Aaron_Kennelly

Oh what a night, indeed.

What was everyone worried about?

Thanks, Taylor. Get it done now.

Almora is 3-4 with a triple.

Nice.

The Reds had a chance to end their streak of consecutive games in which the bullpen gave up a run. Instead, they chose to let J.J. Hoover pitch in the 9th.

Richard?

Cy Hendricks.

Really good start for Hendricks, when we probably needed one the most. Two AAA retreads in the lineup. Dexter thrown out. Going up against another good starter.

Come on, Addi, you're not Javy.

Hell of a throw. But, he looks safe.

Zobrist!

He didn't put his hands up! How are you telling KB to stop?

Seal Boy ain't messing around.

Yay! That's probably the best way to get him out.

!

Fantastic.

Just one? I meant get one, counting just this inning. I'm not too greedy.

Good start for Hendricks. Let's get a dong.

You really need Taylor's speed at the top of the lineup, though. It's not like they have an MVP in the 3-hole that is able to drive guys in.

Not today, Murphy.

Seal Boy!

Hey, let's get a nice, big lead early.

Good start.

Usually I cringe a little when I hear the phrase "pitch to contact." With most pitch-to-contact guys, they aren't actually trying to pitch to contact. Really, they just don't have the type of stuff to miss bats. So, sorry, buddy, but you aren't trying to pitch to contact, you just have no other option. What you are actually trying to do is avoid hard contact, by not leaving the ball in dangerous spots. With Arrieta I'm totally cool with him when he says he is trying to pitch to contact, because, surprise, he's also better at that than anyone else, too. So, when he says after a no-hitter that he was trying to pitch to contact, I believe him. All you have to do is look at the fact that he threw more fastballs in that game than in any other of his games as a Cub. This might be due, partly, to him having an elevated pitch count and wanting to be able to advance deeper into the game. But this dude seriously was trying to pitch to contact in a freaking no-hitter. I would imagine most other guys are trying to strike everyone out when they have a no-no going on. "Why leave it to chance? I'll handle this myself." Arrieta has so much confidence that he is going to get guys out that he's willingly letting them put the ball in play during a no-hitter. With some pitchers, they might not have much choice in the matter. But, he clearly has the ability to punch guys out. And, yet, he has enough confidence in his stuff that he is pitching to contact, simply so that he can finish off his no-no while exuding less energy. That's nuts.