NEWSLETTER
The Cubs may have won last night’s game because of Shota Imanaga’s dominance, Chris Morel’s sac fly, Cody Bellinger’s homer, and Michael Busch’s lightning-fueled walk-off. But the game was saved by two huge defensive moments from Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner. And for that, they each get some love.
Nico Hoerner’s Run/Game-Saving Catch
After throwing seven shutout innings, Shota Imanaga came out for the 8th and gave up his first two runs of the game on a single that just snuck past the glove of a diving Nico Hoerner and a two-run homer off the bat of Jurickson Profar. And that was it for his (very impressive) night.
Yency Almonte, who’s been trusted with increasingly big moments, came in to relieve him with no on and nobody out. Unfortunately, he was immediately greeted by Fernando Tatis Jr. who singled, stole second base, and advanced to third a couple of outs later. That’s when Xander Bogaerts stepped up to the plate and ALMOST extended the Padres lead to two runs if not for Hoerner.
What a catch by @nico_hoerner 👏 pic.twitter.com/AdVTeUVCfZ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 8, 2024
Although that blooper came off the bat at just 65.5 MPH, it actually had an expected batting average of … .890! That was a nearly-perfectly placed hit. But Hoerner is incredibly at all facets of his position, streaking WAY out into right-center field to make an incredibly acrobatic over the shoulder and diving catch. He is so SO good.
Ian Happ Against the Ivy
But the Cubs defensive display didn’t end there.
In the top of the ninth inning, after the Cubs had scored a run, Hector Neris came out to preserve the tie. He got the first batter out on a fly out to center field. And then Ha-Seong Kim reached on a single.
The next batter, Jose Azocar, then lifted one way out (366 feet) to left center field, which looked like BIG trouble off the bat.
Fortunately, Ian Happ has been playing left field at Wrigley for a long time now, and he knows how to do it. He ran to the gap, never once taking his eye of the ball to check for the brick wall that just fractured two of Cody Bellinger’s ribs, before pulling it down and firing it back in.
Ian Happ makes the running catch in front of the ivy to prevent a 9th inning run pic.twitter.com/VYl5B8oafB
— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) May 8, 2024
And don’t forget, Ha-Seong Kim is a really good runner. He stole 38 bags last season and rated as the 15th best base runner in the entire league. If that ball wasn’t caught, he might’ve scored.
I know we sometimes discount Happ’s two Gold Gloves because it’s only left field, and that’s partially true. But this isn’t the first time his defense out there has potentially saved a game for the Cubs – his game ending double-play and outfield assist in New York was just last week.
Happ’s not quite himself at the plate right now, but that defense in left field is still very valuable.
