Baez Homers Twice More To Lead Cubs Past Rockies
DENVER (AP) --The Chicago Cubs' future looks bright even if their present is a little disappointing.
Rookie Javier Baez hit two more homers and drove in four runs, leading Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Baez also had an RBI single in his third major league game. The touted prospect homered in his debut Tuesday, hitting a game-deciding shot in the 12th inning on the day he was promoted from the minors.
"It didn't surprise me too much," said Hendricks, who had the best outing of his short career. "I've seen it for a couple of years and he always thrives on the big stage. Whenever we play in a big game he does well."
Baez led off the sixth inning with a shot down the left-field line against Yohan Flande (0-4). He hit a two-run shot off Juan Nicasio into the Colorado bullpen in right in the eighth.
"I was letting the fastball get deep and he threw me a slider," Baez said of his second drive. "I hit it really good."
Castro followed Baez's shot in the sixth with his 12th home run. It was the fourth time this season Chicago has hit back-to-back homers.
Hendricks (3-1) pitched a career-high eight innings after the start of the game was delayed 39 minutes because of rain. The rookie right-hander has pitched into the seventh inning in four of his five career starts.
"He's a very poised young man and he's the type of kid when he prepares for the test he knows he's going to do well," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "I hope he's making believers out of a lot of people."
The 24-year-old Hendricks was sharp against the Rockies, allowing just two runs and six hits. He didn't allow a runner until Charlie Blackmon's leadoff single in the fourth.
After Baez and Castro gave Hendricks a three-run cushion in the sixth, the Rockies scored on Corey Dickerson's RBI single in the bottom half. Hendricks retired the last seven batters he faced.
"I felt really good," he said. "Usually as the game goes on I get stronger and stronger."
Justin Morneau and Wilin Rosario had two hits each for the Rockies, who have lost six of seven.
The Cubs took a 2-0 lead against Flande with RBI singles by Arsmendy Alcantara in the second and Baez in the third. Colorado cut the lead in half on Morneau's RBI single in the fourth.
Flande is still looking for his first career win despite two solid outings against Chicago. He struck out a career-high eight in a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on July 28 and lasted six innings Thursday.
"I pitched was well as I could. Something always happens to me in the late innings," Flande said. "I'm disappointed."
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