Hammel pitches and hits Chicago Cubs to victory
The Chicago Cubs are exactly one-third of the way through their season.
They have won 39 of 54 games, and we'll pause here to let you do the math on what that projects to over 162 games.
Yes, these Cubs are on pace to win 117 games. It may not play out that way, but there's a whole lot to like with this team.
It was right there in front of everybody Saturday during a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at rain-soaked Wrigley Field.
Starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who took the mound in a steady rain, gave up a walk and a home run in the first inning, but the homer was the only hit he allowed through 7 innings as he improved to 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA.
Hammel suffered hamstring cramps in his previous start, but he showed no ill effects Saturday.
In addition to the Cubs having good players, one of the reasons for their success this year is that everybody is buying into the program set forth by manager Joe Maddon and the team leaders.
"One hundred percent," Hammel said. "Kind of follow the leader. We trust everybody to be ready. They're doing their work to be prepared. Obviously, we have the talent in the room to do it. As long as everybody does their job and shows up on time, it's going to continue and we'll end up in a pretty good place when the season's all said and done."
To this point, Maddon doesn't have to say much to his players.
"They get it, meaning that they know they're surrounded by a great group of players," he said. "I don't think we're motivated by just getting to the playoffs. We're motivated by playing the last game of the year and winning it this year. I think if you're really motivated by more of the altruistic thoughts or team concepts, you can fit into that approach."
Hammel gave up the first-inning homer to Jake Lamb after he walked Paul Goldschmidt. Lamb's name was on file with Maddon later in the game.
Dexter Fowler hit his seventh homer of the season leading off the bottom of the first. The Cubs scored three times in the fourth, with Jorge Soler tying the game with a ground-rule double to the ivy in left-center. Hammel, a .269 hitter with 7 RBI, grounded one up the middle. The ball hit the second-base bag and went for a 2-run single.
Maddon's managing paid off in the eighth after Pedro Strop gave up a leadoff homer to Yasmany Tomas. Strop got the next two hitters before allowing a pair of singles. Trevor Cahill came in and walked Goldschmidt.
With the left-handed hitting Lamb coming up, Maddon went to lefty Travis Wood, and D'Backs manager Chip Hale pinch hit with right-handed hitter Rickie Weeks, who wound up lining out to Ben Zobrist at second base.
"I did not want Lamb hitting," Maddon said. "Did not want Lamb hitting. I thought they might pinch hit. I have not seen enough of Weeks to know where he's at physically. I also know that I like Travis on righties. So I thought that was the better matchup. We got lucky. Weeks worked a great at-bat, but also give Travis credit for throwing that strike right there."
Wood is a player who has bought into what Maddon is doing, and it started last year, when he lost his starting job and reinvented himself as an effective relief pitcher. Earlier in the week, he worked 4 innings in relief of Hammel to get a win over the Dodgers.
"It's very satisfying, just to see the way the team's playing, not only for myself but for the entire team to finally see things start paying off and playing that great baseball we're capable of playing," Wood said.
The Cubs got an insurance run in the eighth on an Anthony Rizzo homer.
With ace Jake Arrieta going Sunday and the team showing no signs of slowing down, who knows where this thing could end up.
"Give our guys credit," Maddon said. "At the end of the day, man, it's about focus and preparation every day, and our guys have it. Our starting pitching has been fabulous. It's been fabulous. They've taken a lot of heat off the bullpen, and they've permitted us to get into the flow of the game offensively sometimes.
"If your pitchers are keeping the other side down, they keep that window kind of open, and there's a greater degree of hope. What can I say, man? Nothing to complain about."
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