Cubs split series with Brewers as White Sox actually win a series

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The Cubs gained a split with the Brewers in their two game series with an 8-4 win.  Kyle Hendricks got the win evening his record to 9-9, though he wasn’t that effective.  Hendricks went six innings, giving up all four Brewers’ runs.

That was close

Anthony Rizzo returned to the cleanup slot and socked a two-run homer in his first at bat.  The Cubs added two more runs in the third inning to go up 4-0.  The Brewers got to Hendricks for two runs in the fourth, but the Cubs added a three spot in the bottom of the inning to go up 7-2The Brewers mounted a rally in the seventh inning of Hendricks, and Carl Edwards Jr., who was uncharacteristically ineffective.  Edwards recorded only one out while giving up two hits and a walk.  Justin Wilson and Steve Cishek came on to get out of a bases loaded jam with no further damage.

And the most valuable guy on the Cubs staff is ...

Cishek pitched a scoreless eighth and Pedro Strop followed with a scoreless ninth.  I believe Steve Cishek has been the most valuable guy on the Cubs staff thus far this season.  I hope the starters step up going forward.

How do you keep him out of the lineup?

David Bote was in the Cubs lineup, playing third and batting third.  He got two hits.  He needs to be in the lineup more.  Jason Heyward had three hits and two RBIs while Albert Almora Jr. hit his 5^th home run.  All in all, a nice bounce back win for the Cubs.  Now on to Pittsburg.

Rodon is good and getting better

The White Sox actually won a series by virtue of their 6-5 win over the Tigers.  Carlos Rodon was the starter.  Rodon gave up all three Tigers runs in the eight innings he pitched.  The Tigers bunched all three of their runs in the third inning, going up 3-2 at the time.  Rodon thought he got squeezed on a critical pitch in the inning and didn’t respond real well.  That’s happened to Carlos a couple of times this season.  I suspect it well happen less as time goes on.  The Sox have an ace here.

It’s a good thing Rodon was able to go eight innings because the bullpen nearly blew a 6-3 lead in the ninth.  Jeanmar Gomez got one out while giving up two hits and a walk and two runs.  Luis Avilan managed to get the final two outs, but not before giving up two hits.  Avilan got the save, his second, and lowered his ERA to 3.47.  He has a place on the Sox when they get better.

Abreu's annual run

The Sox offense revolved around Jose Abreu and Matt Davidson.  Both had three hits and a home run.  Abreu now has 21 homers and 73 RBIs.  He’s making his annual run at 25 home runs and 100 RBIs.  I think he’ll make it.

And Moncada's puzzling decline

Yoan Moncada continues to regress.  He went 0-4 and his average is down to .219.  The Sox need to get a handle on his decline.  Avisail Garcia is also in the tank.  He went 0-5 and his average is down to .239.  He might be slumping his way out of the White Sox future.