Jameson Taillon comes off the injured list and pitches Cubs to 8
CHICAGO (AP) — Jameson Taillon allowed one run over five innings in his first start this season after recovering from a strained back, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 8-3 on Friday.
Nico Hoerner doubled twice for the Cubs, who have won five of six.
Miami fell to an NL-worst 4-16.
Taillon (1-0), in the second season of a $68 million, four-year contract, did not pitch in any spring training games, then made a pair of minor league rehab outings on April 7 and 12.
The 32-year-old right-hander gave up three hits, struck out four and walked none. He threw 73 pitches, including 27 fastballs that averaged 93.7 mph.
“I thought he was very sharp,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He got ahead and finished at-bats quickly.”
Taillon retired his first 10 batters and had a 7-0 lead before Bryan De La Cruz hit his fourth home run this season.