As frustrating as last night’s loss was, tonight’s was equally … relieving? Gratifying? Stolen? Kinda feels like stolen.
After eight dominating innings from Gerrit Cole, where the Cubs’ bats could do absolutely nothing, Alex Avila came through with an RBI triple in the 9th inning against Daniel Hudson to give the Cubs the only run of the game, and a much-needed win. (The best part is that now I don’t really have to say anything about the decision to pinch run for Anthony Rizzo in that 9th inning.)
Jose Quintana was fantastic for six innings, holding down the Pirates in almost as dominating a fashion as Cole. A couple very long at bats shortened his evening, but it was the kind of outing you really wanted to see right now.
Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, and Wade Davis managed scoreless innings to end the game (with Davis looking especially dominant).
Cubs win, Cubs win, Cubs win. Counts the same as a 17-0 win in the standings.
Turns out they had him right where they wanted him all along …