It obviously has not been a season to remember for the 2016 World Series champion, but on Sunday veteran starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks turned back the clock one more time to make Cubs history at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.
The Cubs were able to salvage the series finale, beating the Rockies 6-2 and Hendricks set the tone on the mound before the offense created separation late in the game. Hendricks allowed one run in six innings, coming on a solo home run by Rockies’ catcher Jacob Stallings in the third inning. Colorado’s offense was only able to get one other hit off Hendricks as Aaron Schunk singled with two outs in the fifth inning.
Hendricks did walk three batters on the afternoon, two of which came in the fifth inning that led to a bases-loaded jam. He was able to get a ground ball and despite a brief bobble by Nico Hoerner, Hendricks got out of the inning without any damage.
Hendricks ended his outing with a 1-2-3 sixth inning, marking his first quality start since Aug. 5, and his fourth of the season. However, this one was a bit more remarkable than most because there’s no way any Cubs fan thought Hendricks would get out of Coors Field only allowing one run.
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As a matter of fact, no other Cubs starting pitcher has ever held the Rockies’ offense in check the way Hendricks was able to in Colorado in team history. Hendricks became the first Cubs pitcher to allow two hits or fewer and one run or fewer at Coors Field in at least six innings of work.
Hendricks, now 34-years-old, will be a free agent following the 2024 season and we’re likely watching his last few starts as a member of the Cubs. I know some fans, myself included, hoped Hendricks would have been pushed aside in favor of younger options throughout the year, but because of several injuries in the pitching staff the veteran has maintained a spot in the rotation for the majority of the season.
As the team’s playoff hopes have steadily dropped to nearly zero percent, fans should at least appreciate these last couple outings for Hendricks. A World Series hero, who’s battled back from injuries in the latter part of his career and while he’s certainly not in his prime anymore, Hendricks has at least shown the ability to reach into his bag of tricks and still deliver great starts from time to time throughout what will be his final year with the Cubs.
Like many aspects of the 2024 team, there’s always going to be frustration on what could have been. Since the beginning of June, Hendricks has recorded a 4.52 ERA in 81.2 innings. No, that’s not good, but imagine if the Cubs would have gotten that type of production instead of his 10.16 ERA in his first 36.1 innings of the season.
Nevertheless, it was good to see Hendricks turn back the clock one more time and deliver a history-making performance at Coors Field.
