Focus set on outfield
Heyward, Cubs not new to challenges of AT&T Park
Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward returned Sunday to the site of one of the greatest catches of his career, and he loves AT&T Park and its spacious challenges in right field.
“This outfield is a fun one because there’s a lot of space in that direction (right center), and as a outfielder you want to run and be able to get the ball and feel you can catch everything,” said Heyward, who wasn’t in the starting lineup in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Monday in San Francisco.
“This outfield gives you an opportunity to do that, especially going back in that gap.”
The Cubs devoted the last portion of Sunday’s workout to outfield play in right because of its 24-foot brick wall and different angles that presents challenges. The outfielders were told to not charge drives so fast if they can’t get to the ball due to the fear the ball will carom past them.
In the case of 6-foot-5 Heyward, he ran nearly 35 yards before catching a deep drive near the 421foot sign in right center to rob Denard Span of an extra base hit May 20.
Heyward made the diving catch before crashing into the wall and suffering injuries to his right torso and abdomen that sidelined him for three games.
“I didn’t forget,” Heyward smiled. “It was a fun catch.”
Ben Zobrist started Monday night’s game in place of Heyward, who started the first two games. Zobrist entered the game Cubs OF Jason Heyward suffers injuries crashing into the right-field wall at AT&T Park on May 20 in San Francisco. GIANTS VS. CUBS Cubs lead 2-0 Game 1: Cubs 1-0 Game 2: Cubs 5-2 Game 3: Late Game 4: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday* Cubs (Lackey 11-8) at Giants (Moore 13-12), FS1 Game 5: 8:30 p.m. Thur.* Giants (Cueto 18-5) at Cubs (Lester 19-5), FS1 x-if necessary 6-for-12 in his career against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner. Heyward was 3-for-15.
Saturday night’s Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Giants and Cubs was the highest rated and most watched program in MLB Network history.
According to the MLB Network, the game peaked with a 2.9 rating and 5.2 million viewers from 9 to 9:15 p.m. CT.
The telecast surpassed the previous record high involving the Nationals and Giants in Game 3 of the 2014 NLDS.
The game drew an 18.8 HH rating in the Chicago area, while San Francisco drew an 11.9 rating, up 80 percent from Game 3 of the 2014 NLDS.