Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/23/21): Cubs 15, Brewers 2 – Cubs Win Fourth Straight in Blowout Fashion

Kyle Hendricks (0-2, 6.92 ERA) took the mound against Brett Anderson (2-1, 2.65 ERA) Friday afternoon as the Cubs went for their fourth consecutive victory. Hendricks was looking for a bounceback performance after giving up seven runs in four innings against Atlanta his last time out and a depleted Milwaukee unit was just the team to help him.

Hendricks breezed through five scoreless innings, yielding three hits and no walks with four strikeouts on only 53 pitches, including a four-pitch 4th inning. He allowed Milwaukee to get on the board in the 6th after back-to-back home runs by Kolten Wong and Billy McKinney, but that was the only offense the Brewers were able to produce. Hendricks was pulled after six innings, giving up two earned runs, six hits, and no walks while striking out six batters.

The Cubs came out swinging as soon as the game started, breaking it wide open with six runs, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Jake Marisnick with the bases loaded. They enjoyed a 10-0 lead in the 2nd inning thanks to back-to-back jacks from Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez, followed by an RBI triple off the bat of Jason Heyward. Marisnick recorded RBI number five with a solo shot in the 6th and Willson Contreras added a three-run rope later in the frame as the Cubs turned his one into a laugher. (Box score)

Tell me the #Cubs are toasty without SAYING the Cubs are toasty. 🔥@BinnysBev pic.twitter.com/w4amvlJieH

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 23, 2021

Why the Cubs Won

A great outing from Hendricks and 15 runs led to the blowout victory.

Key Moment(s)

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Cubs loaded the bases with only one away. We’ve seen the team let these kinds of opportunities slip through their fingers and come back to bite them later, but Marisnick made sure that didn’t happen when he sent a bases-clearing double down the left field line. The home team never looked back, piling on more runs by hammering the ball all over the yard.

Stats That Matter

• In their last four games, the Cubs have outscored their opponents 38-10
• Kris Bryant remains red hot, going 3-for-4 and raising his average to .313
• Marisnick is 4-for-11 with seven RBI, one walk, and two strikeouts in his last three starts
• The Cubs hit 17 balls at 102 mph or greater, the most ever by a team in the Statcast era

Bottom Line

The Cubs’ recent run of success at the plate speaks to their adjusted approach. Even when they’re making outs, they’re hitting the ball hard as they concentrate on taking pitches the other way and up the middle. It’s night and day from what we saw earlier in the season when they relied almost entirely on the longball. They’ll inevitably hit another rough patch or two, but maintaining this approach means their dry spells won’t be as deep or prolonged as before.

On Deck

Adbert Alzolay (0-2, 6.10 ERA) squares off against Freddy Peralta (2-0, 2.00 ERA) on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20pm CT on Marquee, 670 The Score, and also WRTO for Spanish speakers.