Hodge allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rockies.
Hodge suffered his first blown save since ascending to the closer role, allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Sam Hilliard with two outs in the ninth inning. That blast ended a 15-inning scoreless streak for Hodge, who has emerged as one of the Cubs' most reliable relievers in the second half. He's now at a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB with five saves, nine holds and three blown saves over 39 innings this season. Hodge has been scored on in just five of his 35 appearances.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Locks down fifth save
Rotowire
Hodge picked up the save in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers, working around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning.
The game ended on what would have been a two-run homer by Max Muncy had Pete Crow-Armstrong not timed his jump perfectly to snag the ball over the wall on a highlight reel catch. With that, Hodge secured his fifth save of the year and fourth since Aug. 20. He has continued to be a reliable high-leverage option for the Cubs and is now up to 14 straight scoreless appearances while giving up only five hits in 15 innings over that span. For the year, he owns a 1.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 46:17 K:BB in 38 innings.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Secures fourth save
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Hodge walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Yankees.
Hodge continues to thrive in a high-leverage role. He's on a 14-inning scoreless streak, posting a 20:6 K:BB with just five hits allowed in that span. The 23-year-old right-hander has pitched to an excellent 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB while collecting four saves and nine holds over 37 innings this season. He has functioned as the Cubs' primary closer since Aug. 20. Hodge won't face much competition for the closing job while Jorge Lopez (groin) is on the injured list.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Puts bow on team no-hitter
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Hodge pitched a clean ninth inning in Wednesday's 12-0 win over the Pirates to wrap up a combined no-hitter for the Cubs.
It wasn't a save situation for Hodge, though he still faced plenty of pressure after starter Shota Imanaga and Nate Pearson kept Pittsburgh without a hit through eight innings. Hodge didn't flinch and breezed through the frame on just nine pitches, which has been customary for the young righty all season as he's now sporting a sparkling 1.75 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Hodge looks locked in as the Cubs' closer for the rest of 2024, and the 23-year-old appears ready to be a fantasy contributor for years to come as well.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Secures third save
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Hodge earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hodge put two runners on with one out but registered back-to-back punchouts to earn his third save of the season. He has recorded either a win or a save in four of his past five outings and has not allowed a run in 11 consecutive appearances. On the season, the rookie has been impressive across the board with a 1.80 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB over 35 innings and figures to lead the Cubs in save chances down the stretch.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Records third win Wednesday
Rotowire
Hodge (3-1) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 14-10 victory over the Pirates. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Hodge has all three of his wins this season in the last 18 days, and he's been stellar this month with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 12 innings in August. For the season, he has an outstanding 1.85 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 34 innings to go along with 43 strikeouts. With Hector Neris gone, Hodge has ascended to the top of the pecking order in Chicago's bullpen, and the young righty has certainly been up to the task so far.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Earns win Friday
Rotowire
Hodge (2-1) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Friday against the Marlins. He walked one and struck out three.
Hodge came on with two outs in the seventh inning, then worked through the eighth as well. The young righty continued his strong recent play and lowered his season ERA to a sparkling 1.99. Jorge Lopez worked the ninth for the save in Friday's 6-3 win, but the two pitchers may simply split closing duties moving forward following the release of Hector Neris on Tuesday. It was Hodge who secured the first save for the Cubs after Neris was cut loose.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Continues strong play
Rotowire
Hodge tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 9-4 win against the Royals to earn a hold. He struck out one.
Hodge has been sharp for the Cubs in his MLB debut season, posting a strong 2.14 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 21 innings. He's also recorded five holds and a save. Hodge has the look of a capable closer, though Chicago has gone with veteran Hector Neris in that role for much of the year. However, if the team continues to fall out of playoff contention, it could give the 23-year-old rookie a chance to take over, particularly if Neris happens to be traded by Tuesday's deadline.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Strikes out five Friday
Rotowire
Hodge tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 11-1 loss to the Mets. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out five.
In a game that featured 14 hits and 11 runs for New York, Hodge was a bright spot out of the Chicago bullpen. The rookie set a new career best in strikeouts, and he now has 12 of them across 7.1 innings this season to go along with a strong 2.45 ERA. If Hodge can keep pitching like this, he may see his role expand as the year goes on.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Hodge from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hodge has posted a 4.80 ERA and walked 12 over 15 innings this season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, but he's also struck out 26. This will be the first stint in the majors for the 23-year-old.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Spotted in clubhouse
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Hodge was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse prior to Friday's game against the Pirates, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
No roster moves have been announced yet, but it would appear the Cubs could be adding Hodge to their bullpen. The 23-year-old holds a 4.80 ERA and 26:12 K:BB over 15 innings between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa this season. It would be Hodge's first promotion to the major leagues.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Headed to Double-A
Rotowire
Hodge was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hodge put up an uninspiring posting a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 80.2 frames with Tennessee last season, although he did fan 103 batters. He pitched as both a starter and reliever last season and it's not clear what role the Cubs have planned for him this season.
