In his fifth start of the season, Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks struggles once more.
Before the final game of the four-game series versus Miami, Chicago had won six of eight games, but there are increasing concerns about Hendricks’ play. After five starts, he has a 12.00 ERA, giving up 37 hits and 28 runs in 21 innings pitched.
Kyle is a competent pitcher. He’s having trouble. Before the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell observed, “He struggled his first four starts.” “You do realize that the next question is always, ‘Why?'” And the reasons are seldom easily explained. All we can do is persist, and Kyle must persist in his efforts to solve the puzzle.
On Sunday, Hendricks pitched a spotless first inning, but in the second, Jesús Sánchez smashed a solo home run with a 460-foot drive to center. Miami scored two runs in the fourth inning after registering four straight singles on five pitches. The Marlins led 4-1 after Emmanuel Rivera scored another run on a fielder’s choice ground ball.
Hendricks threw 56 pitches, 44 of which were strikes, a season low. In all five of his starts, he has not thrown more than five innings. “You do realize that the next question is always, ‘Why?'” And the reasons are seldom easily explained. All we can do is persist, and Kyle must persist in his efforts to solve the puzzle.
On Sunday, Hendricks pitched a spotless first inning, but in the second, Jesús Sánchez smashed a solo home run with a 460-foot drive to center.
Miami scored two runs in the fourth inning after registering four straight singles on five pitches. The Marlins led 4-1 after Emmanuel Rivera scored another run on a fielder’s choice ground ball. Hendricks threw 56 pitches, 44 of which were strikes, a season low. In all five of his starts, he has not thrown more than five innings.