CI Recap (7/14/18) – Cubs 11, Padres 6: Javy Drives in Five as First Place Cubs Secure Series Victory in SD

It’s Javy’s world, we all just live in it. The El Mago show was on full display once again Saturday night, as the Cubs second baseman drove in five runs, including a three-run homer in the ninth inning. His performance, along with a solid five innings from Kyle Hendricks, paced the first place Cubs en route to a victory.

Kyle Hendricks fell behind early after Eric Hosmer’s two-run home run in the first inning, but Hendricks was able to limit the damage for the rest of his outing. Because he had thrown so many pitches in the first two innings, Hendricks was only able to go five innings, but he allowed just those two runs while striking out three and walking none.

The Cubs power was also on display Saturday, as Ian Happ’s solo shot in the second pulled the Cubs to within one, and Kyle Schwarber’s two-run bomb in the fourth put the Cubs ahead 3-2. Javy would add to the lead with a two-run double in the top of the fifth making it 5-2 Cubs. After Hunter Renfroe homered to pull San Diego to within a run in the seventh, Addison Russell singled in a run and Victor Caratini doubled in two more to put the Cubs ahead 8-4. In the ninth, Javy put on a show for the raucous Cubs fans who had taken over Petco Park with his 19th home run of the season. The Padres added two in the ninth off Rob Zastryzny, but Rob Z was eventually able to close the door and secure the Cubs win.

Why the Cubs Won

The Cubs offense was out in full force today, putting up 11 runs on Padres’ pitching. Three home runs, 13 hits, and 4-10 with RISP will generally get the job done.

Key Moment

While it wasn’t the deciding factor in the game, Javy’s home run in the ninth gets the nod here. Yet another road ballpark filled with a chorus of “Javy! Javy! Javy” chants. The man is can’t-miss television on a nightly basis.

Stats That Matter

• Ian Happ went 2-4 and hit his 11th home run of the season. He also scored three runs.
• Kyle Schwarber hit his 18th home run of the season in preparation for his appearance in the Home Run Derby this coming Monday.
• Javy now has 71 RBI on the season, which is four short of his CAREER high. He is having a special season, folks.
• Given the rest of the teams power display, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward “quietly” had a nice nights batting 2/3 in the order, each going 2-5 with two runs scored.

Bottom Line

The Brewers lost twice to the Pirates on Saturday, so the Cubs victory puts them 1.5 games up in the NL Central. That means that no matter what happens on Sunday, the Cubs will enter the All Star Break in sole posession of first place in the NL Central. Good times!

On Deck

The final game of the first half is set for 3:10 CT on Sunday and will be aired on WGN. Jon Lester takes the mound for the Cubs, with Eric Lauer getting the ball for San Diego.