Was it a close game? Yes. Was it a thriller? No. But for a second night in a row the Cubs learned the power of the solo home run.
Just one solo home run in the fifth inning from Kyle Schwarber was needed to defeat the NL Central leaders.
What You Need to Know: After seven innings of scoreless pitching, Kyle Hendricks was able to head into the dugout knowing he had thrown his best game to date this season. Along with giving up no runs or walks, he allowed only four hits and struck out five batters.
In typical Hendricks fashion, he has able to induce weak contact from the Brewers lineup. He was also able to avoid any high pressure situations, never allowing more than one runner on base.
Hendricks was also a beneficiary of some stellar defensive plays.
Next Level: After Albert Almora wowed everyone with his defense last Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Rockies, tonight he was able to wow fans once again—but this time without crashing into a wall.
After Lorenzo Cain drove a ball to deep center field, Almora was able to keep up and make a phenomenal catch, only a step or two before getting a faceful of dead ivy and bricks.
Later in the game, defense once again came up big, this time at second base. Javy Baez seemingly jumped 25 feet in the air to snag a Ryan Braun line drive. Later slow motion replays confused viewers by making them unsure it they were watching Baez or an action scene from the new Avengers movie.
Top WPA Play: Kyle Schwarber’s game winning home run, proving anyone who thinks solo homers can’t beat you is full of s**t. (+.175)
Botton WPA Play: Lorenzo Cain single in the ninth inning of Brandon Morrow (-.115)
Up Next: Yu Darvish will take the mound tomorrow afternoon, when he will be looking to quiet some of the critics after a less than stellar start to the season.
Lead photo courtesy Kamil Krzaczynski—USA Today Sports