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Javier Assad getting much-needed experience in first season as full-time starter

Related Topics: Javier Assad, Paul Goldschmidt

Erin Hooley/AP Photos

Cubs starter Javier Assad put himself in a precarious position. The right-hander had just walked first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in a bases-loaded situation to bring home a run with two outs in the third inning. Walks have been troublesome for the young starter and with Nolan Arenado up to bat — and the wind blowing at Wrigley Field — the situation could have snowballed.

But Assad regrouped and got Arenado to chase a 87.4 mph cutter out of the zone, resulting in a fly out to left fielder Ian Happ to end the inning.