The Cubs launched four home runs and rookie Kyle Schwarber collected four hits in his first Major League start, backing a solid outing from lefty Tsuyoshi Wada in a 17-0 rout over the Indians on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
Chicago’s romp reached the point where the Indians used a pair of position players — outfielders Ryan Raburn and David Murphy — as pitchers to finish the game. It was also the most lopsided shutout in the history of Interleague Play, surpassing Oakland’s 16-0 win over the Giants on June 26, 2005.
“That’s an anomaly night,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “That doesn’t happen. Look what happened to Washington tonight after they had just beaten Tampa Bay by a large number the day before. It happens, it’s how this game is played. You’ve got to come ready to play tomorrow night, because I know the Indians will be.”
Anthony Rizzo (12 home runs this season), Addison Russell (five homers), Chris Denorfia (one) and Kris Bryant (eight) each belted a long ball for Chicago, which has won eight of its last 12 games. The Cubs’ 10-run outburst between the second and third innings was more than ample for supporting a strong seven-inning effort from Wada (no runs allowed on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks).
For the Indians, right-hander Shaun Marcum absorbed the loss after being charged with six runs on six hits in only two innings. Marcum gave up a pair of two-run homers — one each to Russell and Rizzo in a six-run second for the Cubs. Marcum’s abbreviated effort forced Indians manager Terry Francona to cycle through eight relievers, including Raburn and Murphy in the ninth inning, the rest of the way.
Murphy surrendered a grand slam to Bryant to cap off Chicago’s seven-run ninth.
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