First, the Japanese slugger committed an error that led to four unearned runs for Cincinnati. Then he responded with his first career grand slam — a big swing that seemed to be of little consolation to Suzuki after the mistake in the field.
“As a player, you’ve got to make those routine plays,” Suzuki said through a translator. “I’m going to try to practice and get out there during BP. Just make sure I make those routine plays moving forward.”
The start of the game was delayed for almost 3 1/2 hours because of rain, and the showers continued with varying intensity through the first few innings.
Cincinnati had the bases loaded with two out in the second when But the ball went off the side of Suzuki’s glove.
All three runners scored, and followed with an RBI single that lifted the Reds to a 4-0 lead. What was left of the announced crowd of 36,430 then cheered sarcastically when Suzuki caught ‘s flyball for the final out of the inning.
Chicago loaded the bases in the bottom of the second on three walks by After struck out swinging for the second out, Suzuki sent a charge through the waterlogged crowd when he drove a full-count fastball deep to left.
“You’re going to be down after that happens and he went and he had a great at-bat in a huge spot,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “And with one swing of the bat, the game’s back to even. So credit to Seiya for staying in it, because you feel awful when you do that.”
Suzuki’s sixth homer traveled 400 feet with a 106.9 mph exit velocity. The Japanese slugger also hit his first triple of the season in the first on a drive to center with a 103.1 mph exit velocity.
But he struck out swinging in the fourth, and struck out again in the seventh with a runner on second and no outs.
“To be honest with you, when I reflect on my at-bats today, I can’t really tell you how I’m feeling,” Suzuki said. “It was more of that play in the second inning, that play in right field, that kind of drove my emotions throughout the whole (game). It was a play that I should have made, and it did have some toll on the team.”
The Cubs are hoping to rebound this month after they hit .217 and averaged 3.5 runs per game while going 10-18 in May. A resurgent Suzuki could go a long way to helping the issues with the team’s lineup.
The 29-year-old Suzuki hit .285 with 20 homers and 74 RBIs last year in his second season in the majors. He got off to a solid start this year, batting .305 with three homers and 13 RBIs in his first 15 games, but he strained his ri
