Imanaga, Swanson Lead Cubs Past A's
Cubs pitchers combine for 16 strikeouts
Hayden Wesneski allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings, striking out six batters in his first start of the season. Veteran reliever Brad Hand entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning and escaped the jam without allowing a run. He struck out two batters in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Keegan Thompson pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four batters. Rowan Wick and Mark Leiter Jr. each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game for Chicago.
Swanson breaks out of slump with big game
Dansby Swanson entered the game hitting just .179 with one home run and five RBIs in 15 games. But he broke out of his slump in a big way against the Athletics, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Swanson's home run came in the third inning off A's starter Paul Blackburn. It was his second home run of the season.
Imanaga dominant in second start
Kohei Imanaga made his second start of the season and was dominant, striking out 11 batters in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed just two runs on four hits and one walk.
Imanaga's outing was a continuation of his impressive start to the season. In two starts, he has allowed just four runs on eight hits and three walks in 10 2/3 innings, striking out 18 batters.
Cubs win third straight
The Cubs have now won three straight games after dropping their first two games of the season. They are now 3-2 on the season and in second place in the NL Central, one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs will face the A's again on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Justin Steele will start for the Cubs, while James Kaprielian will start for the A's.
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