Watch the Cubs’ wacky walk-off win over the Pirates at Wrigley Field
Ian Happ went through a gamut of emotions in just about 9 seconds on Thursday night.
With runners on the corners and 1 out in a tie game in the 11th inning, Ian Happ was looking forward to having a chance to collect his first major-league walk-off.
On an 0-1 pitch from Sam Howard, Happ took a hack at an 85-mph slider. He mishit it, though, popping it straight up into the infield. He was frustrated with himself, grabbing his bat and ready to slam it into the ground. He restrained himself and jogged towards first base. That’s when the swirling winds at Wrigley Field took over.
“Wind can be tricky here,” Happ said. “It’s something that high popups like that, moving, they can get a little crazy.”
The tricky winds messed with Pirates second baseman Wilmer Difo, who misread the popup. the ball fell next to him and Sergio Alcántara darted home to score the winning run and give Happ his first walk-off in the most unusual way.
“Passed balls, walks, hit by pitches, but never anything like that,” Happ said. “Obviously frustrated that I missed the pitch and then ecstatic that we won the game. Just a crazy way to end it.”
Watch the full play above.