Jose Quintana actually blew it.
Blew an opportunity, that’s, to develop into the primary Cubs pitcher since Ryan Dempster in 2012 — and the primary Cubs lefty since Ken Holtzman in 1969 — to string collectively three straight scoreless begins masking a minimum of seven innings apiece.
Yes, we’re utilizing “blew” very loosely.
The new, unofficial Cubs ace? That may be stretching it, however Quintana (3-1) was locked in once more Tuesday in a 7-2 victory towards the Dodgers within the opener of a three-game collection at Wrigley Field. He went seven robust innings for the third straight outing and got here near retaining the National League’s highest-scoring workforce off the scoreboard.
Chicago Cubs’ Jose Quintana pitches towards the Los Angeles Dodgers in the course of the second inning of a baseball sport Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jim Young)
The Dodgers put one throughout within the third inning on a two-out double by Justin Turner that middle fielder Jason Heyward undoubtedly would love one other crack at reeling in. It actually was a makeable play.
Quintana gave up yet another run on a floor out within the seventh, however supervisor Joe Maddon confirmed super religion in him in by leaving him in to face highly effective pinch hitter Max Muncy with two males on. Quintana caught Muncy wanting on a 3-2 depend on his 114th pitch, his third-most in 50 begins with the Cubs.
Maddon was near pulling Quintana earlier than Muncy’s at-bat, however he deferred to the robust needs of pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.
“I appreciated that,” Quintana mentioned.
At 11-10, the Cubs, 8-2 over their final 10 video games, moved above .500 for the primary time since Opening Day. More necessary, their pitching workers — the beginning rotation specifically — continued to hum alongside. Cubs starters have a 1.39 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 15 walks over the past 10 video games.
Oh, sure, he did
No huge deal — all Javy Baez did to entertain the lots was make throws from impossibly deep within the gap at shortstop, rating from first on a double to left, hit his team-leading seventh residence run and add one among his finest base-running strikes but to his spotlight reel.
Dodgers first baseman David Freese gained’t quickly overlook standing with the ball on the baseline in between Baez and the bag, just for Baez to deke to the within of the road and dive in safely as Freese whiffed badly with the tag.
Baez mentioned he first noticed Royals speedster Billy Hamilton make the transfer throughout his days with the Reds. Cubs third-base coach Brian Butterfield likened Baez to former Bears nice Gale Sayers.
Lester getting shut
Lurking across the Cubs clubhouse was Jon Lester, who has been easing his manner again into motion since straining a hamstring in the course of the residence opener April 9. Will Lester get the ball in Thursday’s collection finale? Maddon was noncommittal however encouraging.
“ ‘Perhaps’ is looking well right now,” Maddon mentioned.
Baby Bote
The Cubs positioned infielder David Bote on the paternity record and recalled lefty reliever Randy Rosario from Class AAA Iowa. Bote was anticipated to be again as quickly as Wednesday. Sullivan Bote can all the time say his previous man bought a walk-off base hit in his final sport earlier than turning into a third-time father.
Hoerner harm
Top infield prospect Nico Hoerner left a sport at Class AA Tennessee within the second inning after he was hit within the hand by a pitch.