Following a series win in Seattle, the Chicago Cubs finish their west coast trip with a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs wanted to keep their momentum going in the first game, and it took some special plays for the Cubs to come back and take down the D-Backs in extras.
Tale of the Tape
Without Seiya Suzuki, the Cubs lineup looked slightly different for the first time all season. Dansby Swanson slid into the vacated two-hole, and Garrett Cooper stepped in to DH and hit sixth. However, it was Michael Busch and the lower parts of the lineup who carried the offense.
Things got started early in the second inning. In the top of the frame, Busch did it again. For the fifth consecutive game, the first baseman hit a home run. The solo shot gave the Cubbies an early 1-0 lead.
The Diamondbacks didn't waste any time responding. In the bottom of the second with two men on, Jake McCarthy swatted a single to score Christian Walker. Fortunately for the Cubs, that was the only threat from the D-Backs until late in the contest.
In between, Ben Brown and Merrill Kelly were sensational. Kelly only went 5.0 innings, but only allowed three hits, one run, and two walks while fanning five. On the other side, Brown was electric. The highly-touted prospect mowed through 6.0 innings of work on just 84 pitches. Brown allowed one hit, one run, and walked two while striking out four. The kid looked special in Arizona.
In the bottom of the eighth, the D-Backs took the lead. With Randal Grichuk and Ketel Marte on, Corbin Carroll's single scored Grichuk to give the hosts the lead. Luckily for the Cubs, the snakes failed to add any more runs, giving the D-Backs a chance to close it out in the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, magic struck for the Cubs. After a Garrett Cooper groundout, Nico Hoerner and Mike Tauchman each hit singles. A Miles Mastrobuoni strikeout threatened to end the game for the Cubs, until chaos happened.
With Ian Happ at the plate, a pitch got away from catcher Gabriel Moreno. The Kevin Ginkel wild pitch got all the way to the backstop off to the catcher's right. Hoerner, with heads up base running, came all the way around from second and narrowly beat the tag to tie the game.
After Arizona failed to score in the bottom of the ninth, extras were required. After really solid work from Luke Little, Drew Smyly, and Hector Neris, Keegan Thompson came in and pitched two spectacular innings in extra time.
After a scoreless tenth, the Cubs sent Nico Hoerner to the plate with the bases loaded. Nick Madrigal served as the ghost runner, and Michael Busch and Garrett Cooper reached via a walk and single, respectively. Hoerner hit a ball way above the strikezone to right field to drive in Madrigal and give the Cubs the lead.
Thompson shut down the Diamondbacks and stranded the ghost runner at third in the eleventh to help the Cubs claim their third straight win with the 3-2 final.
Nico Revenge Game
Nico Hoerner is off to a rough start this season. That said, his heroics in Monday's game cannot be overlooked. Between great defense, incredible base running, and timely hitting, Hoerner was a catalyst in the win.
It's only one game, but that could be the spark that Hoerner needs to get going and help his other teammates pick up for the void left by Seiya Suzuki's injury.
Ben Brown Needs a Rotation Spot
We all know that Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon are making their way back. However, there are some really hard decisions that will need to be made. Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both deserve to stay in the rotation. Kyle Hendricks might be the odd man out for one of the two starters when they return, but Brown has made the case to stay in the rotation as well.
Monday's performance was one for the ages. The youngster only allowed three total baserunners over his six innings of work. Being able to mow through the D-Backs in 84 pitches was impressive. Monday was Ben Brown's "what have you done for me lately" application to stay in the starting rotation.
What's On Tap Next?
The Cubs and Diamondbacks run it back on Tuesday for another 8:40 p.m. CDT first pitch. Kyle Hendricks takes the bump for the Cubbies and LHP Tommy Henry takes the bump for the snakes. Expect Nico Hoerner to lead off against the lefty.
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