Even in loss, Chicago Cubs manage to keep it close
Cubs manager Joe Maddon had one word for it.
"Crazy," he said.
Maddon was talking before Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers about the 30 games his team had played that had been decided by 1 run.
The Cubs are 18-12 in such games.
The margin was a little wider Wednesday, as Los Angeles broke out early and came away with a 5-2 victory at Wrigley Field. Of course, Maddon rarely has just one word to say about anything. So he expounded on the number of 1-run games and his team's success in them.
"It's crazy," he said, repeating his theme. "The 1-run game theory, everybody's always looking for reasons why. A couple years ago when I managed against Baltimore, Baltimore was incredible winning 1-run games.
"I thought at that time it spoke to two things. I thought they played hard all the time, a bunch of grinders. I thought their bullpen was spectacular. I thought those were the two biggest reasons why Baltimore won a lot of 1-run games."
So in what category did Maddon put his current team?
"I'll put ourselves, our team, in the category of being grinders," he said. "I like the way we're going about it. Our bullpen over the last month has been outstanding. I really think at the end of the day, to win 1-run games, I talk a lot of about present tense and focus and those kinds of things. That combined with players that just don't quit. They just don't quit, and a bullpen that can hold it down."
Things looked like they might get away from the Cubs early Wednesday against the Dodgers.
Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks gave up a leadoff homer to Adrian Gonzalez in the second inning. In the third, it was a 3-run blast by Justin Turner that gave the visitors a 4-0 lead.
It has been an up-and-down start to the year for the 25-year-old Hendricks, who is beginning his first full season in the major leagues.
He lasted 5 innings Wednesday, giving up 4 hits and 4 runs. He has not gone at least 6 innings in a start since June 2, and he has not enjoyed a quality start since May 26.
"My last 2 starts, I've give my team zero chance to win, which is pathetic, really," Hendricks said.
The Cubs battled back, as usual, and the game ended with an unsuccessful replay challenge. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Chris Denorfia rocketed a ball off the door in left field, but he was called out at second. A lengthy replay delay allowed the call to stand. Denorfia said, "It's not a smart baseball play" on his part, but Maddon was adamant his man was safe.
"I cannot believe the conclusion," Maddon said. "I wish whomever made that call could have just been at Wrigley Field looking at the big screen if they wanted to see something definitive. To say there was nothing definitive (to overturn the call) right there, I cannot disagree with more strongly. I have no idea why they would say that. It makes zero sense to me whatsoever.
"I'm almost curious if we need more than one confirming opinion in regards to making a change because that might be the worst non-overturn I've seen to this point. Did I make that clear?"