Coming into Friday’s series opener, the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins were each coming off series sweeps. Both, however, had questions on offense.
The Cubs had scored 20 runs in their past 10 games, going 5-5, thanks to a series against the even-more-hapless Mets. The Marlins were still somehow scoring runs despite the loss of slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
On Friday, those questions came to a head.
Miami started things quickly with a solo shot by Christian Yelich in the top of the first. The Cubs answered in the bottom half of the inning, when Miguel Montero singled home Kris Bryant, who doubled.
Then the pitchers took control. Or, the bats fell silent again.
Chicago starter Jason Hammel sat down 14-straight Marlins after a leadoff single in the second before Justin Bour hit his fourth home run in as many games. That was the only other run for either team.
Miami starter Tom Koehler earned the win, going six innings, allowing five hits, one walk and one run while striking out four. Hammel wasn’t much worse, taking a tough-luck loss after a seven-inning, four-hit, one-walk, two-run, five-strikeout performance.
The Marlins left seven men on base and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The weren’t much better, going just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight men on base.
Chicago lost just its second game all season when allowing two or fewer runs. They’re now 26-2 in such contests.
All stats and info courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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