RADIO
Jason Hammel pitched a gem on Saturday, almost going the distance in the 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
The Chicago Cubs’ starter pitched into the ninth inning, only allowing one run. Hammel (5-2) was pulled after allowing a leadoff homer to Bryce Harper, to cut the lead to two runs. Pedro Strop came in and picked up the save.
Hammel gave up five hits, walked two and struck out seven. He lowered his ERA to 2.76 with the victory and now owns a 76/9 K/BB ratio over 75 innings.
The 32-year-old right-hander was pitching great with Chicago last season, but was a part of the trade with the Oakland A’s that saw the Cubs lose Jeff Samardzija for the highly-touted prospect, Addison Russell and a few other prospects.
Hammel had an 8-5 record with a 2.98 before the trade. He was not the same pitcher in Oakland as he went 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA. He went on to sign with the Cubbies during the offseason and now is back to the way he pitched before he left.
