Jameson Taillon went with the “kitchen-sink approach” for Game 3 of the National League wild-card series against the San Diego Padres.
“Just throw everything,” the Chicago Cubs starter said. “Don’t be predictable (and) stay out of their hot areas. I knew I had a really good bullpen backing me up, so I was just going to be a little more precise with my locations.
“Just mix and don’t repeat.”
The right-hander set the tone for an afternoon filled with outstanding pitching in the series-clinching 3-1 victory Thursday at Wrigley Field.
“I thought the game was about what Taillon gave us at the start,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I thought it was absolutely crucial. We knew we were going to have a couple guys that we were going to have to work really hard, but with him giving us four innings and getting 12 outs, really put it together.”
Taillon allowed two hits, struck out four and did not surrender a walk in four innings.
“Waking up today, I was extremely nervous,” Taillon said. “Today felt different. But this is what I prepare for. Not to be too cliche or anything, but I do the same routine and the same process every single day. I know what’s required of me every single day when I show up to the field.
“And I do it for eight months so that in moments like this it doesn’t feel like bigger than it is. I’m able to go out and execute pitches.”
He was sharp from the beginning, striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. to start the afternoon. Taillon retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced.
“He’s incredible,” second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “He’s a guy that relies on execution and touch. He’s been through a lot in his career to earn those moments. It meant extra to me to watch him tonight.”
Added shortstop Dansby Swanson: “He was unbelievable. That might have been the best I’ve seen him, truly. They looked like they were off-balanced. He was mixing it up. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Taillon received plenty of defensive support along the way.
Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a sliding catch to rob Manny Machado of a hit to end the first inning. And in the fourth, Swanson made a leaping attempt on a liner hit by Luis Arráez. Swanson didn’t make the catch, but he recovered in time to throw Arráez out at first.
“They want to make the plays,” Taillon said of the up-the-middle defense. “They want the ball. That’s what makes great defenders.”
Taillon’s only bit of trouble came later in the fourth when Jackson Merrill doubled with two outs. Xander Bogaerts popped out to Swanson to end the threat.
The bullpen took over, with contributions from Caleb Thielbar, Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge.
“They did what they’ve done a lot this year,” Counsell said. “I always say they’re connected because they get each other’s outs and that makes the next guy’s job easier. Danny went out for three separate innings (fifth, sixth and seventh, pitching 1 1/3 innings). He had three ups in that, which is hard to do for a reliever.
“I’m really proud of that group. They worked hard today. A couple of those guys worked really hard, and they worked hard this series.”
With Pomeranz pitching, Hoerner made a fantastic leaping catch on a Jose Iglesias liner to keep a runner on second in the seventh inning.
Keller allowed one hit during a scoreless eighth inning. He returned for the ninth and surrendered a leadoff homer to Merrill. After striking out Bogaerts looking, he hit the next two hitters. Kittredge entered and got the final two outs, leading to the celebration in front of 40,895 at Wrigley Field.
“I love this group, I love those guys that were out there,” Taillon said of the relievers. “Brad Keller’s been incredible for us. For (Kittredge) to come in and pick him up right there was huge.”
And now it’s on to the NL Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Taillon is looking forward to the possibility of being called on again.
“I’ll be ready,” he said.