Thanks in large part to the brutal shadows at Miller Park (and the Cubs’ own swing-and-miss proclivities), it was looking like one of those games that would be decided by a single run. So, when Eric Thames hit an early homer off of Yu Darvish, it was not entirely irrational to think that might be it.
But not only did Kris Bryant match the Thames homer, the Cubs managed to plate four in the 9th after the Brewers had taken the lead in the 8th. A couple Brewers gaffes helped in the process, of course, but the Cubs actually had to make some contact – huzzah! – to pull this one out.
And they did. Enjoy:
This is my W. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/8kVZR0MyK0
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 7, 2018
Get guys in scoring position, and then put the ball in play. Good things can happen, and they did today. I’d imagine the hit felt especially good for Ian Happ given his deep struggles in this early part of the season.
Gotta love the cameo from Jon Lester there as the pinch-hit-bunter extraordinaire. With the corners charging and a force at home, that’s nearly an impossible squeeze to pull off – and Lester did it perfectly. It was reminiscent of a certain other pinch-bunt winner in his illustrious career.