Another WHEW kind of ending, with the Cubs hanging on to win.
Both teams threatened in the first, but, while Colin Rea was able to pitch out of it, Zac Gallen gave up a two-run single to Michael Busch (grounder that found a hole) and another run-scoring “single” to Carson Kelly (Alek Thomas and Ildemaro Vargas converged on a pop up, but neither even called for the ball as it fell to the grass). It was a good omen for the middle of the game, because the Cubs added from there on Gallen (juuuuust enough), while Rea continued to pitch around most of the trouble that arose.
Things got dicey with Ryan Rolison following Rea (though he was not helped by a poor Alex Bregman decision, letting a bunt go by that turned into a key double), but huge kudos to the rest of the bullpen for stepping up. It’s a MASH unit, but Phil Maton and Jacob Webb got it done today.
The Ankin Law “Making it Personal” Player of the Game may well be Webb for finishing out a one-run win with two solid innings of work. But you have to tip your cap to old friend Ildemaro Vargas for a perfect day at the plate.
The big news from the game, by the way, was Nico Hoerner’s departure with a neck issue that hopefully proves to be very minor.
Full Box Score.
