Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel worked eight scoreless innings in Chicago's 4-0 win over the Pirates Monday. Hammel worked a nearly perfect start, only allowing one baserunner to reach third base.
"It all comes off the fastball," Hammel said, per MLB.com. "If you can't locate the fastball, you're going to be in big trouble. For me, it's especially important. I have to use my tall frame and use the downhill plane — sinkerballers, we have to establish a strike zone first and then you get swings early after that. I just worked on getting glove side and making sure I’m in counts that will make me succeed."
In the fifth inning, Hammel allowed a single to Francisco Cervelli, then Jordy Mercer reached on an error, moving Cervelli to second. After a sacrifice got Cervelli to third, he was left stranded on a Josh Harrison strikeout, one of Hammel's seven in the game.
"He kept hammering the strike zone, getting the first hitter out," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He was in control of the game."
Hammel, now 2-1, lowered his ERA to 3.55 on the year. He will look to keep rolling Sunday against the Brewers.