Final/10
Baez makes Wrigley debut in opener with Rays
Aug 8, 2014 - 2:46 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Newly called up Cubs prospect Javier Baez looks to continue his early tear on Friday night when Chicago hosts the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.The Wrigley Field faithful will get their first look at Baez, who has gone deep in each of his first three major league games. In his big league debut on Tuesday, Baez homered in the 12th inning to lift the Cubs to a 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Over the course of his first three games, Baez has went yard three times and driven in five runs.
Still, he has his sights on even bigger production.
"I think it's going to be more exciting than (Coors Field)," Baez said. "We're home, and we have all the support from the fans, and there are a lot of people who know you and they want you to do good."
Baez was 3-for-4 with two homers and four RBI in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Colorado Rockies.
"My expectations of him is to be here to learn, to grind out at-bats, to experience the opposition's ability to work him, for him to get a feel to play second base alongside Starlin and (Anthony Rizzo) on that side, and to continue to learn the game," manager Rick Renteria said.
Chicago has won each of its last three series and is 7-3 in that span.
Tampa Bay is off to a 1-2 start on its 10-game road trip after dropping two of three in Oakland this week.
On Wednesday, the Rays snapped a three-game slide thanks largely to starter Jeremy Hellickson, who went seven innings and allowed only one run on two hits in his fourth start with the Rays since being called up from the minors. Kevin Kiermaier homered and drove in three runs on the day to help spark the offense.
"It's hard to maintain that kind of level or that pace, there's no question about it," manager Joe Maddon said of his team, which had won eight of its previous nine series. "That's why you want to be able to have a decent start (to the season), so that you can absorb these kind of moments at this time of the year. We've set it up to the point where we really can't."
The Rays were idle on Thursday.
Toeing the rubber for Tampa Bay in Friday's series opener is Chris Archer, who has pitched well over his last three starts. Most recently, the right-hander allowed three runs over six innings against the Angels on Saturday, as he struck out nine and walked three batters.
This will be Archer's first appearance against the Cubs team that traded him to Tampa Bay.
For Chicago, Tsuhoshi Wada looks to keep rolling along after posting a 3.32 ERA over his first four starts for the Cubs. This marks his third start at Wrigley, and the southpaw is coming off a no-decision in Los Angeles against the Dodgers last time out as he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up two earned runs on six hits while striking out six.
- TAMPA BAY: 4
CHICAGO: 3
Final/10
Aug 8 7:36 PM - Kevin Kiermaier singled to center scoring Desmond Jennings. On the play, Ben Zobrist advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Evan Longoria due up.
Rays 4, Cubs 3 Top 10, 1 OutAug 8 7:24 PM - Ryan Sweeney singled to center scoring Justin Ruggiano. Runner on first with one out and John Baker due up.
Rays 3, Cubs 3 Bot 9, 1 OutAug 8 7:12 PM - Pinch-Hitter Matt Joyce singled to center scoring Ben Zobrist. On the play, Kevin Kiermaier advances to second. Runners on first and second with two outs and Yunel Escobar due up.
Rays 3, Cubs 2 Top 8, 2 OutsAug 8 6:42 PM - Curt Casali grounded into a fielder's choice to short scoring Sean Rodriguez. Runner on first with one out and Chris Archer due up.
Rays 2, Cubs 2 Top 7, 1 OutAug 8 6:08 PM - John Baker singled to right scoring Arismendy Alcantara. On the play, Ryan Sweeney advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Tsuyoshi Wada due up.
Rays 1, Cubs 2 Bot 4, 1 OutAug 8 5:27 PM - Desmond Jennings lead-off Home Run (10) to left. Ben Zobrist due up.
Rays 1, Cubs 1 Top 3, 0 OutsAug 8 4:58 PM - Starlin Castro singled to right scoring Javier Baez. On the play, Anthony Rizzo advances to third. Runners on first and third with one out and Luis Valbuena due up.
Rays 0, Cubs 1 Bot 1, 1 OutAug 8 4:29 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
CHICAGO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 8 4:06 PM
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