Rizzo hits HR, sanitizes; Cubs beat Brewers
CHICAGO – Kyle Hendricks finished a three-hitter after new manager David Ross gave him one more batter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.
Ian Happ connected for a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory in his debut as a big league skipper, making all the right moves in front of a mostly empty Wrigley Field for the opener of a pandemic-shortened 60-game season.
Showing off an improved curveball, Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.
“That was fun to watch,” Ross said. “I mean now you know why he’s a guy that you slot into the opening-day starter role.”
Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.
“It surprised me, too,” Arcia said through an interpreter. “I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t think he was going to do that.”
Rizzo said he got the idea while hanging out with some friends.
“We were all talking about it and all just started to laugh,” Rizzo said. “Kind of forgot about it and then the other day I remember it.”
Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He told the right-hander he had one more hitter, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.
It was the first complete game for a Cubs pitcher on opening day since Bill Bonham beat the Phillies 2-0 on April 9, 1974.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Brewers: Braun (back) got the start as the designated hitter and went 0 for 3. Counsell said Braun went through a full workout Thursday. “I think he needed to feel good after yesterday and he reported feeling better than he did the day before,” Counsell said. “That’s a good sign.”
Cubs: Rizzo was in the starting lineup after dealing with back trouble during summer camp . ... Kris Bryant got the start at third after he was scratched from Wednesday’s exhibition game against Minnesota due to back stiffness.
UP NEXT
Corbin Burnes and Yu Darvish take the mound when the series resumes Saturday afternoon. Burnes is making his fifth career start after spending much of his first two seasons in Milwaukee’s bullpen. Darvish finished strong last year, posting a 2.76 ERA over his final 13 starts with Chicago.