CHICAGO -- If the Chicago Cubs were suffering from a metaphorical hangover after clinching their division with three weeks to go before the playoffs, it wore off during Monday’s game. Just in time, too. Especially for Jason Hammel.
The Cubs put up three runs in the seventh, a rally coming on the heels of Hammel’s seven quality innings that gave them a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. While the game itself was relatively low stakes for the NL Central champs, the win had more than a few positive ramifications.
Hammel became the Cubs’ fourth 15-game winner, joining Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, and Jake Arrieta.