Cubs open Wrigley Field with a 5-0 victory over the Rockies, led by Shota Imanaga in his major league debut.
He certainly seems to be settling into Chicago.
In his major league debut, Imanaga pitched six brilliant innings, and the Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Monday thanks to another error on defense by Nolan Jones.
Imanaga pitched Chicago’s home opener in short sleeves on a chilly, overcast afternoon, striking out nine batters. Throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes, the Japanese left-hander, who inked a $53 million, four-year deal with the Cubs in January, gave up only two hits while walking none.
“He threw a ton of strikes, which is something he’s always done well,” manager Craig Counsell, who won his home debut with Chicago after being hired in November, said of the player’s performance today. “And then, the walk is kind of one of the worst things you can do from a pitching standpoint, given the conditions today.”
Although Dakota Hudson had a strong outing in his first start for Colorado, the right-hander lost the game after making two mistakes on one play in the sixth inning against Jones.
Christopher Morel singled into left field with one out in a scoreless game with runners on first and second. The ball rolled all the way to the wall and under the glove of a charging Jones.
With a thunderous cheer from the 40,072 spectators at Wrigley Field, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki dashed home. Brendan Rodgers, the second baseman, was unable to catch Jones’ throw from the warning track on the outfield grass, and Morel scored on a headfirst slide.
In Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Arizona, Jones also misplayed a routine fly ball, which resulted in two unearned runs.
He remarked, “I just think I might not have put my glove down.” “I’ve made mistakes in the outfield the last two days, which has cost us games.” It’s not acceptable, and I must improve for the benefit of our team.
After losing its opening two games of the season at Texas, Chicago won its second straight game thanks to a two-run single by Cody Bellinger in the seventh inning.
In 5 1/3 innings, Hudson (0-1) was given credit for three unearned runs and four hits. In free agency, he consented to a one-year contract with Colorado.
It’s good to be outside. Hudson stated, “I was just trying to eat up some innings and keep the ball on the ground as best I could.”
Before Drew Smyly wrapped up the three-hitter for Chicago, Yency Almonte worked the eighth. Before Charlie Blackmon singled to center with two outs in the sixth inning, Imanaga (1-0) was in the middle of a no-hitter. Rodgers then hit a base single again, but Imanaga was able to get out of the jam by fanning Jones.
Via a translator, Imanaga remarked, “It was a unique atmosphere, especially in the last strikeout.” “And even though the pitch may not have had the best speed, I was still able to get that strikeout thanks to the support of the fans.”
After second baseman Morel made a mistake, Kris Bryant reached for Colorado’s first baserunner. However, the inning was ended by a fly out by Ezequiel Tovar after Ryan McMahon and Elias Dรญaz struck out swinging.