Inside The Cubs

Drew Smyly and the Long Ball Propel Chicago Cubs Past Giants on Friday

The Chicago Cubs defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Friday evening as they get back on track.
Kade Kistner|
Drew Smyly and the Long Ball Propel Chicago Cubs Past Giants on Friday
Drew Smyly and the Long Ball Propel Chicago Cubs Past Giants on Friday

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Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs wanted to get back on track Friday after losing two in a row to the Cincinnati Reds and dropping the series. They did just that as the Cubs had Drew Smyly take the ball for the start and he twirled a gem.

Smyly went 7.0 innings and gave up just one run, which wasn't earned, while striking out eight. It was an incredible performance against a meaty Giants lineup. 

Teammates Yan Gomes and Nico Hoerner backed up their starter, each launched two-run home runs in the second and sixth innings, respectively.

It was a good performance by the offense, especially with Carlos Rodón on the mound who carries a 2.93 ERA on the season. 

However, if not for the two long balls, Chicago would have had trouble creating any offense. Only three other hits were recorded, one other by Hoerner, one from Seiya Suzuki, and one from Hermosillo, all singles.

Perhaps better news is that the bullpen did not meltdown once again. On both Wednesday and Thursday the bullpen was the culprit for collapse and destroyed the Cubs' chances of a series win and potential sweep.

On Friday afternoon, the unit only gave up one earned run. Manuel Rodríguez relieved Smyly in the eighth and promptly allowed a run to score, but, Brandon Hughes was called in for the last out of the eighth then came back out for the ninth. He recorded a clean four-out save, his fourth of the season, and secured the win.

Overall, it was a good performance from Chicago who will look to build upon it this weekend.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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