92

Hey hey! Cubs win! Cubs sweep!

 

The North Siders came back to beat the Bucs 8-3 on Wednesday behind a quality start from Hendricks (6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 K), 2-for-5 days from Nico (3 RBI) and Happ, and a 2-for-3 day from Seiya.

 

Merryweather and Fulmer each tossed a scoreless inning of relief. Fulmer has not allowed an earned run in his last 11 appearances, and his ERA has plummeted from 7.84 on May 27 to 5.12 after today.

 

74 games down, 88 to go. Off to London, baby! Go Cubs go!

93

Holy cow! The surging Cubs beat the Pirates 4-0 in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, their 9th win in their last 11 games. Marcus Stroman had a dominant start (7 IP, 0 ER, 5 K) and continues to lead the league in quality starts. Leiter & Alzolay combined for two perfect innings in relief.

Barnhart and Tauchman (.813 OPS) both homered, and Happ had a two-hit night. 

The series against the Bucs wraps up on Wednesday before the North Siders travel to London to face the Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday.

73 games down, 89 to go. Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

97

Holy cow! The Cubs won their fourth in a row on Friday, beating the Orioles 10-3 at Wrigley behind a nice start from Hendricks (5 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) and a six-run offensive outburst in the sixth inning.

Amaya, Swanson, and Morel each hit solo homers in the 3rd to give the Cubs the lead, and the big inning put the game away for the North Siders.

Mancini reached base in all 4 plate appearances, Morel raised his season OPS to 1.063, and Happ & Hoerner each drove in two.

Fulmer had another nice outing (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K) and hasn't given up an earned run in eight appearances since May 27. and newcomer Anthony Kay has looked sharp in his first three appearances as a Cub (3 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K).

The series continues on Saturday in Chicago. 69 games down, 93 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

99

Hey hey! Cubs win! Cubs SWEEP! The North Siders came from behind to beat the Bucs 7-2 on Thursday behind another quality start from Stroman (6 IP, 2 ER, 5 K), a 3-for-3 night from Morel, a 3-for-5 night from Happ, and a 5-run 5th inning. 

 

The Pirates scored two in the 3rd to take the early lead, but the Cubs plated one in the 3rd and put up a five-spot in the 5th to take the lead for good. Morel's night raised his OPS to 1.016 for the season, and Cody Bellinger returned from an IL stint, going 1-for-3 with a run scored, walk, and RBI.

 

The bullpen threw three scoreless innings (0 BB, 2 H, 5 K) to seal the deal for the men in blue.

 

The Orioles come to town on Friday to kick off a three-game weekend series before the Cubs head to Pittsburgh for another three-game set against the first place Buccos.

 

68 games down, 94 to go. Go Cubs go!

 

 Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

 

103

Hey hey! The Cubs beat the first place Bucs 11-3 at Wrigley on Tuesday behind a quality start from Taillon (6 IP, 3 ER, 4 K), 4 RBI from Happ, a 3-run HR from Morel, a clutch pinch-hit 2-RBI single from Gomes, some good luck, and lots of small ball.

 

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Cubs put up three in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good.  The North Siders put up four in the 7th and three in the 8th to seal the deal.

 

The series continues tomorrow at the Friendly Confines.

66 games down, 96 to go. Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

 

105

Holy cow! The Cubs shut out the Giants 4-0 on Saturday behind a dominant start from Kyle Hendricks (8 IP, 1 H, 3 K) and HRs from Mervis and Morel.

Hendricks took a no-hitter into the 8th. With two outs in the 8th, Haniger doubled off the wall for San Francisco's only hit of the game. Hendricks retired the next batter and Merryweather tossed a perfect ninth inning to seal the victory.

Morel had a great night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI and raising his OPS to .970 for the season.

The series wraps up tomorrow in the city by the bay. 64 games down, 98 to go.

Go Cubs go!