“CY”le Hendricks and His Opening Day Start
103 pitches. 9 strike outs. 3 hits. 0 walks. 1 complete game shutout.
Kyle Hendricks was everything the Chicago Cubs could have hoped for in their 3-0 Opening Day victory over their NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers. It was Major League Baseball’s first Opening Day complete game by a starting pitcher since 2013, and Hendricks became the first Cub to do it since Bill Bonham in 1974. The Brewers never garnered more than a single off of Hendricks, while shortstop Orlando Arcia collected all three hits for the visiting Brew Crew. Centerfielder, Ian Happ, said after the game of Hendricks’ outing, “I basically could have sat down out there.” At one point, the Cubs starter needed only FIVE pitches to send the Brewers packing 1-2-3 in the top of the 7th inning.
From a manager’s perspective, Brewers manager Craig Counsell gave credit where credit was clearly due, he said, “That’s what he does, but I think he did it as good as he could do it today.” Cubs manager David Ross, who earned his first victory as an MLB manager, stated, “In today’s world where everybody has ‘stuff,’ its just so much fun to watch him dissect a lineup.” Hendricks will begin the season with a 1-0 record and stellar 0.00 ERA.
“I didn’t expect that,” Hendricks said. Short and sweet, hopefully a preview of what Cubs fans will see from him this season.
Kyle Hendricks 0.00 ERA (1-0) will next take the mound for the Cubs on Wednesday, 7/29, in Cincinnati at 6:40pm EST, against likely Reds starter, Sonny Gray 1.50 ERA (1-0).
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