Hodge, Little stepping forward in reliever reliability
MILWAUKEE — Bullpen injuries and late-game failures have been a storyline to the Cubs' season.
But with all the problems, there are some positive developments. Rookie Porter Hodge lowered his ERA to 1.64 and has given up runs in just 1 of 10 appearances since being called up. Luke Little posted his sixth straight scoreless appearance Saturday in Milwaukee and has a 1.84 ERA in May and June.
“Me and Porter are very close,” Little said. “We've been playing together for almost three years, four years (in the minors). We've been really good friends and really good teammates. So it's awesome to get us both up here, just letting it eat.”
Little and Hodge each pitched scoreless innings Saturday, setting up Hector Neris to get his 100th save. Neris put the tying runs on base in the ninth but ended the game by striking out Tyler Black and Brice Turang.
Hodge, Little and Tyson Miller have become the Cubs' most reliable relievers this month and will likely get more opportunities in important situations.
“What Porter and Luke are doing, that's really important to the bullpen, just the depth of what we have down there,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It's been a tough road trip, but we're starting to see some development from those guys and that's a big deal.
“Porter went through (William) Contreras, (Christian) Yelich and (Willy) Adames today (in the eighth). That's a tough inning, and he did a heck of a job.”
Common mistakes:
Here's a rehash of the Cubs' Friday mistakes, first the catcher's interference on Miguel Amaya two batters before Jackson Chourio's grand slam.
“A couple of the guys you have to be careful of have gotten him,” manager Craig Counsell said. “(Mets designated hitter) J.D. Martinez is obviously one of them, (Milwaukee's Sal) Frelick is one of them. We've got to be careful of those guys, their bat paths make you have to just be a little cautious. The framing world has you getting closer to grab that low pitch and you have to be cognizant of those swing paths.”
Then there was Cody Bellinger losing track of the outs and getting doubled off first base on a routine flyball in the sixth. Should Counsell do more to hold players accountable for careless mistakes?
“I understand why people would say that,” he said. “I don't think it's the right thing to do in the situation.”
Around the horn:
The Philadelphia Phillies placed both Bryce Harper (left hamstring strain) and Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain) on the 10-day injured list Friday, so both players will miss the upcoming series at Wrigley Field. …
Some injured pitcher updates: Ben Brown (left neck strain) threw a bullpen session Saturday. Mark Leiter Jr. (right forearm strain) began throwing Friday. Caleb Killian (right shoulder strain) threw a simulated game Friday in Arizona. …
After the conclusion of Saturday's game, 11 people were injured and six taken to the hospital when an escalator malfunctioned and sped up at American Family Field, the Brewers announced.
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