Speed, clutch hitting spark Cubs to much-needed victory
The Cubs caused havoc on the basepaths Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.
And Cody Bellinger delivered the crushing blow.
The Cubs tied a season-high with 6 stolen bases and Bellinger delivered the game-winning, 3-run home run in the 7th inning as the Cubs beat the Rays 4-3 at Tropicana Field Wednesday night.
Wednesday initially looked like a similar tale to Tuesday’s walk-off loss. The Cubs had 6 hits through the first 6.2 innings and had just 1 run to show for it. Trailing 2-1, Christopher Morel singled with two outs in the frame to start the Cubs’ rally. After his hit, the Rays turned to lefty Garrett Cleavinger to combat Michael Busch, who was hitting second in the Cubs’ lineup as Craig Counsell looked to shake up a struggling offense.
Counsell, though, sent Patrick Wisdom to pinch hit for Busch and he was hit by a pitch, moving the tying run into scoring position. That’s when the Cubs turned to their secret sauce that had worked all night. Morel and Wisdom deployed a double steal, putting more pressure on Cleavinger.
Bellinger then deposited a 1-2 cutter to right center field to give the Cubs a lead and a much-needed win. Bellinger has thrived against left-handed pitching over the last two seasons. He is hitting .339 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI against southpaws since he joined the Cubs.
The win, though, was not without drama.
After blowing the save opportunity on Tuesday, Héctor Neris was called upon again in a save situation in the 9th. Neris allowed a solo home run to José Caballero with one out and then allowed a single and a walk.
Yandy Díaz grounded out to second on a high chopper, moving the tying run 90 feet away from home. But Neris got the best of last night’s hero for Tampa Bay, Brandon Lowe, forcing him to fly out to center to preserve the win.
Nico Hoerner had a pair of steals in the 6th inning but was stranded on third. Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong both had steals in the win, too. The Cubs have been using their speed more of late. Since May 1, the Cubs are tied for third in the majors in stolen bases (44). The Cubs had just 9 stolen bases as a team before then.
Javier Assad was solid in his start — he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings.
But the bullpen was stellar. Tyson Miller pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts and Drew Smyly went six up and six down with 3 strikeouts, bridging the gap to Neris and keeping the Cubs in the ballgame to rally.
The Cubs will look to take the series Thursday night, with Justin Steele toeing the rubber in the finale.