NEWSLETTER
Uhm … we’re the first-half Cubs just body-snatched by the Padres?
After scoring the game-tying run on a solo shot in the top of the 8th inning off Pedro Strop (who still doesn’t have his velocity back … we’re gonna have to talk about that 8th inning role soon), the Padres absolutely melted down in the bottom-half of the inning and gifted the Cubs the go-ahead/game-winning run.
The rally started with an Anthony Rizzo single up the middle and continued when he reached third on Addison Russell’s (73 MPH exit velocity) fielders choice … which wound up allowing him to advance to second base. The Padres then intentionally walked Jason Heyward (smart, because he’s a beast right now), setting up all the drama for David Bote … who hit a weak grounder to third which left Rizzo out at the plate on a force.
But instead of completing the double-play, the Padres catcher sent the ball into right field and Russell came around to score! Cubs lead. And, eventually, Cubs win.
Craig Kimbrel came in to take the ninth, and despite once again not really having his best command (another thing we’ll soon have to discuss), he got his 5th save as a Cub. B-e-a-utiful.
Offensively, Anthony Rizzo finally broke out of his homer-slump with his 20th blast of the season (a grand salami, no less) and Javy Baez broke out of his regular slump with a 2-4 day, including an opposite field homer of his own.
Almora, Bote, and Russell combined to go 1-12 with 7Ks today – and the only hit was a lucky infield single that shouldn’t have been – which further underscores the need for another quality bat in this lineup right now. But that’s a discussion for another day.
For now, rejoice: The Cubs won again and they’ve been hot-hot-hot!
