Hendricks allowed one run on eight hits over eight-plus innings with eight strikeouts in the Cubs’ 5-1 win over the Tigers.
DETROIT – Consistency has been key for Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks as he’s tried to return to form and help get the team’s rotation back on track. Hendricks has had an up-and-down start to his season, but he looked like the ace the Cubs need him to be on Sunday, tossing eight innings of one-run ball in their 5-1 victory over the Tigers. Not only was it Hendricks’ best start of the season, but the best by any Cubs starter. “I felt so much more like myself,” Hendricks said after earning his third victory of the season. When Hendricks has struggled this season, the first inning has been where much of the damage has been done. It looked like his start on Sunday would be more of the same after allowing a pair of first-inning singles. But after getting a 5-6-3 inning-ending double play, Hendricks went into cruise control. “I just need to try and not do too much,” Hendricks said. “Just make my pitches and get through it. A little too anxious or too eager. Jumping to the plate a little bit. So the adjustment was to breathe out there, take a few deep breaths and slow it down.” Hendricks got in an early rhythm with catcher Willson Contreras and went to work against Detroit and was locked in.
