What was intended to be a laugher got way too close for comfort in the final two innings, as the bullpen gave up some garbage time runs, the defense got sloppy, and Brandon Morrow wound up having to close a game that the Cubs led 8-1 in the 8th inning.
For the second time in as many days, the Cubs got out to a sufficiently hot start that they batted around in the first inning (yeah, I said it) and scored four runs. The big blow was an Anthony Rizzo three-run shot.
The Cubs added four runs from there, which wound up being necessary, as Carl Edwards Jr. gave up a three-run shot in garbage time. Sorry about your ERA, bro, but better to give up a three-run homer on a day like today than in a tight game against an NL Central opponent, I guess.
Jon Lester was solid, though he didn’t quite make it through six innings, which is disappointing, given the blowout. That said, he threw only 92 pitches, so he theoretically could have gone deeper if the situation had permitted it.
Willson Contreras had another big day, Javy Baez had some fun out on the bases, and a win is a win.
Among the other relievers in the game … this guy has had a lotta scoreless, walkless outings in a row …