MIAMI — After his most prolific sequence of the season, Cubs shortstop Javy Baez was requested how a lot he favored hitting at Marlins Park.
“I’m seeing the ball good, no matter where it is,” he stated. “Hopefully, we go back home, and I keep the same approach, and I see the ball the same way I did in this series.”
In different phrases, Diamondbacks pitchers: Fore!
Baez, who on Tuesday grew to become the third Cubs shortstop in 60 years with three consecutive three-hit video games, added two extra within the 6-Zero victory Wednesday in opposition to the Marlins, together with his second homer in as many nights — the one participant on both workforce to muscle one out in spacious Marlins Park these two video games.
Baez celebrates after Wednesday’s eighth-inning homer.
“I’ve been working on my timing since we started in spring training, and I think this is the hottest I’ve been this year,” he stated. “I’m just trying to focus on keeping it that way and keep swinging at the pitches in the zone.”
His RBI single the alternative strategy to proper within the Cubs’ four-run third was his 500th profession hit. And as a result of he took second on the throw — to the cutoff man — he was capable of rating on Jason Heyward’s ensuing single.
“Javy’s just a different animal, man,” supervisor Joe Maddon stated.
His opposite-field homer within the eighth was his sixth of the season.
He’s on an 11-for-17 tear with six extra-base hits because the Cubs take a break day Thursday after the three-game sweep.
“He’s back in the middle; he’s not trying to pull everything,” Maddon stated. “And when he’s there, he’s very dangerous.”
Baez is off to a powerful begin for the second consecutive 12 months after struggling in April earlier in his profession. It led to his first All-Star look final 12 months, and when he stored it up into the second half, it put him in the midst of the National League MVP race (ending second to Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich).
It additionally helped compensate for early-season struggles by key hitters similar to Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo and Kris Bryant have struggled within the early going this time round. Baez and catcher Willson Contreras have been huge the explanation why the Cubs have been capable of climb to at least one recreation of .500 after the workforce’s six-game skid the primary week of the season.
“Hopefully, I just keep it going,” Baez stated.
Edwards injured
Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr., who was demoted to Class AAA Iowa on April 6, confirmed up for the I-Cubs’ doubleheader after a break day with a badly scraped-up pitching hand and was placed on the seven-day minor-league injured checklist.
The workforce reported that Edwards slipped on stairs and was harm bracing his fall with the suitable hand.
This and that
Infielder David Bote, who appeared to harm his left aspect on a swing late within the recreation Tuesday, stated he had no points with it Wednesday.
“Just an awkward swing,” he stated. “Nothing the rest of the day and nothing this morning, so all good.”
† Left-hander Mike Montgomery (lat pressure) pitched two scoreless innings in his first minor-league rehab recreation for Class A South Bend, permitting one hit and hanging out 4 and not using a stroll.
He’s anticipated to make one other rehab begin in a number of days and stretch to not less than three innings.
The Cubs haven’t projected a timeline for his return but.
† Left-hander Xavier Cedeno, who missed all of spring coaching due to a sprained left wrist, is scheduled for his first minor-league rehab look Thursday with Class AA Tennessee.