MIAMI – For starting pitcher Shota Imanaga, a new haircut might have been the thing he needed to put his latest skid behind him.
“I love his haircut,” manager Craig Counsell said ahead of the Cubs’ series opener with the Marlins on Friday. “It’s what we do, change something up. I love it.”
In Chicago’s 6-1 win at loanDepot park, Imanaga threw six-plus innings on 94 pitches, allowing just three hits while striking out four. He was charged with his only run in the bottom of the seventh after giving up a leadoff single to Griffin Conine, who later scored on a groundout by Esteury Ruiz against reliever Aaron Civale.
Entering Friday, Imanaga had allowed 11 home runs over his previous six starts. His 33 homers allowed this season are tied with Athletics lefty Jeffrey Springs for the most in the Majors.
But on Friday, Imanaga kept the Marlins’ offense quiet for the most part, and Pete Crow-Armstrong made sure to help him do so.
After Heriberto Hernández sent a deep fly ball to center in the sixth, Crow-Armstrong tracked it down and jumped into the wall to snag it and rob him of at least an extra-base hit.
The Cubs’ offense also made sure to take advantage of its opportunities.
In the top of the second, with runners on the corners, Pedro Ramírez grounded into a forceout that allowed Ian Happ to score after he singled earlier in the inning.
The Cubs added to their lead in the sixth after Jack Ralston replaced Marlins starter Janson Junk. Ralston gave three free passes to Chicago to load the bases before Marlins manager Clayton McCullough walked to the mound and signaled for reliever Josh Ekness.
Ekness gave up another walk to Happ, allowing Crow-Armstrong -- who had led off the inning with a walk -- to cross home plate. An RBI single from Nico Hoerner and a sacrifice fly by Ramírez put the score at 4-0.
Crow-Armstrong added another run in the seventh, scoring on a wild pitch from Bradley Blalock after leading off the frame with a double.