Jose Quintana picked up his first career RBI in his final at bat with the White Sox before being traded to the Cubs.
Now, the left-handed starter is eyeing another career first when he faces the Cardinals in his home debut with the Cubs on Sunday night at Wrigley Field.
"I want a hit," Quintana said with a smile before the Cubs rallied to defeat the Cardinals 3-2 Saturday. "I know I'm not a good hitter but I try to do my best. In this league it's really important with sacrifice bunts and trying to make contact."
After the stunning July 13 trade that brought him to the North Side and the National League, Quintana will find himself at the plate a whole lot more than the combined 27 official at bats he got while playing his first five-plus seasons with the Sox in the American League. During an interleague game against the Rockies on July 8, Quintana knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly before leaving the game. He's still looking for his first big-league hit.
Quintana played first base and center field as a kid, but said he was only an average hitter and it was clear his future was pitching.
"Now, hitting counts and I want to do a good job," he said.
