Category: Sports

Andrew Mahaffey of CHS football

Fighting the rain, a slick field and the #2 team in the state, the Coffee County Red Raider football team traveled to Murfreesboro to take on Blackman on Friday night.  While much could be said for the devastating rainfall by the remnants of Harvey, Blackman running back Master Teague was devastating in his own way as he rushed for 217 yards to lead Blackman to the 49 to 14 win.

Teague, an Ohio State verbal commitment, carried the ball 17 times to amass the 217 yards as he scored 4 touchdowns. Colton Prater had Coffee County’s first touchdown of the night in the first quarter as he kept the ball on a keeper over the left side to score from 9 yards out.  Prater connected with Alontae Taylor for a 46 yard touchdown pass in the 3^rd quarter for Coffee County’s second score.  Prater finished the game with 9 rushes for 39 yards on the ground and completed 6 of 13 passes for 82 yards.  Taylor finished the night with 3 receptions for 64 yards.  Cameron West finished with 33 yards on 7 carries and Hayden Skipper added 4 carries for 29 yards.  Andrew Mahaffey grabbed 2 interceptions for Coffee County as he was named the Crazy Daisies Player of the Game.

The Raiders will take off next Friday as they will enjoy a bye week.  The Red Raiders return to action on Friday, September 15^th when they play host to Warren County.  That game will get underway at 7 PM.

You can download a copy of the broadcast by visiting: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/

In his first Major League start, rookie lefty Max Fried combined with four Braves relievers to end the Cubs’ winning streak at six games. The lefty scattered four hits, including a solo homer by Ian Happ, over five innings in the Braves’ 5-1 victory over the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

With the loss and the Brewers’ win over the Nationals on Sunday, the Cubs’ lead in the National League Central is 3 1/2 games. Chicago had outscored its opponents, 49-19, in the six games before Sunday.
“With the short looks we had [at Fried], I didn’t really know what to expect,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “But you can see what everybody was talking about. He was real efficient and made pitches when he had to and allowed himself to stay out there and get that win.”
Fried, 23, the Braves’ No. 10 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, missed most of 2014 and all of ’15 with Tommy John surgery. He had made four relief appearances before this start. The lefty not only kept the Cubs in check, but helped himself on defense, including a play in the fifth when he fielded Jason Heyward’s comebacker and was able to make an off-balance throw to second to get Happ.
ried fastball 419 feet (per Statcast™) to left in the second for his 21st home run, which tied the game at 1.
Rio Ruiz hit an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the ninth for the Braves, who avoided being shutout in the seven-game season series with the win. Ruiz’s career-high three-RBI performance was aided by fellow rookie Dansby Swanson, who singled in the fourth and doubled in the ninth to leave him with a .400 batting average and a 1.063 OPS over his past 19 games.
“It’s definitely nice to be a part of,” Ruiz said. “We just have to continue to get going. This was a good series for a lot of the rookies.”
Mike Montgomery gave up three runs over five innings and took the loss, but the bright spot for the Cubs’ pitching came in the sixth, when Dillon Maples made his Major League debut. The right-hander, who has battled injuries and considered quitting one year ago, walked one and struck out Ruiz to end the inning.
Maples got the ball from the strikeout and planned on giving it to his mother.
“He did a really wonderful job and I mentioned that he got out some really good hitters and his response to me was, ‘It was just me and the catcher,’ which I loved,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I thought that was outstanding. I hope he never loses that perspective or concept.”
Said Maples: “The build up was something I never experienced before but as far as being out there, it was the same. … Now it’s just about feeling like you belong out there.”
Freddie Freeman doubled to open the Braves’ fourth and moved up when Matt Kemp flied out to right. Nick Markakis then walked, and Swanson and Ruiz each followed with RBI singles to go ahead, 3-1.
Freeman says his previously fractured left wrist has been feeling weak, but he notched multihit performances in the final two games of the series and has six extra-base hits in his past 25 at-bats.
Javier Baez slid head-first into second base trying to steal in the Chicago second, colliding with second baseman Ozzie Albies. Baez appeared to be shaken up but stayed in the game defensively to start the Braves third. But he only lasted one batter and then was pulled. Baez, who has been starting at short since Addison Russell was injured Aug. 3, experienced blurred vision and was taken to a Chicago hospital to be examined. The initial examination was positive, and he was not expected to miss much time.
“He’s pretty important,” Maddon said of Baez. “Hopefully, it’ll be minor and he’ll be back [Monday] and we won’t have to [worry] over all of it. He’s very important to us right now, I cannot deny that.”
Montgomery took the loss, his first since July 6, snapping a four-game winning streak. He has a 1.88 ERA in his past four starts.
With his 21st home run, Happ ranks fifth all-time among Cubs rookies, passing Tyler Colvin, who hit 20 in 2010.
R.A. Dickey will take the mound when Atlanta returns to SunTrust Park to open a three-game Interleague series against the Rangers on Monday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Dickey threw a season-high 121 pitches as he limited the Phillies to one run over eight innings Wednesday.

by Jim Wyatt, Senior Writer/Editor – TitansOnline.com

The Titans trimmed their roster to 53 players on Saturday.

The players released included cornerback Manny Abad, tight end Jace Amaro, fullback Joe Bacci (waived injured), defensive lineman Angelo Blackson, nose tackle DeAngelo Brown, tight end Jerome Cunningham, long snapper Ryan DiSalvo (waived injured), quarterback Tyler Ferguson, cornerback Demontre Hurst, receiver Darius Jennings, safety Denzel Johnson, running back Akeem Judd (waived injured), receiver Jonathan Krause, receiver KeVonn Mabon, offensive lineman Tyler Marz, offensive lineman Josue Matias, receiver Tre McBride, tackle Steven Moore, running back Khalfani Muhammad, receiver Giovanni Pascascio, tackle Jonah Pirsig, running back Brandon Radcliff, defensive end Cameron Robbins, tackle Brad Seaton, tight end Tim Semisch, guard Jake Simonich, cornerback Darrius Sims, cornerback D’Joun Smith, center Mark Spelman, linebacker Justin Staples, defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (waived injured), receiver/returner Eric Weems and nose tackle Antwaun Woods. Also, quarterback Alex Tanney and receiver Tajae Sharpe have been placed on Injured Reserve.

On Friday night, the Titans acquired Chiefs defensive lineman David King via trade.

Changes, of course, could still come before the Titans face the Oakland Raiders on September 10.

But for now, here’s a look at where the team stands numbers-wise at each position, and a quick analysis….

Quarterbacks (2): Marcus Mariota, Matt Cassel.

Comment: Mariota completed 62.5 percent of his passes in the preseason, with a 110.0 passer rating. He moved around well, and looks ready for the start of the season. Cassel turned in a solid preseason after returning from thumb surgery. Tanney was injured in the preseason finale at Kansas City, and placed on IR.

Running backs (4): DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry, David Fluellen, Jalston Fowler (FB).

Comment: Murray was slowed in the preseason with a hamstring injury, but is ready to roll. Henry benefitted from the extra work, and is in a position to contribute even more in his second season. Fluellen earned a roster spot with his play during the offseason, beating out Muhammad, among others.

Receivers (5): Corey Davis, Eric Decker, Harry Douglas, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor.

Comment: Matthews, the team’s leading receiver a year ago, leads a group that is expected to be back at full strength after dealing with injuries in the preseason. Davis and Decker should make a big impact this fall, and Taylor showed off his skills with an impressive preseason as well. The Titans placed Sharpe on IR, and parted ways with Tre McBride here as well.

Tight ends (3): Delanie Walker, Phillip Supernaw, Jonnu Smith.

Comment: Walker, coming off his second straight Pro Bowl, has looked leaner and faster during the offseason. Supernaw can help the team in a number of ways, including as a blocker and on special teams, and occasionally as a pass catcher. Smith, a third round draft pick, has shown plenty of promise early.

Offensive line (8): C Ben Jones, G Josh Kline, G Quinton Spain, T Jack Conklin, T Taylor Lewan, T Dennis Kelly, C/G Tim Lelito, C/G Corey Levin.

Comment: The starting five returns following a year when the Titans finished third in the NFL in rushing and Mariota was sacked up 23 times in 15 starts. Kelly and Lelito provide a veteran presence as back-ups, and Levin earned a spot because of his versatility.

Defensive line (6): Jurrell Casey, Austin Johnson, DaQuan Jones, Karl Klug, Sylvester Williams, David King.

Comment: Casey, a two-time Pro Bowler, leads a group packed with versatility. Johnson and Jones have played inside and out. Klug battled his way back from an Achilles injury to earn a spot. Williams, formerly with the Broncos, adds beef in the middle. The Titans on Friday traded for King, formerly of the Chiefs.

Linebackers (11): Daren Bates, Jayon Brown, Josh Carraway, Kevin Dodd, Derrick Morgan, Brian Orakpo, Nate Palmer, Erik Walden, Aaron Wallace, Avery Williamson, Wesley Woodyard.

Comment: The Titans went heavy here, in large part because of special teams. The starting four – Orakpo, Williamson, Woodyard and Morgan – are back, but some newcomers will add pop. Brown flashed during the preseason with his speed and play-making ability, and there’s depth at OLB with Wallace, Dodd and Carraway.

Secondary (11): Adoree’ Jackson, Brice McCain, Kalan Reed, Logan Ryan, LeShaun Sims, Tye Smith, Kevin Byard, Johnathan Cyprien, Curtis Riley, Da’Norris Searcy, Brynden Trawick.

Comment: The Titans still have to sort out their rotation here, but they have numbers to help in the defense and on special teams, and plenty of new faces. Byard should be even more of a playmaker at safety in Year 2, and plenty of options are on the table at cornerback, where Jackson, Sims and others have worked early in preseason games.

Specialists (3): K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley.

Comment: All three specialist are back from 2016, when the Titans were solid here. Succop made 22-of-24 field goals last year, when Kern averaged 44.2 yards with a 38.6 net.

The Cubs’ second-half offensive surge continued on Saturday at Wrigley Field as Rene Rivera smacked his first career grand slam, Anthony Rizzo reached 100 RBIs with a bases-clearing triple and Javier Baez added a solo home run and RBI double to post a 14-12 victory over the Braves for Chicago’s sixth straight win.

It wasn’t easy, as the Braves scored eight runs in the final three innings. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he felt the momentum starting to shift in the ninth, and he had to call upon closer Wade Davis in a non-save situation to get the final two outs.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the various factors that led the Cubs pulling out the win against the Braves in a wild affair at Wrigley
Jon Lester, making his first start since Aug. 17 after being sidelined with left shoulder fatigue, served up three home runs, including back-to-back shots on consecutive pitches to Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp in the third, but he held on for five innings for the win. Freeman added an RBI double in the eighth.
“It was good to get back out there,” Lester said.
“The last inning, everything came together,” Maddon said of the left-hander. “I talked to him in the dugout after the fourth, and he said, ‘I feel great.'”
Rivera launched his homer in the second off Lucas Sims, who was making his seventh start, which is how many postseason starts Lester has made in 2015 and ’16. The Cubs added five more runs in the fourth on Rizzo’s three-run triple, plus Baez’s RBI double and Jason Heyward’s RBI single. Heyward also hit a solo homer with two outs in the eighth.
With the win, Chicago is now a season-high 15 games over .500 and 6-0 vs. Atlanta. The Cubs have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Brewers in the National League Central.
At the All-Star break, the Cubs had scored as many runs as they had allowed (399). Since then, they have a plus-98 run differential, and their second-half run total of 292 leads the Majors. This is the sixth time in 19 games since Aug. 14 the Cubs have scored 10 or more runs.
“We have a good team, a good young team that has picked up a lot of experience over the last two years,” Rizzo said. “Guys have been chipping away and playing loose now, and it’s fun to see.”
Braves rookie middle infielders Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies both recorded three hits. But their contributions weren’t enough to overcome a pitching staff that surrendered 12 hits and issued six walks. Sims was charged with seven earned runs as he lasted just three-plus innings.
“You can’t pitch like we did and expect to win any ballgames,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It wasn’t any good from the get-go, and it wasn’t real good as we went. It’s good that we came back and scored the runs that we did, but we just made way, way too many mistakes.”
The Cubs loaded the bases with one out in the second against Sims, and Rivera hit an 0-2 pitch 387 feet down the left-field line. It was Rivera’s ninth homer this season, but his first since joining the Cubs on Aug. 19, when he was acquired off waivers from the Mets. It was the Cubs’ sixth grand slam this season. Rivera tipped his cap to the crowd from the dugout after the slam.
“I was trying to just get something in the air, and bring one run home,” Rivera said. “I wasn’t thinking, ‘Hit a homer,’ just drive something to the outfield and get a fly ball or base hit and drive in one and keep the line moving. He threw a curveball and it hung, and I put a good swing on it and hit it out.”
The Braves loaded the bases against Lester in the first inning, but he escaped that mess. With one out in the third, Albies singled and Freeman launched the first pitch he saw into the left-field bleachers for his 24th home run. Kemp then hit Lester’s next pitch into the bleachers to pull within one run. Rio Ruiz added another homer off Lester in the Braves’ fourth.
Max Fried will make his first career start when this series finale concludes Sunday at 1:20 p.m. CT. Ranked as the Braves’ 10th-best prospect by MLBPipeline.com, the young southpaw made four relief appearances for Atlanta in August.

Trailing by a pair of runs and a Sound on every base in the ninth inning, Jaff Decker roped a bases-clearing double to put the Sounds in front for good. Nashville overcame the New Orleans Baby Cakes 8-6 Saturday evening at The Shrine on Airline.
The Sounds entered the ninth trailing 6-4 and for the second time in the ball game plated four runs in an inning. A single, walk, fielder’s choice, and a hit-by pitch loaded the bases for Decker, who came through in a big way. Yairo Muñoz added an insurance run for the Sounds with a sacrifice fly after Decker swiped third base.
For the second straight game the Sounds starting pitcher left the game in line for the win but settled for a no-decision. Josh Smith tossed five solid innings of four-hit, two-run baseball and left with the Sounds on top 4-2.
In the sixth the Baby Cakes put up a four-spot on the scoreboard with the help of Sounds pitching. Chris Jensen walked the first two batters and yielded a bunt single to load the bases. Jake Elmore ripped a line drive to bring the Baby Cakes within one run and move the runners from station to station. Jensen then plunked Christian Colon to tie the game. A sacrifice fly and a run-scoring ground out gave New Orleans the 6-4 advantage.
The Sounds busted out in the third inning as all nine batters stepped to the plate. Nashville began the frame with four straight singles including a run-scoring base hit from Melvin Mercedes to open the scoring. Muñoz drove in a run on a fielder’s choice to put the Sounds out in front 2-0. Two batters later Joey Wendle came through with a base hit back up the middle to plate a pair of runs and double the Sounds’ lead to 4-0.
New Orleans cut the lead in half in the fourth inning with a pair of runs. Steve Lombardozzi singled to lead off the inning. Eury Perez followed that up by lacing a double down the left field line and advanced to third after Muñoz’s errant throw home. Moises Sierra grounded out softly to short to bring Perez home and make the score 4-2.
Jesse Hahn pitched for the first time in over month for the Sounds and retired the Baby Cakes in order in the eighth inning. Lou Trivino was called upon in the ninth to pick up a save for the second straight game and the right-hander was up for the task. Trivino allowed a one-out single but calmly sat down the final two batters he faced to secure the victory for the Sounds.
Game three of the four-game set is scheduled for Sunday night at The Shrine on Airline. Right-hander Daniel Mengden (2-4, 3.96) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Keyvius Sampson (5-5, 6.00) for the Baby Cakes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Xavier Garcia of Westwood football

Holding the visiting Vikings scoreless in the 2^nd half, the Westwood Rockets’ football team stunned Community on Thursday night at Dyer-Bouldin Field.   A Cameron Ballard interception with 4 minutes  left in the 3^rd quarter sparked a 2^nd half defensive resurgence and helped lift Westwood to the 22 to 8 win.  The win is the first win of the season for the gritty Rocket squad.

With the Vikings driving in a tie game, pressure from the defensive line forced a hurried throw that was intercepted by Ballard inside the Vikings Red Zone.  Westwood quarterback Will Partin connected on a 3^rd down touchdown pass covering 82 yards to Konnor Heaton the give Westwood a 16 to 8 lead and change the momentum of the night.  Westwood’s defensive line, led by Xavier Garcia, Derrick Scott  and Blake Hale helped hold the Vikings to 38 yards of offense in the 2^nd half in the win.

Westwood scored first in the first quarter on a touchdown run of 54 yards by Heaton, who added the 2 point conversion to make it 8 to 0.  Tied at 8 at the half, Westwood’s defense came alive in the second half triggering the turnover and the Partin TD pass to make the score 16 to 8 after Hale added the 2 point conversion.  Hale closed out the scoring with a 53 yard touchdown run with 5:16 remaining in the game.

Westwood showed their balanced running attack as 3 running backs all rushed for more than 50 yards.  Fullback Conner Smith had 12 carries for 52 yards, Hale finished with 54 yards on 8 carries and Heaton had 8 carries for 51 yards.

The Rockets are back at home next Thursday night when they welcome Fayetteville to Dyer-Bouldin Field.  Kick-off is set for 6:30 PM.

You can download a copy of the broadcast by visiting: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/

Tyana Fenton of CHS volleyball

The Coffee County Lady Raider volleyball team tangled with district foe Franklin County on Thursday night at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  Coming off an impressive district win on Tuesday in Columbia, the Lady Raiders roared to a four set win over the Rebelettes.  Coffee County won by set scores of 25-17, 19-25, 25-14 and 25-21.

Coffee County was led in kills by Alliyah Williams who finished with 15 of the 44 kills for the Lady Raiders.  Lexi Bryan added 9 and Sarah West had 7 kills.  Amanda Mukai led the team in aces with 5 to go along with the team lead in assists with 35.  Tyana Fenton was the match leader in digs with 11 and added 4 aces of her own.  Keelie Hillis added 2 blocks for Coffee County.

The win improves Coffee County to 4 and 0 in district play.  Coffee County heads to Chattanooga on Friday to compete in the Choo-Choo Classic.  The Lady Raiders open up play at 4 PM(EDT) against Rhea County before taking on Silverdale Academy at 5 PM.  Those matches will take place at Ooltewah High School.  The tournament concludes on Saturday.

Inclement weather forced the postponement of both prep soccer matches scheduled for Thursday night.  The Coffee County Middle School friendly with North Franklin was cancelled.  Since the match was scheduled as a non-conference matchup, the match will be made up if each team can find a compatible schedule date.  The CCMS Lady Raiders are back in action next Thursday, September 7^th, when they travel to Winchester to take on South Franklin.  That conference match is scheduled to begin at 5 PM.

The Coffee County CHS Lady Raiders’ match at Community High School was postponed until Monday, September 18^th.  That match will kick off at 7 PM.  Coffee County is back in action on Tuesday as they host an important district matchup with Lincoln County.  That match will get underway at 7 PM at the Raider Soccer Field.

It’s time for the regular season.

The Titans wrapped up preseason play with a 30-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs here at Arrowhead Stadium on a night when the team’s starters wore baseball caps instead of helmets.

Several hours before kickoff, quarterback Marcus Mariota and the rest of the front-line players went through an extensive workout on the field. After heading back into the locker room, the same players came out for warmups roughly an hour before the game, in uniform.

But Titans coach Mike Mularkey opted to hold the starters out, something he decided prior to landing in Kansas City. Still, he didn’t let the players know until Thursday.

“We’re healthy going into the opener,” Mularkey said. “And that was the No.1 objective coming out of training camp, to have everybody healthy to go against Oakland.”

Now the team turns its complete attention to making roster cuts, while preparing for the September 10 opener against the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium. All NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by 3 p.m. Saturday.

Here on Thursday night, backup quarterback Matt Cassel started in place of Mariota, and he completed 3-of-4 passes for 35 yards before being replaced by Alex Tanney in the second quarter. Tanney finished the night 9-of-22 for 101 yards and an interception before rookie Tyler Ferguson finished the game at quarterback.

David Fluellen started at running back, and finished the game with 74 rushing yards on 19 carries behind a starting offensive line that looked like this: LT Dennis Kelly, LG Josue Matias, C Tim Lelito, RG Corey Levin, and RT Tyler Marz.

Tight end Jonnu Smith provided some highlights on a night when receivers Tre McBride and Tajae Sharpe got plenty of early work. Smith hauled in a 20-yard pass in the first half, and had two catches for 25 yards before halftime.

The Titans sat their regular starters on defense as well, instead opting to give cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and other youngsters more work.

Kansas City made some big plays to take control of the game by halftime.

After Ryan Succop’s 40-yard field goal gave the Titans a 3-0 lead, the Chiefs took a 13-3 lead by intermission. The Chiefs scored touchdowns on Jehu Chesson’s 76-yard punt return, and a 28-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to Demarcus Robinson. A Cairo Santos field goal extended Kansas City’s lead to 16-3 before Succop added a 48-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 16-6.

The Chiefs then scored on a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Bray to tight end Gavin Escobar to make it 23-6 with 1:52 left in the third quarter. Later, Chiefs quarterback Joel Stave connected with Tevin Jones for a 68-yard touchdown to make it 30-6 with 9:54 left in the fourth quarter.

The Titans finished the preseason with a 1-3 mark.

“It’s not the way you wanted to end the preseason, but like I told our guys in the locker room, I was actually very proud of them,” Mularkey said. “Because I know each and every one of them that played tonight – some their last game – I know they gave their best effort and competed the best they could. … I appreciate them.”

Players on both sides of the football said they believe the team is ready for the regular season.

“I think we’re where we want to be at offense-wise,” tight end Delanie Walker said. “Of course, we can always get better. I think that’s what we’re going to be moving towards going into Week One; just trying to get back on assignment running the ball and being able to pass it.”
“I believe so,” added Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey. “Everybody came out flying around (in the preseason), and I believe we executed a lot. We didn’t do too bad at all. I think we are where we wanted to be from last year. All it’s going to take is all of us executing on all three phases offense, defense and special teams. That’s how you win football games. Once we do that, we’ll be great.”

Kris Bryant added another milestone Thursday night. Bryant smacked a two-run homer into the wind, his 25th of the year, to back Kyle Hendricks and lead the Cubs to their fourth straight win, a 6-2 victory over the Braves. The reigning National League Most Valuable Player is the first player in franchise history and the 12th in the Majors to hit 25 or more home runs in each of his first three seasons.

“It’s pretty crazy when you think of the history of this organization, to be the first to do that — it’s really cool, an honor and very humbling,” Bryant said.
Full Game Coverage
Jon Jay had four hits, including a triple in the eighth, to help the Cubs improve to a season-high 13 games over .500 and maintain a 3 1/2-game NL Central lead over the Brewers, who beat the Nationals on Thursday night.
Bryant connected with one on and one out in the sixth inning against Jason Motte, hitting an 0-2 fastball into the left-field bleachers despite a 17-mph northeast wind.
“He’s been playing through all kinds of nagging injuries,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Bryant, who has dealt with ankle, wrist and hand injuries this season. “Give him credit. He’s an everyday player and he comes to play. Even if there’s no hits on a particular day, there’s been good defense, great base running, all the other stuff he can do to help you win a baseball game. That ball was really killed [for his homer] — that wind was firm.”
Hendricks scattered five hits over 6 2/3 innings, and was lifted after serving up pinch-hitter Lane Adams’ home run with two outs in the seventh. The right-hander, who allowed two runs (one unearned), has given up 12 earned runs over 46 2/3 innings since the All-Star break for a 2.31 ERA.
The Cubs gave Hendricks a cushion in the first when Jay singled, reached third on Bryant’s ground-rule double and scored on Anthony Rizzo’s groundout for his 97th RBI. Javier Baez added an RBI single to open a 2-0 lead.
The Cubs were coming off a sweep of the Pirates, which they capped with a 17-3 win Wednesday. They have scored 15 or more runs in four games since the All-Star break, but were 0-4 the next day until Thursday’s win. Atlanta rookie left-hander Sean Newcomb struck out seven over five innings but took the loss, giving up three runs (two earned).
“He bent, but didn’t break,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I looked up there and the ball-strike ratio was better than it was seeming during the game. Most of the hits were with two strikes and on offspeed pitches. They didn’t do much with his fastball. He couldn’t bury a breaking ball when he needed to and hung a changeup. With that being said, we were right there in the game.”
The Braves threatened in the eighth against Carl Edwards Jr. as Ozzie Albies singled and two outs later, Nick Markakis walked. Kurt Suzuki, who has 15 home runs, could’ve tied the game with No. 16, but Edwards got him to fly out to left and end the inning.
To account for the proposed trade to the Angels that Brandon Phillips eventually accepted, Albies was a late add to the Braves’ lineup and he delivered in the fifth. Dansby Swanson reached on a fielding error by second baseman Ben Zobrist, who couldn’t get a glove on the ball, and then moved up on a sacrifice by Newcomb and a groundout by Ender Inciarte before scoring on Albies’ single to center. Albert Almora Jr. ended the inning with a running catch of Freddie Freeman’s fly ball in center.
Rizzo gave Hendricks a 1-0 lead in the first when a run scored on his groundout. Rizzo had 30 RBIs in August and is the first Cubs player to reach that figure in the
Hendricks walked Albies with one out in the first, but was able to pick him off, his fifth pickoff of the season, which is tied for the most in the Majors by a right-hander.
“The pickoff was large,” Maddon said. “That’s a really big play right there. That early in the game, it sets an entirely different tone for us and them because [Hendricks] was searching at that point.”
Maddon said Hendricks’ patience and footwork helps him make the play.
“He’s one of those guys who’s able to hold the ball and throw accurately to first base with quick feet,” Maddon said. “It might sound simple, but it’s not. It’s hard to get pitchers to hold the baseball sometimes.”
Said Hendricks: “It’s a big pickoff for sure, especially today because of how I was feeling in the beginning. I knew I was off — two terrible walks early. That was a big call by [bench coach Davey Martinez]. He’s had good timing. It’s definitely a huge lift, especially when you’re not feeling great.”
Mike Foltynewicz, who grew up about 90 miles from Wrigley Field, will take the mound in Friday’s 1:20 p.m. CT matchup. The right-hander had allowed at least six runs in three straight starts before limiting the Rockies to one run over five innings Sunday.