, let's order about three dozen of those.' It comes when you least expect it."
Matt Davidson also hit a home run and drove in two as the White Sox notched 14 hits. Avisail Garcia added a single, double and three RBIs for Chicago (27-35).
The White Sox scored more than five runs for the first time since May 30 and matched a season high on defense by turning four double plays.
Trey Mancini went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Orioles. On a night when Manny Machado returned to the starting lineup, Chris Davis went down because of a strained oblique.
Baltimore (31-31) dropped its fifth game in a row and fell to .500 for the first time this season.
"Are we?" Orioles manager Buck Showalter said when asked about the .500 mark. "I haven't looked at it in a week or so."
Showalter's avoidance is understandable. During their five-game skid, the Orioles have been outscored 54-16.
Left-hander Wade Miley (2-4) was the latest Orioles pitcher to walk off the field with his head down. He surrendered six runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Miley did not mince words when it came to his performance.
"I just (stunk)," Miley said. "It's as simple as that. I feel like everything I threw up there, they put a barrel on. That's all there is to it. That game's on me."
White Sox right-hander Jake Petricka (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. He followed starting right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who allowed two runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
"He gave us what he could," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Pelfrey. "We didn't want it to fall apart. You want to keep the lead."
Smith drove his first career home run to right-center field in the second inning to put the White Sox on top 2-0.
Chicago added four runs in the third to seize a 6-0 advantage. Jose Abreu, Garcia and Davidson each drove in a run during the barrage, which chased Miley from the game. A throwing error by Adam Jones in center field compounded the Orioles' problems and allowed another run to score.
Baltimore trimmed the deficit to 6-2 in the fourth. Seth Smith ripped a ground-rule double over the center-field wall to score Welington Castillo, and Smith scored moments later on Jones' single to left field.
Garcia drove in two more runs with a single in the fourth to make it 8-2.
Smith added a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
A solo shot by Davidson gave the White Sox a 10-2 lead in the seventh.
Baltimore scored four runs in the eighth to close the gap to 10-6. Hyun Soo Kim drove in one run with a single, and Mancini followed with a three-run home run that sneaked over the right-field wall.
Jonathan Schoop finished the scoring in the ninth with an RBI single to left-center field. White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera threw out Schoop at second base to end the game.
NOTES: Orioles 1B Chris Davis left the game in the third inning because of a strained right oblique muscle. The 31-year-old appeared to injure himself while flying out to deep right-center field. He is hitting .226 with 14 home runs and 26 RBIs in 61 games. ... White Sox OF Leury Garcia did not play because of an injured left hand. ... Orioles 3B Manny Machado returned to the lineup after missing four games because of a strained left wrist. He went 2-for-4. ... White Sox RHP Nate Jones experienced a setback and has halted his throwing program in his attempted return from a right elbow injury. The 31-year-old has been on the disabled list since May 4. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Miguel Castro from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned RHP Logan Verrett to Norfolk.
So nobody could fault Smith for grinning as he rounded first base Monday night on his first career home run. His 409-foot shot to right-center field set the tone as Chicago held on for a 10-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
"Gave one big clap when I hit first, and then I smiled and I was like, 'All right, first one's out of the way, now we go,'" Smith said. "I've been feeling good, I've been taking a lot of good swings, it just wasn't coming through.
"I was kind of joking, I got a new shipment of bats in today, a different model. It was the first swing of the game I took with it and I was like, 'All right, let's order about three dozen of those.' It comes when you least expect it."
Matt Davidson also hit a home run and drove in two as the White Sox notched 14 hits. Avisail Garcia added a single, double and three RBIs for Chicago (27-35).
The White Sox scored more than five runs for the first time since May 30 and matched a season high on defense by turning four double plays.
Trey Mancini went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Orioles. On a night when Manny Machado returned to the starting lineup, Chris Davis went down because of a strained oblique.
Baltimore (31-31) dropped its fifth game in a row and fell to .500 for the first time this season.
"Are we?" Orioles manager Buck Showalter said when asked about the .500 mark. "I haven't looked at it in a week or so."
Showalter's avoidance is understandable. During their five-game skid, the Orioles have been outscored 54-16.
Left-hander Wade Miley (2-4) was the latest Orioles pitcher to walk off the field with his head down. He surrendered six runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Miley did not mince words when it came to his performance.
"I just (stunk)," Miley said. "It's as simple as that. I feel like everything I threw up there, they put a barrel on. That's all there is to it. That game's on me."
White Sox right-hander Jake Petricka (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. He followed starting right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who allowed two runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
"He gave us what he could," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Pelfrey. "We didn't want it to fall apart. You want to keep the lead."
Smith drove his first career home run to right-center field in the second inning to put the White Sox on top 2-0.
Chicago added four runs in the third to seize a 6-0 advantage. Jose Abreu, Garcia and Davidson each drove in a run during the barrage, which chased Miley from the game. A throwing error by Adam Jones in center field compounded the Orioles' problems and allowed another run to score.
Baltimore trimmed the deficit to 6-2 in the fourth. Seth Smith ripped a ground-rule double over the center-field wall to score Welington Castillo, and Smith scored moments later on Jones' single to left field.
Garcia drove in two more runs with a single in the fourth to make it 8-2.
Smith added a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
A solo shot by Davidson gave the White Sox a 10-2 lead in the seventh.
Baltimore scored four runs in the eighth to close the gap to 10-6. Hyun Soo Kim drove in one run with a single, and Mancini followed with a three-run home run that sneaked over the right-field wall.
Jonathan Schoop finished the scoring in the ninth with an RBI single to left-center field. White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera threw out Schoop at second base to end the game.
NOTES: Orioles 1B Chris Davis left the game in the third inning because of a strained right oblique muscle. The 31-year-old appeared to injure himself while flying out to deep right-center field. He is hitting .226 with 14 home runs and 26 RBIs in 61 games. ... White Sox OF Leury Garcia did not play because of an injured left hand. ... Orioles 3B Manny Machado returned to the lineup after missing four games because of a strained left wrist. He went 2-for-4. ... White Sox RHP Nate Jones experienced a setback and has halted his throwing program in his attempted return from a right elbow injury. The 31-year-old has been on the disabled list since May 4. ... The Orioles recalled RHP Miguel Castro from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned RHP Logan Verrett to Norfolk.
Mets' deGrom goes distance in win over Cubs
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- At some point in the middle innings Monday night, baseball lifer Terry Collins realized he was seeing something that used to be commonplace but was now unusual.
The New York Mets manager saw an even rarer old-school relic in the ninth inning: His starting pitcher was still on the mound.
Right-hander Jacob deGrom, reeling from the worst two-start stretch of his career, induced four double-play grounders in throwing his second career complete game Monday night, when he twirled a five-hitter to lead the Mets past the Chicago Cubs 6-1 at Citi Field.
"I don't know how many double plays we turned -- four or five -- but those guys made great plays behind me tonight," deGrom said.
DeGrom (5-3) got the Cubs to hit into a 4-6-3 double play -- Neil Walker to Asdrubal Cabrera to Lucas Duda -- in four straight innings between the third and the sixth. The final three all came after deGrom allowed the leadoff batter to reach base.
"It was pretty funny to have those double plays tonight," Collins said. "We were talking in the dugout yesterday -- you just don't see ground balls anymore, with the new launch angle stuff that's going around through baseball, nobody hits ground balls."
Nor does anyone throw complete games anymore. DeGrom's was the first by a Mets pitcher since the right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies last July 16. His complete games are the only ones by New York since the start of the 2016 season.
Despite traveling into unfamiliar territory, deGrom took command of the dugout conversation with Collins in between the top and bottom of the eighth, when the Mets added two runs to remove any chance for a save situation.
"I walked in and said I wanted to finish the game," deGrom said. "So that's when I knew I was going back out."
The reporters gathered around deGrom chuckled, but his stoic expression never wavered.
"You don't get many chances, I feel like, to finish games," deGrom said to a follow-up question. "And that was the chance. So I wanted to stay out there."
DeGrom ended up making the last out of the bottom of the eighth before making quick work of the Cubs in the ninth, when he needed just 10 pitches to throw a perfect inning and cap a game that lasted just two hours and 23 minutes -- the shortest of the season for the Mets.
The last of deGrom's 116 pitches -- the fifth-most of his career -- was a 97 mph fastball. He walked four, struck out six and retired the final seven batters following Addison Russell's two-out homer in the seventh.
The gem came after deGrom allowed 15 runs over eight innings in his previous two starts.
"I got my teeth kicked in," deGrom said. "Definitely wanted to have a good one, and fortunate enough tonight that I did."
Cabrera atoned for his recent fielding struggles -- three errors in the last three games, including a drop of a pop-up off the bat of Jason Heyward in the second inning Monday -- by hitting a pair of solo homers. Jay Bruce went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer while Travis d'Arnaud (RBI double) and Jose Reyes (RBI single) added run-scoring hits in the ninth.
Five players had a hit apiece for the Cubs (31-32), who were limited to three runs or fewer for the fourth time in the last five games, a stretch in which the defending World Series champions are 1-4.
"We can't keep using that as an excuse, that the other team's pitcher is good," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We've got to start beating some better pitchers, period. You don't get to the promised land without winning games like that -- maybe 3-2, 4-3, whatever."
Right-hander John Lackey (4-7) took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over five innings.
"Definitely didn't feel great today," Lackey said. "Need to pitch better. The other guy pitched really good."
NOTES: Mets OF Michael Conforto (back) did not play. Manager Terry Collins said Conforto developed a stiff back during Saturday's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves and that he wasn't available to pinch-hit on Monday. Conforto is day-to-day. ... Mets LF Yoenis Cespedes left after the fifth inning due to a sore left heel. Cespedes just returned from the disabled list Saturday after missing 37 games due to left hamstring and right quad injuries. Both Cespedes and Collins expressed confidence he would return to the lineup Tuesday. .... Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (right hand) is scheduled to throw a side session Tuesday and could return to the rotation this weekend. ... The Cubs finished one double play shy of the team record for a game, last set on June 4, 1981.
The New York Mets manager saw an even rarer old-school relic in the ninth inning: His starting pitcher was still on the mound.
Right-hander Jacob deGrom, reeling from the worst two-start stretch of his career, induced four double-play grounders in throwing his second career complete game Monday night, when he twirled a five-hitter to lead the Mets past the Chicago Cubs 6-1 at Citi Field.
"I don't know how many double plays we turned -- four or five -- but those guys made great plays behind me tonight," deGrom said.
DeGrom (5-3) got the Cubs to hit into a 4-6-3 double play -- Neil Walker to Asdrubal Cabrera to Lucas Duda -- in four straight innings between the third and the sixth. The final three all came after deGrom allowed the leadoff batter to reach base.
"It was pretty funny to have those double plays tonight," Collins said. "We were talking in the dugout yesterday -- you just don't see ground balls anymore, with the new launch angle stuff that's going around through baseball, nobody hits ground balls."
Nor does anyone throw complete games anymore. DeGrom's was the first by a Mets pitcher since the right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies last July 16. His complete games are the only ones by New York since the start of the 2016 season.
Despite traveling into unfamiliar territory, deGrom took command of the dugout conversation with Collins in between the top and bottom of the eighth, when the Mets added two runs to remove any chance for a save situation.
"I walked in and said I wanted to finish the game," deGrom said. "So that's when I knew I was going back out."
The reporters gathered around deGrom chuckled, but his stoic expression never wavered.
"You don't get many chances, I feel like, to finish games," deGrom said to a follow-up question. "And that was the chance. So I wanted to stay out there."
DeGrom ended up making the last out of the bottom of the eighth before making quick work of the Cubs in the ninth, when he needed just 10 pitches to throw a perfect inning and cap a game that lasted just two hours and 23 minutes -- the shortest of the season for the Mets.
The last of deGrom's 116 pitches -- the fifth-most of his career -- was a 97 mph fastball. He walked four, struck out six and retired the final seven batters following Addison Russell's two-out homer in the seventh.
The gem came after deGrom allowed 15 runs over eight innings in his previous two starts.
"I got my teeth kicked in," deGrom said. "Definitely wanted to have a good one, and fortunate enough tonight that I did."
Cabrera atoned for his recent fielding struggles -- three errors in the last three games, including a drop of a pop-up off the bat of Jason Heyward in the second inning Monday -- by hitting a pair of solo homers. Jay Bruce went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer while Travis d'Arnaud (RBI double) and Jose Reyes (RBI single) added run-scoring hits in the ninth.
Five players had a hit apiece for the Cubs (31-32), who were limited to three runs or fewer for the fourth time in the last five games, a stretch in which the defending World Series champions are 1-4.
"We can't keep using that as an excuse, that the other team's pitcher is good," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We've got to start beating some better pitchers, period. You don't get to the promised land without winning games like that -- maybe 3-2, 4-3, whatever."
Right-hander John Lackey (4-7) took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over five innings.
"Definitely didn't feel great today," Lackey said. "Need to pitch better. The other guy pitched really good."
NOTES: Mets OF Michael Conforto (back) did not play. Manager Terry Collins said Conforto developed a stiff back during Saturday's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves and that he wasn't available to pinch-hit on Monday. Conforto is day-to-day. ... Mets LF Yoenis Cespedes left after the fifth inning due to a sore left heel. Cespedes just returned from the disabled list Saturday after missing 37 games due to left hamstring and right quad injuries. Both Cespedes and Collins expressed confidence he would return to the lineup Tuesday. .... Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (right hand) is scheduled to throw a side session Tuesday and could return to the rotation this weekend. ... The Cubs finished one double play shy of the team record for a game, last set on June 4, 1981.
Monday, June 12, 2017
Carrasco, bullpen lead Indians past White Sox 4-2
By STEVE HERRICK
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Carlos Carrasco got the Cleveland Indians to the sixth inning, and Andrew Miller and company took over from there.
Miller, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, helping the Indians top the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Sunday.
"We have an unbelievable bullpen," Carrasco said. "It was amazing."
Carrasco (6-3) was pulled after Todd Frazier's two-run double cut Cleveland's lead to one. The right-hander allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked one in 5 1/3 innings.
Miller retired all five batters he faced, striking out three. Shaw pitched a scoreless eighth and Allen finished for his 15th save, working around a one-out single.
The White Sox knew what they were getting into when the Indians went to their late-inning relievers.
"They're very good," Frazier said. "That's why they made it to the World Series last year. That's what they do best, all three of those guys."
Carrasco struck out Melky Cabrera to begin the sixth but then hit Jose Abreu on the left elbow. The big first baseman, who was hit on the left knee by Miller on Friday, crouched over at the plate and slowly walked to first.
Avisail Garcia's double put runners at second and third before Frazier's double made it 3-2. Miller struck out Yolmer Sanchez and Tim Anderson and retired the side in order in the seventh.
"As soon as I saw Miller, I said, 'This inning is over.' I just left the man on second base right there," Carrasco said.
Cleveland is off Monday, making 11 outs for its bullpen no big deal.
"That was one of those where we were able to win today, we can't do that - after this off day, we have 23 (games) in 21 days," manager Terry Francona said. "Today we could, knowing there was an off day."
Francisco Lindor, Roberto Perez and Erik Gonzalez each drove in a run for Cleveland.
The White Sox have dropped nine of 11. Jose Quintana (2-8) allowed three runs in five innings, dropping to 0-4 in his last seven starts.
Lindor, who was in a 6-for-44 slump, tacked on an RBI double in the seventh.
The Indians thought they had a run in the sixth, but third base umpire Bruce Dreckman ruled Edwin Encarnacion's towering fly ball down the line was foul. Encarnacion, who started his home run trot, immediately signaled the ball was fair and Francona came on the field.
A crew chief review ensued as Encarnacion impatiently stood at home plate and leaned on his bat. The call stood, drawing boos from the crowd. Encarnacion worked the count to 3-2 and fired his bat to the ground after hitting a tapper to pitcher Chris Beck.
Encarnacion's drive cleared the porch and landed on a walkway adjacent to the scoreboard in left field.
BAD LUCK
Chicago center fielder Leury Garcia exited after jamming his left middle finger twice on the bases. He was initially hurt leading off the game on a headfirst slide into first, and then was kicked on the hand by Lindor on an attempted steal in the fifth.
"We're hoping it's not a long-term thing," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's day to day for now."
GOOD GAME, KID
Gonzalez started at second base, giving Jason Kipnis a day off. The rookie went 2 for 3 with his first career RBI, and also made an outstanding play to start the game.
Leury Garcia hit a hard grounder that glanced off Carrasco's glove. Gonzalez made a backhand stab of the ball and made an off-balance throw to first for the out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: RHP James Shields (strained right lat) has made two rehab starts for Triple-A Charlotte. He has been on the disabled list since April 21.
Indians: OF Abraham Almonte (strained right shoulder) had two hits for Triple-A Columbus on a rehab assignment Saturday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Mike Pelfrey will go in the opener of a four-game series against Baltimore on Monday.
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer opens a three-game series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Carlos Carrasco got the Cleveland Indians to the sixth inning, and Andrew Miller and company took over from there.
Miller, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, helping the Indians top the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Sunday.
"We have an unbelievable bullpen," Carrasco said. "It was amazing."
Carrasco (6-3) was pulled after Todd Frazier's two-run double cut Cleveland's lead to one. The right-hander allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked one in 5 1/3 innings.
Miller retired all five batters he faced, striking out three. Shaw pitched a scoreless eighth and Allen finished for his 15th save, working around a one-out single.
The White Sox knew what they were getting into when the Indians went to their late-inning relievers.
"They're very good," Frazier said. "That's why they made it to the World Series last year. That's what they do best, all three of those guys."
Carrasco struck out Melky Cabrera to begin the sixth but then hit Jose Abreu on the left elbow. The big first baseman, who was hit on the left knee by Miller on Friday, crouched over at the plate and slowly walked to first.
Avisail Garcia's double put runners at second and third before Frazier's double made it 3-2. Miller struck out Yolmer Sanchez and Tim Anderson and retired the side in order in the seventh.
"As soon as I saw Miller, I said, 'This inning is over.' I just left the man on second base right there," Carrasco said.
Cleveland is off Monday, making 11 outs for its bullpen no big deal.
"That was one of those where we were able to win today, we can't do that - after this off day, we have 23 (games) in 21 days," manager Terry Francona said. "Today we could, knowing there was an off day."
Francisco Lindor, Roberto Perez and Erik Gonzalez each drove in a run for Cleveland.
The White Sox have dropped nine of 11. Jose Quintana (2-8) allowed three runs in five innings, dropping to 0-4 in his last seven starts.
Lindor, who was in a 6-for-44 slump, tacked on an RBI double in the seventh.
The Indians thought they had a run in the sixth, but third base umpire Bruce Dreckman ruled Edwin Encarnacion's towering fly ball down the line was foul. Encarnacion, who started his home run trot, immediately signaled the ball was fair and Francona came on the field.
A crew chief review ensued as Encarnacion impatiently stood at home plate and leaned on his bat. The call stood, drawing boos from the crowd. Encarnacion worked the count to 3-2 and fired his bat to the ground after hitting a tapper to pitcher Chris Beck.
Encarnacion's drive cleared the porch and landed on a walkway adjacent to the scoreboard in left field.
BAD LUCK
Chicago center fielder Leury Garcia exited after jamming his left middle finger twice on the bases. He was initially hurt leading off the game on a headfirst slide into first, and then was kicked on the hand by Lindor on an attempted steal in the fifth.
"We're hoping it's not a long-term thing," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's day to day for now."
GOOD GAME, KID
Gonzalez started at second base, giving Jason Kipnis a day off. The rookie went 2 for 3 with his first career RBI, and also made an outstanding play to start the game.
Leury Garcia hit a hard grounder that glanced off Carrasco's glove. Gonzalez made a backhand stab of the ball and made an off-balance throw to first for the out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: RHP James Shields (strained right lat) has made two rehab starts for Triple-A Charlotte. He has been on the disabled list since April 21.
Indians: OF Abraham Almonte (strained right shoulder) had two hits for Triple-A Columbus on a rehab assignment Saturday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Mike Pelfrey will go in the opener of a four-game series against Baltimore on Monday.
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer opens a three-game series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Cubs beat Rockies 7-5, snap four-game losing streak
The Cubs snapped a four-game losing streak to conclude their second-straight
winning homestand at 6-4, beating the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on Sunday.
The Cubs improved to 13-6 in their last 19 games at Wrigley Field. They have hit 36 home runs in their last 20 home games. They have hit a season-high tying four homers (third time), and improved to 10-1 when hitting three or more homers.
The club’s 12 hits were its most since 14 hits, May 21 vs. Milwaukee. Russell and Schwarber connected for the Cubs first back-to-back home runs this season. Koji Uehara (2.0 IP) needed just 19 pitches to toss 2.0 perfect innings, his first outing of 2.0 innings since July 24, 2015 vs. Detroit.
Kris Bryant (1-for-3, R, BB) scored his team-high 40th run of the season, while Anthony Rizzo (1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R) batted .364 (12-for-33) with four doubles, a homer, eight runs scored, seven RBI and 10 walks on the 10-game homestand.
The Cubs improved to 13-6 in their last 19 games at Wrigley Field. They have hit 36 home runs in their last 20 home games. They have hit a season-high tying four homers (third time), and improved to 10-1 when hitting three or more homers.
The club’s 12 hits were its most since 14 hits, May 21 vs. Milwaukee. Russell and Schwarber connected for the Cubs first back-to-back home runs this season. Koji Uehara (2.0 IP) needed just 19 pitches to toss 2.0 perfect innings, his first outing of 2.0 innings since July 24, 2015 vs. Detroit.
Kris Bryant (1-for-3, R, BB) scored his team-high 40th run of the season, while Anthony Rizzo (1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R) batted .364 (12-for-33) with four doubles, a homer, eight runs scored, seven RBI and 10 walks on the 10-game homestand.
Chicago Riverwalk and Lawndale shootings part of violent, hot weekend
Sun-Times Wire
Six men were killed and at least 37 other people — including nine in Lawndale and two who had been arguing on the Chicago Riverwalk — were wounded in shootings across Chicago between Friday evening and Monday morning.
With temperatures pushing into the 90s, 30 people were shot in less than 9 hours from Saturday evening to Sunday morning. The weekend was more deadly than last weekend, when 30 people were shot, five of them fatally.
Nine people were shot about 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the Lawndale neighborhood on the Southwest Side, according to Chicago Police. They were gathered in the 3300 block of West Douglas when a black vehicle approached and people inside fired shots.
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the buttocks; another 17-year-old boy was shot in the hand; a 22-year-old man was shot in the ankle; a 23-year-old man was shot in the back; a 29-year-old man was shot in the hip; a 30-year-old man was shot in the lower leg; a 33-year-old woman was shot in the leg; and a 35-year-old man was shot in the leg, police said. All eight victims were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where their conditions were stabilized.
A ninth victim, a 26-year-old man, was shot in the leg and taken to Rush Oak Park Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
A police source said several of the victims are documented gang members and the shooting appears to be gang-related.
Chicago Police investigate at Douglas and Christiana, where eight people were shot early Sunday, June 11, 2017. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
The weekend’s latest fatal shooting happened about 5:10 p.m. Sunday in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side. Christian Rodriguez, 24, was walking in the 4700 block of South Winchester when a green-colored vehicle pulled up, and someone got out and shot him in the abdomen and right leg, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Rodriguez, who lived in the West Lawn neighborhood on the Southwest Side, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m.
At 5:07 a.m., another fatal shooting happened in Lawndale, less than a mile from the mass shooting. Someone in a white vehicle opened fire in the 1400 block of South Avers, striking 24-year-old Dontae Thomas in the abdomen. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died at 7:05 a.m., according to police and the medical examiner’s office. He lived in the same neighborhood as the attack.
One man was killed in another Back of the Yards neighborhood shooting that left two others wounded at 3:13 a.m. Sunday. Ivan Gutierrez, 19, was standing on the sidewalk with two other men, ages 22 and 23, in the 5300 block of South Seeley when someone in a vehicle fired shots, striking them all. Gutierrez, who lived in the same neighborhood, was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:17 a.m., authorities said. The 22-year-old was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, and the oldest man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
Less than two hours earlier, 29-year-old Fredrick Vasquez was killed in a Humboldt Park neighborhood shooting on the West Side. He was standing on the sidewalk at 1:28 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of North Monticello when someone in a gray vehicle opened fire, striking him in the chest. Vasquez was taken to Norwegian American Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:04 a.m., authorities said. He lived in the Logan Square neighborhood on the Northwest Side.
The weekend’s other two fatal shootings occurred on Friday.
About 6:45 p.m. that evening, 21-year-old Louis Chamness was killed in a Belmont Central neighborhood shooting on the Northwest Side. He was driving in the 5700 block of West Belden when people in a dark-colored car shot him in the chest. Chamness’ car then slammed into a parked car and flipped onto its side. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he died at 7:28 p.m., authorities said. Chamness lived in the Belmont Gardens neighborhood.
Late Friday afternoon, a Naperville man was gunned down in the West Side Austin neighborhood. Romaine Elkins, 18, was standing outside about 5:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of North Linder when people in a dark-colored SUV opened fire in his direction and he was shot in the chest, authorities said. After the shooting, the SUV sped west on Le Moyne and crashed into another vehicle. Elkins was taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he died at 5:52 p.m. A 71-year-old woman in the other vehicle suffered injuries in the crash, but was listed in good condition.
Chicago Police investigate at Wacker and Dearborn, where two men were shot on the Chicago Riverwalk early Sunday, June 11, 2017. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Two 16-year-old boys were critically wounded in a shooting about 7 p.m. Sunday near 31st Street Beach on the South Side. They were in fight with someone in the 3100 block of South Lake Shore Drive, when the suspect took out a gun and shot one of the boys in the neck and the other in the legs. Both boys were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition.
In the Loop, two men were wounded in a shooting shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday on the Chicago Riverwalk. The men, ages 28 and 30, were involved in an argument on the riverwalk near Wacker and Dearborn when shots rang out, police said. The younger man was shot in the right leg, while the older man suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot.
They were both taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where their conditions were stabilized. Witnesses at the busy intersection said they heard at least three gunshots. Chicago Police could be seen investigating along the Riverwalk, underneath the Dearborn Street Bridge.
At least 22 more people were wounded in shooting across the city between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
The weekend violence almost matched last year’s totals over the same weekend, when 7 people were killed and at least 35 others were wounded in shootings between June 10 and June 13, 2016.
Six men were killed and at least 37 other people — including nine in Lawndale and two who had been arguing on the Chicago Riverwalk — were wounded in shootings across Chicago between Friday evening and Monday morning.
With temperatures pushing into the 90s, 30 people were shot in less than 9 hours from Saturday evening to Sunday morning. The weekend was more deadly than last weekend, when 30 people were shot, five of them fatally.
Nine people were shot about 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the Lawndale neighborhood on the Southwest Side, according to Chicago Police. They were gathered in the 3300 block of West Douglas when a black vehicle approached and people inside fired shots.
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the buttocks; another 17-year-old boy was shot in the hand; a 22-year-old man was shot in the ankle; a 23-year-old man was shot in the back; a 29-year-old man was shot in the hip; a 30-year-old man was shot in the lower leg; a 33-year-old woman was shot in the leg; and a 35-year-old man was shot in the leg, police said. All eight victims were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where their conditions were stabilized.
A ninth victim, a 26-year-old man, was shot in the leg and taken to Rush Oak Park Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
A police source said several of the victims are documented gang members and the shooting appears to be gang-related.
Chicago Police investigate at Douglas and Christiana, where eight people were shot early Sunday, June 11, 2017. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
The weekend’s latest fatal shooting happened about 5:10 p.m. Sunday in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side. Christian Rodriguez, 24, was walking in the 4700 block of South Winchester when a green-colored vehicle pulled up, and someone got out and shot him in the abdomen and right leg, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Rodriguez, who lived in the West Lawn neighborhood on the Southwest Side, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m.
At 5:07 a.m., another fatal shooting happened in Lawndale, less than a mile from the mass shooting. Someone in a white vehicle opened fire in the 1400 block of South Avers, striking 24-year-old Dontae Thomas in the abdomen. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died at 7:05 a.m., according to police and the medical examiner’s office. He lived in the same neighborhood as the attack.
One man was killed in another Back of the Yards neighborhood shooting that left two others wounded at 3:13 a.m. Sunday. Ivan Gutierrez, 19, was standing on the sidewalk with two other men, ages 22 and 23, in the 5300 block of South Seeley when someone in a vehicle fired shots, striking them all. Gutierrez, who lived in the same neighborhood, was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:17 a.m., authorities said. The 22-year-old was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, and the oldest man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
Less than two hours earlier, 29-year-old Fredrick Vasquez was killed in a Humboldt Park neighborhood shooting on the West Side. He was standing on the sidewalk at 1:28 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of North Monticello when someone in a gray vehicle opened fire, striking him in the chest. Vasquez was taken to Norwegian American Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:04 a.m., authorities said. He lived in the Logan Square neighborhood on the Northwest Side.
The weekend’s other two fatal shootings occurred on Friday.
About 6:45 p.m. that evening, 21-year-old Louis Chamness was killed in a Belmont Central neighborhood shooting on the Northwest Side. He was driving in the 5700 block of West Belden when people in a dark-colored car shot him in the chest. Chamness’ car then slammed into a parked car and flipped onto its side. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he died at 7:28 p.m., authorities said. Chamness lived in the Belmont Gardens neighborhood.
Late Friday afternoon, a Naperville man was gunned down in the West Side Austin neighborhood. Romaine Elkins, 18, was standing outside about 5:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of North Linder when people in a dark-colored SUV opened fire in his direction and he was shot in the chest, authorities said. After the shooting, the SUV sped west on Le Moyne and crashed into another vehicle. Elkins was taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he died at 5:52 p.m. A 71-year-old woman in the other vehicle suffered injuries in the crash, but was listed in good condition.
Chicago Police investigate at Wacker and Dearborn, where two men were shot on the Chicago Riverwalk early Sunday, June 11, 2017. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Two 16-year-old boys were critically wounded in a shooting about 7 p.m. Sunday near 31st Street Beach on the South Side. They were in fight with someone in the 3100 block of South Lake Shore Drive, when the suspect took out a gun and shot one of the boys in the neck and the other in the legs. Both boys were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition.
In the Loop, two men were wounded in a shooting shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday on the Chicago Riverwalk. The men, ages 28 and 30, were involved in an argument on the riverwalk near Wacker and Dearborn when shots rang out, police said. The younger man was shot in the right leg, while the older man suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot.
They were both taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where their conditions were stabilized. Witnesses at the busy intersection said they heard at least three gunshots. Chicago Police could be seen investigating along the Riverwalk, underneath the Dearborn Street Bridge.
At least 22 more people were wounded in shooting across the city between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
The weekend violence almost matched last year’s totals over the same weekend, when 7 people were killed and at least 35 others were wounded in shootings between June 10 and June 13, 2016.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)