The Recap (8/13/17) – D-backs 2, Cubs 7: Godley Overcomes Rocky Start, Bullpen Falters
Well if turnabout is really fair play then I suppose we should have expected this. The Diamondbacks took two-of-three from the Cubs last week and the Cubs just returned the favor.
Zack Godley struck out the first two batters and it looked like he might get into a groove early. However, the third batter in the inning, Kris Bryant, was 6-for-10 in the first two games of the series and he kept his hot hitting going with a single off Godley that kept the inning alive. After a walk to Anthony Rizzo, Godley threw a wild pitch and fell to the ground when he released the ball. Bryant came all the way from second to score, as Godley scrambled to try and cover home plate.
Godley gave up a one-out single to Javy Baez in the top of the 2nd inning. Jon Jay doubled to drive Baez across the plate and put the Cubs up 2-0. Godley performed much better after he settled in, allowing only one more hit — four total on the day — as he worked his way through 5 2/3 innings.
The D-backs offense struggled mightily against Jake Arrieta. Although they managed to manufacture a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 5th inning, cutting the Cubs lead to one.
It would stay close until the bottom of the 8th. After Jorge De La Rosa allowed a leadoff single he was replaced by Jake Barrett, who issued a one-out intentional walk to Jason Heyward with a runner already on second base. The next batter, Javy Baez hit a three-run home run. Ian Happ followed making it back-to-back home runs for the Cubs.
Kris Bryant led off the top of the 9th inning with a home run against Barrett. That was the third home run of the game given up by Barrett.
Paul Goldschmidt added a solo home run in the bottom of the 9th inning, but the Cubs closed it out after that.
Stats that matter
- Godley had a rough start but settled in nicely – 5.2 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 8 K
- Jake Barrett had only given up two home runs all season before today – 4 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
- Two: The number of extra base hits the D-backs had in this game, including Goldy’s HR
Bottom line
Jake Barrett has been solid all year, posting a 1.93 ERA entering today. He’s the last guy you’d expect to implode, but that’s exactly what happened. And not at a good time, as if there is such a thing.
Fortunately for the D-backs, the Rockies and the Cardinals both lost today, so they don’t lose any ground in the Wild Card race.
On deck
It doesn’t get any easier for the D-backs. They now host the Houston Astros on Monday at 6:40 pm MT. Zack Greinke will take the ball for the D-backs in the first of the two-game series.
