Cole Hamels picked up right where he left off before an oblique injury kept him out for the last month.
Hamels, who posted a 1.22 ERA in six June starts, threw five scoreless innings in his first start back from the injured list Saturday in a 4-1 win over the Brewers. He exited the game with a 1-0 lead after 74 pitches but didn’t factor in the decision.
“I’m going out there and just really trying to execute pitches,” Hamels said. “I know I was on a pitch count, so I had to make them count. You just try to not overdo it.”
The Cubs’ starting rotation is now healthy from top to bottom for the first time since mid-June. With a shaky bullpen and an inconsistent offense, the rotation will surely be the team’s most dependable asset in the final two months of the season
The starters seem to be getting hot at the right time, too. Jose Quintana has won five consecutive starts, and Yu Darvish had 36 strikeouts and just two walks in July. Cubs starters haven’t allowed a walk in five straight starts.
Hamels last pitched June 28, leaving that start against the Reds after one inning.
No signs of that injury were present Saturday. He struck out six batters and gave up four hits, all singles. His fastball touched 92 mph, and manager Joe Maddon gave particular praise to his changeup and curveball.
“He had a playoff-slash-World Series changeup going on today,” Maddon said. “He was very good. I thought he had a good line and threw a couple good curveballs. That was very impressive for his first time back.”
Brach designated for assignment
The Cubs designated right-handed reliever Brad Brach for assignment to make room on the roster for Hamels.
Brach struggled all season, racking up 28 walks in 39 2/3 innings to go with a 6.13 ERA.
All Maddon could do was scratch his head.
“Every time he went out there, I expected a good result,” Maddon said. “He was throwing the ball well all year. He’s run into some bad luck. Velocity was good. It’s really hard to understand why he had such a hard time.”
The Cubs signed Brach to a one-year deal in February after an impressive 2018 season. He posted a 1.52 ERA in 27 appearances with the Braves after a trade from the Orioles.
“You watch from the side, and none of it makes sense,” Maddon said. “It just doesn’t. I think right now his confidence has been nicked a little bit, and once he gets his mojo back, he’s going to be fine. He’s just been a little unlucky this year.”
