Chicago Cubs
Imanaga let up five runs in total in his last two appearances against the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, both of whom erased the Cubs’ advantage. It was a steamy Wednesday night at Camden Yards, and in the sixth inning he was in danger once more.
Imanaga attempted to steal a three-run lead, but the Baltimore Orioles put runners on second and third with one out. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy visited the mound, and Imanaga ended the threat and his appearance by getting Jorge Mateo to strikeout a splitter down and away and striking out Austin Hays looking.
Imanaga’s six scoreless innings supported an offence that defeated Orioles ace Corbin Burnes with three runs in order to win 4-0. The outcome gave the Cubs (44-49) their first three-game winning streak since April 23–26 and their fifth in their previous six games.
After his night ended with back-to-back strikeouts, Imanaga began to leave the field. He gestured to his catcher, Miguel Amaya, and rubbed his chest, acknowledging that Amaya had made mistakes during the inning despite what Imanaga thought was excellent pitch sequencing.
Speaking through interpreter Edwin Stanberry, Imanaga stated, “That was a situation I created on my own.”
Imanaga missed a couple splitters over the centre of the plate, but Amaya gave him credit for his ability to adjust within the inning.
“He’s incredibly skilled at what he does, particularly in reacting quickly to a poor pitch,” Amaya remarked. “You’ve already witnessed his abilities this season, and he performed brilliantly tonight.”
Imanaga reduced his earned run average to 2.97 and has only allowed one earned run in ten of his seventeen outings. Only twice has he given up more than three earned runs. Imanaga might throw for the Cubs as their lone representative in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, as he is not expected to start again until then.
Imanaga declared, “I want to repay all the guys who helped me.” “I’m just really grateful for everyone who helped me, and that I get to play in the All-Star Game. Reaching there is a fantastic learning opportunity.
The Orioles reliever Cionel Pérez hit Cody Bellinger with a sinker that reached 97 mph in the top of the seventh inning, sending him out of the game despite the offence having some strong at-bats during the victory. Bellinger examined his finger before leaving for the bottom part of the inning, even though he had initially stayed in. Bellinger was replaced by Miles Mastrobuoni by manager Craig Counsell after he grasped a baseball in the dugout and lost confidence in his ability to make a throw from right field.
When asked if there was cause for concern that he was experiencing more than just finger swelling, Bellinger responded that there were advantages and disadvantages to the circumstance.
Bellinger stated, “It’s just really swollen right now, but the range of motion is pretty good.” However, I’ve discovered that you have to wait for the CT scan before you can form any conclusions.
The Cubs can rest Bellinger as needed during the next four days before the four-day All-Star break, since Pete Crow-Armstrong returned to the lineup on Wednesday night after missing four games due to sutures for a cut on his left thumb. However, if examinations show Bellinger actually broke his finger and needs time on the injured list, then that option obviously alters.
