The Chicago Cubs were destroyed by the New York Mets on Friday afternoon, but a rookie reliever for Chicago provided a dominant performance.
23-year-old Porter Hodge took the mound in the sixth inning and proceeded to strike out five Mets in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Hodge gave up one hit and walked two but did not allow an earned run.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander has now tallied 12 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched in his first season.
Shōta Imanaga struggled mightily out of the gate for Craig Counsell's Cubs, giving up a three-run blast to J.D. Martinez in the first inning.
Imanaga ended up allowing no less than 10 earned runs over 3 innings pitched in a nightmare outing that skyrocketed his ERA to 2.96.
Chicago, now 36-40 on the season after the loss, fell to last place in the National League Central heading into the weekend.
It is difficult to zero in on the most problematic sector of Chicago's inconsistent roster, but the Cubs’ staff and bullpen have both left a lot to be desired.
As such, Counsell should feel excited about Hodge's performance, one of the only bright spots during an otherwise dreadful day at Wrigley Field.
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