Rich Hill Brilliant in His Return from The Disabled List
Tuesday’s second match-up of the day between the Dodgers and Cubs was as close as the first game but with a script reversal. In game one of Tuesday’s double-header, Kyle Farmer, A.K.A. “Mr. Clutch”, hit the go-ahead shot in the top of the 9th inning that would end up winning the game. Game 2 extended into the 10th inning eventually favoring the Cubs. The Chicago Cubs’, Albert Almora Jr. would hit a game winning single to walk-off in what was a low-energy thriller that lasted 10 innings.
Starters
Rich Hill vs. Mike Montgomery
- Rich Hill: 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- Mike Montgomery: 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Both pitchers performed well on the mound and saw a great deal of success with their breaking pitches. Montgomery threw his slider early and often keeping Dodger hitters limited to soft contact. But the real story of the night was Hill’s return to the mound.
Rich Hill looked fantastic throwing his curveball back and forth in between his well-located fastball. He kept Cubs hitters off-balance all night by locating his curveball and fastball on the corners.
Scoring
Top of the 6th
Dodgers 1 – Cubs 0
After a key steal of second base by Cody Bellinger after reaching base on a walk, Austin Barnes taps a grounder through the gap between 3rd and short. Bellinger scores from 2nd.
The lead is ours. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/MtxhXpA6uH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2018
Bottom of the 7th
Dodgers 1 – Cubs 1
Kyle Schwarber hits a solo jack to the moon on the first pitch of the at-bat to deep right field of Eric Goeddel. This one was absolutely destroyed.
.@kschwarb12 hits 'em hard and hits 'em far. pic.twitter.com/LKg5fYJwSR
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2018
Bottom of the 10th
Dodgers 1 – Cubs 2
Kris Bryant hit a moonshot triple that caromed off the right field wall and toward first base before Yasiel Puig could run it down. After walking the next hitter to set up the potential double play, Albert Almora Jr. hit a walk-off single into right field to seal the game.
.@albertalmora ends it. #EverybodyIn #Walkoff pic.twitter.com/eksydnCklJ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2018
Bullpen
After an incredible run the last month where the Dodger bullpen has been electric, they finally came back to earth a bit by allowing both of the 2 runs scored by the Cubs to win the game. The bullpen took over for Rich Hill in the 7th inning and would eventually lose the game in the bottom of the 10th inning after Kris Bryant hit a lead-off triple and Albert Almora Jr. singled him in to win. Eric Goeddel gave up the first earned run by a solo homer in one inning of work. Brock Stewart would give up the second earned run in the bottom of the 10th after allowing a lead-off triple to Kris Bryant.
Fun Facts
- Dodgers had 8 of the 11 innings where the lead-off man reaches base.
- The Dodgers left 13 total men on base. The Cubs left 10 total men on base. Combined that is total of 23 men left on base in 10 innings.
- Eric Goeddel’s 14.2 inning scoreless streak since coming over via trade from the Mariners came to and end tonight with Kyle Schwarber’s solo homer in the 7th.
- Cody Bellinger is now 15-18 in stolen base attempts on his career.
Key Performances
- Rich Hill: 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- Logan Forsythe: 3 hits (1 single, 2 doubles), 1 walk, reached base on all 4 at-bats
Analysis
After a long DL sting that left Hill off the mound boasting an ugly 6.20 ERA, Hill returned to dominant form against a potent Cubs lineup that has been punishing lefties and now sports a 4.99 ERA. This performance will surely inspire confidence in himself and Dodger fans everywhere.
As for the Dodger bats, game 2 of Tuesday’s double-header was a tough one. The Dodgers finished 2-15 with men in scoring position. They will need to capitalize on getting men in who have reached base going forward or, as they have been doing well recently, continue to hit home runs.
Next Up
Final game of the series vs the Chicago Cubs
- Wed @ 11:20 PST
- Ross Stripling (1.76 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (2.28 ERA)
