Game 2 of the NLDS between the Cubs and Giants featured a Kendricks-Samardzija pitching duel.
It was a rough night for former Cubbies pitcher Jeff “The Shark” Samardzija. Samardzija tossed 21 pitches in the first inning, most of which were called balls. But that was an advantage for a batting-enriched Cubs lineup.
Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler opened up the hitting game in the North Side with a leadoff double in the first inning on a 3-2 count. The following batters, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, failed to advance Fowler, but an unlikely hero stepped up.
Ben Zobrist, who went hitless in Game 1, nicked a ball to right field, enough to send Fowler to home plate, granting the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.
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The second inning was equally great to the Cubs. Pitcher Kyle “The Professor” Hendricks (.138 BA) lit up the crowd at Wrigley by scoring two runs with no outs in the bottom of the second.
The Cubs led 4-0 after Samardzija (6 H, 4 ER, K) logged 47 pitches through two innings.
Though slacking in pitching, the Giants eventually gained steam offensively.
Joe Panik kicked off the third inning with a leadoff double, followed by an RBI double by Gregor Blanco. Brandon Belt then cleared Blanco at third base with a sac fly (4-2). Though things went well for the Giants, the Cubs lost their starting pitcher.
After Hendricks exited the game in the fourth, his replacement, Travis Wood, nailed a ball into the stands, giving the Cubs a 5-2 lead.
One of the hottest hitters in the majors, Rizzo had a fairly quiet night He recorded not one hit in four at-bats. Likewise, Buster Posey had a silent night, going 0-4.
Both teams have been through a bunch of diversity this season, but at the end of the day, the “even-year theory” is reducing the Giants and their luck.
And although Pagan worked Aroldis Chapman to death in the ninth, the Cubs remained vigilant.
Despite three errors, the Cubs left a lasting impression on the Giants by proving that they, too, have some unsung heroes.
Next: Kyle Hendricks Leaves Game 2
The buffet that is the Cubs offense will be on stage in Game 3 (Arrieta vs. Bumgarner), which is scheduled for Monday night on FS1.
GAME NOTE Kyle Hendricks left the game (4th) after a ball hit by Pagan struck Hendricks’ forearm. A medical evaluation determined no significant damage.