Ten pitches. That’s all it took for Cubs prospect Porter Hodge to strike out the side in the ninth inning Wednesday in his major-league debut against the Braves.
“I knew we were down [9-2], but I was trying to give us another chance in the bottom of the ninth,” he said. “My heart was pounding, just trying to stay relaxed out there, and I did a good job with that.”
Hodge threw 10 straight fastballs to Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson, the Braves’ Nos. 2-4 hitters. He was the first Cubs reliever in 11 years to strike out all three batters he faced in his debut.
“What makes pitches good is that they’re unique, and hitters don’t see them a lot, and that’s kind of a unique fastball,” manager Craig Counsell said Thursday of the cut-ride characteristics of Hodge’s four-seamer. “There’s other guys that have it, but it’s just a unique shape to a fastball.”
Both Albies and Ozuna whiffed at the first two they saw and watched the third for a strikeout. Only Olson didn’t go down on three pitches. Hodge told the Sun-Times that after the first strike to Olson, catcher Miguel Amaya called for a slider, but Hodge shook no. In the end, a four-seamer at the top of the zone felled Olson as he swung under it.
“Fastball was obviously working, so why go away from that?” Hodge said. “I know how good my fastball is. They keep harping on that [with me,] so it’s just staying true to that.”
Eventually he’ll throw his slider and splitter, too.
“You’ve got to respect those pitches, too,” Hodge said. “So I feel like it helps the fastball play even better.”
Hodge, who was recalled last Friday, hadn’t pitched in five days. But he didn’t show any signs of rust.
“Porter was unbelievable,” outfielder Ian Happ said. “He was just in the zone, filling it up. Fastball is pretty unique. And to make it through that part of the lineup with that dominance is pretty cool to see.”
Another first for Brown
Greeted by customary applause from the fans in the right-field bleachers, rookie Ben Brown made sure to soak in the moment as he walked out to the bullpen to warm up before his first start at Wrigley Field.
“I got out there a little bit earlier,” he said. “It’s an experience like no other. Starting a home game at Wrigley Field is special.”
He blanked the Braves for four innings, holding them to one hit in the Cubs’ 3-0 loss.
Wesneski streak ends
Right-hander Hayden Wesneski didn’t allow a home run in his first nine appearances of the season. That streak ended as he surrendered a go-ahead solo shot to Jarred Kelenic, the first batter he faced Thursday. Wesneski retired the next five batters.
