Jordan Wicks gives up 5 hits and 4 runs in Cubs’ loss to Mariners originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Bryce Miller allowed one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings Julio Rodríguez had a key two-out, two-run single and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago puppies 4-2 on Friday night.
Miller gave up just three hits and calmed Chicago’s bats, which entered averaging more than six runs per game, second-best in baseball.
Miller had another solid performance after his last start against Milwaukee when he pitched seven shutout innings. He hasn’t allowed an earned run since the fourth inning of his first start on March 31 against Boston. Miller struck out four and left after drawing a four-pitch walk to Nico Hoerner on his 100th pitch.
Miller (2-1) should have finished the night with no runs allowed, but two Seattle errors in the seventh inning following his exit led to Hoerner scoring with two outs. Yan Gomes appeared to fall to third to end the inning, but Luis Urías’ throw to first base went slightly to the runner and Ty France was unable to make a clean catch.
Michael Busch hit a solo homer off Ryne Stanek in the ninth, but Stanek recorded the final two outs for his second save.
Seattle took a 1-0 lead when Urías was hit by a 1-2 shot from the Chicago starter Jordan Wicks (0-2) with two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning.
It was Rodríguez’s turn with the bases loaded in the fourth.
Rodríguez countered a diet of Wicks’ changeups in his previous at-bat and threw another changeup on the first pitch of the fourth. But Wicks tried to go unnoticed and Rodríguez arrived in time, lining up the field in the center of the field to score a pair. France followed with an RBI single on the next pitch to cap off the three-run inning.
Wicks went just four innings and allowed four runs, walked four and struck out six.
FARM REPORT
Dallas Keuchelthe 2015 AL Cy Young winner, pitched five innings and allowed one run and two hits in his second start for Triple-A Tacoma.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Puppies: RHP José Cuas was optioned by Triple-A Iowa after giving up five earned runs in two relief appearances against San Diego. RHP Keegan Thompson was called back to take his place.
Mariners: RHPs Bryan Woo and Matt Brash (both with elbow inflammation) could leave for rehab duties next week when Seattle returns to the road. Both are expected to take live batting practice in the coming days.
NEXT
Puppies: LHP Shota Imanaga (1-0, 0.00) has yet to allow a run in 10 innings in two starts to start the season.
Mariners: RHP Emerson Hancock (1-1, 11.42) will look to bounce back after giving up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings in his last start.
