The Cubs won last night’s game by a single run – thanks to a struggling offense and great starting pitching, they’ve been in a lot of close games lately – and most of the visible credit for that will go to Ian Happ and his dramatic three-run homer. Deserved.

But obviously the pitching and defense deserve some credit any time you hold down an opposing offense to just a couple runs.

The only inning that was trouble for Cubs pitching was the 4th, when Cole Hamels allowed a couple solo homers, and also allowed the next two batters (with a boot in the outfield) to reach second and third with nobody out. But the Cubs got out of the inning without allowing further damage thanks to two Hamels strikeouts surrounding a great play at the plate.

On that play, the Cubs undoubtedly got some help from an apparently indecisive Eugenio Suarez, but it was still a credit to Javy Baez for acting quickly and Victor Caratini for snagging a wild throw and still making the play:

Without that play, who knows how many the Reds go on to score that inning, and maybe the game ends very differently.

Victor Caratini tags out Eugenio Suarez after a great throw from Javy Baez to cut down the run. @VictorCaratini @javy23baez #everybodyin @Cubs @BleacherNation @realcubsinsider pic.twitter.com/AnGKWDW5ST

— MBDChicago (@MBDChicago) September 15, 2018