Cubs Game Day: Reds lead 3
The run-starved Chicago Cubs hope their return to Wrigley Field Friday for the start of a weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds will energize their dormant offense.
The Cubs were shut out in both ends of Wednesday's double-header against the Yankees in New York.
'Situationally, we've had some opportunities the last couple of days to put some runs across,' Cubs manager Rick Renteria said before Friday afternoon's game. 'Maybe we've become a little anxious with our approaches at the plate, not putting ourselves in the frame of mind that the pitcher is on the ropes in a particular situation. Then we get outside of ourselves a little bit, wanting to do too much.'
Wednesday's double-header blanking of the Cubs marked the first time that has happened to them since June 27, 1962, against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
'I want these guys to stay relaxed,' Renteria said. 'When they come into the ballpark, I want them to feel comfortable in their element. There's no reason for us as coaches to put them in a state of panic. They are frustrated just as much as anybody else. The most important thing is to kind help them step away from that frustration and just regroup and put their approaches back into play and see if we can maximize some run production.'
Righthander Jeff Samardzija (0.1, 1.29) got the starting call for the Cubs. The Reds countered with righthander Alfredo Simon (1-1, 1.20. The Reds dominated the Cubs last season, winning 14 of 19 contests, including nine of 10 at Wrigley Field.
fmitchell@tribune.com
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