Willson Contreras played hero, getting plunked (again) early, and then plunking back with a decisive two-run homer in the 8th.
Pressed into service by Kyle Hendricks’ late scratch, Alec Mills did all you could realistically hope for: he gave the Cubs 4.0 innings of two-run ball, the only damage coming on a Luis Urias homer. The bullpen covered the rest from there without allowing another run, and gave the Cubs an opportunity to come back. That included the return of Pedro Strop, who looked pretty darn good in his scoreless frame.
On the whole, the Cubs are still struggling mightily offensively, and they can win only so many games like this. But the pitching and defense carried the day, and Contreras’s well-timed blast was just enough …