Both teams started off the day red hot at Wrigley Field and it appeared the game would be a shootout. Well, that all changed after the top of the second inning. All seven of the combined runs scored, were scored in the first one and a half innings.
Christian Yelich started everything off for the Marlins with a solo home run in the first inning, Yelich would finish up 3-4 on the day. The Cubs then struck for three in the bottom half. Anthony Rizzo drove in the first run for the Cubs on a single to right that scored Starlin Castro. Dioner Navarro then singled to center to plate Luis Valbuena. After Navarro, Nate Schierholtz hit a sac fly to center that scored Anthony Rizzo.
In the top of the second, Marlin starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez hit a three run home run to give the Marlins the lead, 4-3. That hit would go down as the game winning hit.
After taking two of three from Philadelphia, the Cubs drop the opener to the Marlins. However, they will have two more chances against them in the next two days.
Alvarez went six innings for the Marlins, he gave up seven hits, and three earned runs. Steve Cishek tallied his 29th save of the year. Travis Wood was the starter for the Cubs, he went seven innings, gave up nine hits, and four earned runs. Carlos Villanueva pitched the final two innings for the Cubs, he gave up no hits and struck out two batters.
Yelich and Justin Ruggiano led the way for the Marlins on the offensive side, the pair combined for five of the nine hits. Alvarez also had two hits in the game.
Recently recalled Ryan Sweeney and Navarro led the way for the Cubs, the two players had four of the eight hits for the Cubs.
A side note for Marlins fans, pitcher Henderson Alvarez left the game in the seventh inning with some right hamstring tightness. He would earn his third win of the year and Wood would get his 11th loss.
These two teams will resume the series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM CT. The starting pitching match up is scheduled to be, Tom Koehler (3-9) for the Marlins and Edwin Jackson (7-14) for the Cubs.
Marlins Edge Cubs in Game One - Da Windy City - Da Windy City - A Chicago Sports Site - Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More