The Chicago Cubs got a much-needed victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, winning 7-6 in 11 innings.
The win moved the Cubs to 39-45 while the loss dropped the Brewers to 46-40.
The Cubs victory was aided by the defensive ability of outfielder Ian Happ, who did something that hasn't been done in baseball in 17 years.
Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN:
Ian Happ with OF assists at home plate in the 10th and 11th innings in the Cubs wild 7-6 win. Per @ESPNStatsInfo:
He's the first player with two outfield assists in extra innings in the same game since Endy Chavez (NYM) against the Giants on June 4, 2006
The focus in baseball these days is on hitting for power and high-velocity pitching, but defense remains important and Happ showed that on Tuesday.
The Cubs are trying to stay afloat in the National League playoff race. They have lost seven of their last 10 and are 7.0 games back in the National League Central. They are 6.0 games back in the National League wild card race.
The Cubs are Brewers will battle again on Wednesday night as Justin Steele pitches against Adrian Houser.
Steele is 9-2 this season with a 2.43 ERA while Houser is 3-2 with a 3.88.
The two teams will finish out the series on Thursday afternoon (2:10) before the Cubs finish out the first half of the season in matchup full of baseball history: They'll take on the Yankees for three games at Yankee Stadium.
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