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It was emotional. Tempers flared. It became a rout. Ian Happ drove in two runs, Seiya Suzuki drove in another 3, and the Chicago Cubs rolled past the Milwaukee Brewers with a 9-0 shutout on Saturday afternoon in Chicago.
It was an easy win for the Cubs in all facets of the game, improving to a perfect 2-0 on the young season. It did not go without controversy, as Milwaukee's Andrew McCutchen was hit by a pitch in the 8th inning, which resulted in both benches and bullpens being cleared. McCutchen getting hit came after 3 Cubs batters were hit by pitches earlier in the game, and Willson Contreras was hit on Thursday.
Cubs hitting coach Greg Brown said of the approach at the plate that "We have different ways of scoring runs, and I think that you look at it from a team aspect, our goal is, we’re going to have to find runs up and down the lineup, through our bench. We need to be able to be a little bit more dynamic and be able to score. I think that that's our goal. It's to not be siloed into the three-run homer. I think that we need to be able to do multiple things."
The Cubs got on the board early, with Happ drawing a bases loaded walk in the first inning, plating Rafael Ortega to make it 1-0 Cubs. Nick Madrigal came across on a Frank Schwindel fielders choice to make it 2-0. Contreras scored on a Suzuki sac fly to make it 3-0 Cubs after one inning. In the 3rd, Suzuki hit an RBI single to center fiedl, scoring Happ to make it a 4-0 Cubs lead.
In the 4th inning, the Cubs built on their lead, with Happ lacing a single to right field, scoring Ortega to make it a 5-0 ballgame. Contreras then scored when Suzuki drew a bases loaded walk, making it 6-0 Cubs. Happ then scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-0. In the 6th, Patrick Wisdom made it a 9-0 game with a two run infield single, plating Schwindel and Happ.
Cubs manager David Ross said of the hitting game that "I don't know that power is going to be our strongest suit. But the good at-bats and turning over to the next guy seems to be a trend already that I love. And that, with these guys, their characteristics, should play out, if we continue to put these guys in the right spots. That's the kind of offense I hope we can have."
Getting the start for the Cubs and also the win was Justin Steele, who had a strong outing. Steele lasted 5 innings, allowing just 4 hits and one walk, striking out 5 in a shutout performance. Keegan Thompson threw 2 2/3 shutout innings in relief, followed by scoreless outings from Scott Effross and Ethan Roberts.
Milwaukee's starter was Brandon Woodruff, who got hit around in this one. Woodruff lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out two hitters. After Jose Urena threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Jandel Gustave allowed two runs in his appearance. Trevor Gott and Hoby Milner followed with scoreless appearances.
McCutchen said of two straight losses to start the season that "It is part of the game. I hate to say that. But it is what happens. We are too good of a team to let this bother us. It's two games. Just as quick as you can lose two, you can win two. Show up tomorrow and be ready to go."
The Cubs and Brewers conclude their opening series on Sunday afternoon, with Marcus Stroman getting the start as the Cubs go for the sweep, while Freddy Peralta starts for the Brewers.
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