April19th Game’s Results and Analysis

April19^th Game’s Results and Analysis

Milwaukee Brewers 5 - Chicago Cubs 4

Winning Pitcher: Estrada (2-0) Losing Pitcher: Samardzija (1-3)

Save by Henderson (3)

Player of the Game: Ryan Braun

The Chicago Cubs lost in a close game even though they had their chances to win the game. Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija only struggled in the first inning by giving up 4 runs (3 earned). Samardzija went 7 strong innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and one walk. He didn’t have great success at striking out batters with only 4 strikeouts and he gave two homers that cost him the win in today’s game. The Cubs hitters had their chances to tie the game up but failed to rise to the occasion by going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. However the Cubbies did score four runs in the game and worked the counts. Ryan Braun is the player game because of his three run homerun off Samardzija in the first inning which led the Brewers to the victory.

Impressive: The most impressive thing in today’s game was how the Cubbies fought back in the game and that the batters had better success against Estrada than they did in their first matchup against him. The Cubs had success off Estrada by hitting two homers, one by Luis Valbuena which was a solo homer and a two run homerun by David DeJesus. In the top of the 8^th inning Anthony Rizzo hit a homerun off LHP Tom Gorzelanny, which is really impressive because Rizzo has difficult times against left-handed pitchers. Another impressive thing about the Cubs was their waiver claim on outfielder Julio Borbon off the Texas Rangers, Borbon offers the Cubs a speedy outfielder who will hit for a good average.

Surprising: The thing that surprised me the most in tonight’s game was the Cubs pinch hit for Nate Schierholtz. The Cubs used Scott Hairston to pinch hit for Schierholtz, yes it made sense because left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny was on the mound which made sense to get Hairston off the bench, however the Cubs should have known that the Brewers were warming up a RHP in the bullpen in case the Cubs called a right-handed hitter. Also Nate Schierholtz has one hottest bat for the Cubbies lately and he has better plate discipline than Hairston. Nevertheless, the Brewers called in RHP Burke Badenshop from the pen and Scott Hairston struck out looking. Another surprise was that manger Dale Svuem got ejected from the game by arguing ball and strikes with home plate umpire Chris Guccione.

Concerning: What concerned me about the Chicago Cubs is that they at times make silly errors and miscues on the bases, for example Julio Borbon who got caught stealing in the ninth inning. The Cubs had the top of the order coming up next therefore there was no need to try to steal the base, especially when there is a hard-throwing pitcher on the mound like Henderson.  Also the Cubs tend to take too close of pitches when they have two strikes on them in the count for example Hairston, DeJesus and Barney did this in today’s game. I don’t mind seeing a ground out or even a strikeout swinging when the pitch is too close to take, but I hate when players don’t swing the bat when it’s a close call. The last concern of mine is Kevin Gregg, I just strongly believe that he won’t be a reliable pitcher from the bullpen and could cost the Cubs some games this year. Gregg came in the 8^th inning and gave up a hit and a walk without getting an out in the inning.