April 18--The summary
The major-league debut of Kris Bryant saw him strike out his first three at-bats while going 0-for-4 Friday at Wrigley Field. In the end, the Padres prevailed 5-4 when Wil Myers hit a three-run homer in the seventh, right after Myers had taken a close pitch for a ball that would have been a third strike. Manager Joe Maddon was ejected after protesting the call when he visited the mound after the home run.
At the plate
Dexter Fowler went 3-for-5 for his first three-hit game of the season. Fowler circled the bases in the seventh when his drive got stuck in the vines in left-center field, even though the ball was clearly visible. He had to settle for a ground-rule double. Anthony Rizzo, who was 1-for-2, has reached base in eight of his first nine games.
On the mound
Jason Hammel pitched 61/3 solid innings before leaving with a 4-2 lead in the seventh. Reliever Brian Schlitter (0-1) took the loss after giving up the home run to Myers. James Shields (2-0) stifled the Cubs over six innings, fanning nine.
In the field
Second baseman Jonathan Herrera was charged with an error when a ground ball eluded him in the ninth.
Key number
46 -- Innings Cubs pitchers threw without allowing a home run until Will Middlebrooks' two-run blast in the fourth.
The quote
"That's the situation you want to be in, and I sure hope to be in that situation again throughout my career. I hope next time I get him." -- Bryant talking about failing to get a hit after Rizzo was walked intentionally to get to him in the seventh.
Up next
Vs. Padres, 1:20 p.m. Saturday, CSN
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