Cubs Dispatch Angels Behind Outstanding Lackey Outing

If you could write up a win, that would pretty much be the way you’d write it. The Chicago Cubs (70-41) and John Lackey (9-7, 3.56 ERA) had a rough start to this one, giving up a solo home run in the first inning. Lackey would strap in after that and completely shut the Angels down.

The Cubs would strike back in the bottom of the third inning when rookie stud Willson Contreras would smack a drive to deep left center and, just like that, the score was tied. It wouldn’t stay that way for long.

In the very next inning the Cubs would come out locked in. After Anthony Rizzo hit a lead off double, Ben Zobrist came up and, on a 3/2 pitch, he would loop a double down the right field line, driving in Rizzo to make the score 2-1, Cubs.

A Jorge Soler single would put Zobrist on third base and Addison Russell would then drive him in with a sacrifice fly.

The Cubs would add two more in the bottom of the fifth inning off a Kris Bryant rocket into the left field bleachers and a Jorge Soler RBI single.

The Cubs have no problems tonight and take this one 5-1 (Box Score).

Stats that mattered

• John Lackey literally threw one bad pitch and it ended up in the seats – 8.0IP, 1R, 3H, 1BB, 6Ks, 1HR
• The Cubs were 3-for-5 (.600) with RISP
• Anthony Rizzo had a night – 2-for-3, 2R, 1BB, 2B
• Kris Bryant went yard….again (28)
• Willson Contreras went deep for a solo shot
• Excluding their home run, the Angels had no runners past first base

Bottom line

Things are moving along so well right now for the Cubs, part of me wishes the playoffs were tomorrow. But they aren’t. Such is the plight of baseball. One thing we know for certain is this, the Cubs are very good, and when they play well, they are scary good.

And yes, I am enjoying the heck out of this season.

Next up

The Cubs will play the Angels tomorrow night in the two-game series finale. Game time is 7:05 PM CDT and Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) will take the hill for the Cubs.