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Fantasyland is transformed for the first time into a pitching reality in the major leagues for Duane Underwood Jr.
"I do not know if it was nervous, but I turned around at one point and realized that there were three guys at the base," Underwood said while making 41 shots first inning without allowing a race.
For the Cubs, loading the bases became a major challenge and maintaining a disciplined attack zone is a bigger task after Kenta Maeda withdrew nine batters while the Dodgers inflicted a defeat. 2-1 to the Cubs. five best games.
"I never doubted this team when we were five games at the break last year," said Ian Happ. "We are still (eight) parties .500 There is no panic in this clubhouse."
Nevertheless, the Cubs only scored 14 points in their run of losses, and the need to throw became so urgent that manager Joe Maddon released Underwood after just four innings and 77 shots for Tommy La Stella, who took second place with a runner. first to finish the fifth.
The damage was done earlier when Chris Gimenez jumped into foul territory, where receiver Yasmani Grandal made the hook and threw to the second to complete a double play.
In the eighth, Ian Happ and Willson Contreras took a hard shot, but Addison Russell snuck into the selection of an outfielder and Albert Almora Jr. was found in a double play late in the season. handle.
"We have to cash in," said Maddon, after the Cubs were helpless in four hits with runners in goal position.
The Cubs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and did not score until Javier Baez hit a sacrificial fly in the ninth.
"We are hunting too far from the strike zone," said Maddon. "We have to force the pitcher into the strike zone, and once we do, everything will be fine."
The Cubs will have to be more resourceful, at least until Tuesday night. The painful left shoulder of Kris Bryant prevented him from leaving for the third consecutive game, and "I would not bet on him playing (Tuesday night)," Maddon said.
Javier Baez's sacrifice in the ninth prevented the Cubs from being whitened, and he made a powerful stint from the shallow left pitch to nail Justin Turner to the plate in sixth place.
But Baez hit Kenta Maeda three times as the Cubs lost for the sixth time in a row at Dodger Stadium, where they are 2-8 in their last 10 games here.
"Los Angeles is a huge rival for a lot of people here," Baez said. "I do not really like traffic, but I like it here, we have to get used to these games."
Underwood, who should return to Triple-A Iowa, took advantage of his first promotion to the majors. He arrived about four hours before the match and posed for a photo on the field.
Underwood admitted that he had slept little after being informed of his promotion Sunday by Iowa director Marty Pevey. He had the support of his parents and godparents in the stands and savored his 14-lap mat against Matt Kemp, which resulted in a walk after Kemp hit seven shots in two strokes.
"It was beautiful," said Underwood. "For me, it was poetry in motion."
Director Joe Maddon did not feel an episode of "hyper nervousness" from Underwood.
"It's very difficult to throw 41 shots and not give up," said Maddon. "It's almost impossible."
Twitter @MDGonzales
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