Although it sure FELT like the Cubs offense was in total control of this game early on, the scoreboard didn’t really reflect that reality through the first five innings. Despite (at one point) having seven hits, including four doubles, three walks, and seven stolen bases, the Cubs had scored just three runs total.
But that all changed with two outs in the sixth inning.
But let me scoot back in time a bit, because the sixth inning actually began with the man of the moment, Dansby Swanson, taking a leadoff walk. He moved over to third on PCA’s single and scored on Miguel Amaya’s RBI double. For a moment, though, the rally looked like it was going to stall out, as Ian Happ and Michael Busch both struck out. But Seiya Suzuki kept it alive with an RBI single of his own.
Then the Pirates walked three batters in a row — Cody Bellinger (intentional), Isaac Paredes (to load the bases), and Nico Hoerner (to walk in a run) – before Dansby Swanson delivered the dagger.
108.5 MPH off the bat, 405 feet, 4 runs scored.
Dansby Swanson’s 11th homer of the year was a big one!