Javier Assad shines as Chicago Cubs take First of Doubleheader Against Cardinals
Chicago Cubs prospect Javier Assad made his MLB debut against the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals in game one of a day-night doubleheader.
Assad ran into a little first inning trouble after a leadoff double from Cardinals' Lars Nootbar but escaped without damage after three groundouts. In the second, the young prospect picked a good guy to record his first career strikeout against, getting Albert Pujols on the outside corner.
Adam Wainwright ran into trouble in a tough third inning. With runners on first and third, Nico Horner hit a short chopper just above his head and drove in Christopher Morel. The Cubs added on with an Ian Happ walk, and a single from Seiya Suzuki to make it 2-0 after three.
Adam Wainwright struggled with his pitch count through the first four, with over 80 pitches but settled down for the fifth and sixth, saving most of the bullpen for the night game.
Assad went two more innings scoreless but would be taken out in the fifth after a Nootbar double and a walk to Brandon Donovan. Assad went four-plus, allowing just four hits and striking out three. He was plagued by walks but an overall successful outing for the rookie. Michael Rucker got out of the jam and came back out for a one-two-three sixth.
In the seventh, Sean Newcomb faced the minimum and would've went the full inning if not for a throwing error. Erich Uelmen allowed a single to Paul Goldschmidt but settled down against Nolan Arenado for a scoreless seventh. Uelmen would come back out for the eighth and went unscathed outside of hitting Paul DeJong.
Jojo Romero pitched two scoreless innings for the Cardinals but wouldn't matter about Brandon Hughes retired the side in order for the ninth for his third career save.
The Cubs got the only offense needed in the third in a quick 2-0 shutout over the Cardinals, improving their record to 53-69 on the season.
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