GOOD NEWS: Cubs defeat Pirates as Kyle Hendricks returns from the IL: ‘Felt wonderful to keep the boys in a game’
PITTSBURGH — The Cubs had seen progress in right-hander Kyle Hendricks’ rehab starts, not only in terms of health but also in mechanics and pitch execution. However, if the ailment virus hadn’t spread throughout their pitching staff, he would have made at least one more start for Triple-A Iowa.
With his schedule pushed, what can the Cubs expect from him on Sunday? His effort in their 5-4, 10-inning win against the Pirates was about the best-case scenario.
‘‘It’s just so important for us right now with the injuries to have him pitch like that,’’ manager Craig Counsell said after Hendricks yielded one run in five innings. ‘‘Most of all, just happy for Kyle.’’
Hendricks didn’t allow a runner into scoring position until the fourth, when he surrendered a solo home run to Oneil Cruz. Then he issued walks to the next two batters he faced.
It was an inflection point in his start.
Hendricks answered by striking out Jared Triolo with a changeup in the outside corner. Then he got Rowdy Tellez to hit a tame comebacker on another changeup to end the inning.
‘‘That mental cue of just locking in on a pitch, committing to the glove and throwing through it,’’ Hendricks said. ‘‘No extra thoughts. Not trying to make something more nasty or trying to pinpoint and make a perfect pitch. Just making a good pitch and living with the results.’’
The overall results were promising, especially compared to Hendricks’ struggles to begin the season, when he logged a 12.00 ERA in five starts before landing on the 15-day injured list with a strained lower back.
He held the Pirates to two hits, and none of the four batters he walked came around to score.
”I really appreciate all the support I’ve gotten from all my colleagues and the staff here,” Hendricks said.
”They’re all completely behind me, and it just feels great to have that. The Cubs monitored Hendricks’ mechanical improvements, pitch shapes, and quality of contact throughout his two rehab starts and were encouraged by what they observed.
‘‘What he did so well last year when he was coming back from the shoulder injury was really hone in on his arm path, how he wanted it to work, getting it up really tight to his ear so that he could get on top of the baseball,’’ pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told the Sun-Times. ‘‘And when it doesn’t get there, it’s really hard for him to drive balls down in the strike zone. So they tend to be flatter, they tend to be up a little bit more. Even the down ones don’t quite have the same depth. So we were seeing that a lot more.’’
Hendricks’ work will continue in the majors. But for the first time all season, he was a big part of a Cubs victory.
‘‘It just felt good to keep the boys in a game and give us a chance to win,’’ he said.
The score was tied at 2-2 after nine innings, thanks to a two-run homer by cleanup hitter Christopher Morel in the first and a run-saving stop by shortstop Nico Hoerner in the ninth.
Then the Cubs rallied for three runs in the 10th. Cody Bellinger had an RBI single, Patrick Wisdom mashed a solo homer and Mike Tauchman scored on a passed ball. It proved to be just enough for the Cubs to claim the rubber game of the series.
‘‘It’s a testament to the resiliency and the consistency of our team but also the lineup,’’ said Wisdom, who went 3-for-4. ‘‘Putting together good at-bats, hitting the ball hard, not letting the hard-hit balls that are caught discourage us and just keep putting traffic on the bases.’’
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