Levine: Cubs Are Methodical In Easy Win
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It certainly looked easy for the Cubs on Wednesday evening, as they made mince meat out of Reds right-hander Alfredo Simon and three relievers on their way to a seventh win in eight games to start the season.
The Cubs scored five runs off of Simon and made him throw an incredible 49 pitches before he would exit with two outs in the first inning. The quality at-bats of the Chicago offense created three bases on balls in the first inning among the first five batters.
"You are never gong to hear me complain about watching our guys score runs," said Cubs right-hander John Lackey, the beneficiary of the offensive outburst in a 9-2 win. "I will sit there and drink coffee as long as they want to hit."
The patience of an offense averaging around seven runs per game has made life easy on the Cubs pitching staff – specifically the starters, who have yet to lose a game.
Lackey went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, both earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out seven.
"We had a pretty good lead from the first inning," Lackey said. "With the wind blowing in from right, you definitely want to keep your guys moving and get them back into the dugout."
Cubs manager Joe Maddon is blessed with a solid group of players who just seem to take advantage of every opening the opposition has offered so far this season. The Cubs have led in every game so far and have baseball's best run differential at plus-36.
"We just had great at-bats all night long," Maddon said. "We have not been chasing out of the zone, up and down the lineup. That's what we talk about (daily) -- getting into their bullpen. The starter threw a lot of pitches tonight. That is what we are trying to get done."
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant hit his first home run of the season, a low line drive down the left-field line that had to be smoked out, considering the elements.
"It's always good to get the first one out of the way," Bryant said. "This was one of those days you don't expect to do that. It was a nice surprise. I had some good at-bats today. I was seeing the ball really well. I am pleased with my approach up there."
The Cubs are 7-1 to start a season for the first time since 1985. Their patient approach led to 10 walks Wednesday, bringing their MLB-leading total to 48.
"We all push each other," Bryant said. "We see each other doing well and each wants to do as well as we can to be up there with the other guys. I think this is something great to have as a team. We just push each other and get to where we want to be as a team. Today was a perfect example of that"
The Cubs have now won 15 of their last 16 regular-season games dating back to the end of last season, and their 7-1 mark is tied with the Orioles for the best in baseball.
"The mentality of the group is just to help the team win," outfielder Jason Heyward said. "Nobody is out there trying to do it for themselves. We are all about trying to do the best we can to help each other out."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
