Cubs bombard Giants with homers in series finale

Three separate Cubs hit home runs to lead Chicago to an impressive 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

by Colin Halm - Correspondent - Thu May 25 17:24:03 GMT-05:00 2017

CHICAGO -- Eddie Butler (2-0, 1.93 ERA) put up yet another stellar performance proving to be a stable back-of-the-rotation arm in his 5-1 win over the Giants today. The Cubs score all of their runs on solo home runs from Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist during the game.

After the solo home runs, the Cubs loaded the bases in the eighth inning for Jason Heyward. Giants’ reliever Josh Osich bounced in the very first pitch of the at-bat which skipped away from catcher Buster Posey. Bryant scored on the wild pitch, but Posey’s throw to Osich went all the way down to second baseman Joe Panik, who barely missed getting Anthony Rizzo out at the plate, making the score 5-1.

Butler has certainly benefitted in a change of scenery. He posted a 1.17 ERA in five games as a starter in AAA ball and has excelled here in the majors in three games. Today’s start was shortened due to his efficiency on the mound as he threw just 69 pitches, 41 for strikes, over five innings of work.

Mike Montgomery completed the very rare four inning save when he relieved Butler in the sixth. It is Montgomery’s first career regular season save. His first career save came in Game 7 of the World Series last year.

Despite not doing much with the bat today, Ian Happ continues to be a contributor in the field with two diving catches in center field. Although he has not started any game at his second base (his natural position), Happ has proved he can be the Zobrist-like Swiss Army knife in the field.

Jason Heyward has also been a steady bat in the lineup over the past few games. He homered again today claiming his fifth of the year. In 79 games last year before the All-Star break , Heyward only had four home runs.

Tomorrow’s game will feature Jake Arrieta (5-3, 4.80 ERA) against the Dodgers’ Alex Wood (5-0, 1.88 ERA). The Cubs have enjoyed a hot streak of late winning seven of their last nine games. Hopefully, they keep that going into LA.

Five innings of one-run ball for @Butler4Life!@MikeMontgum22 takes over in the 6th with a 2-1 lead. https://t.co/Yb19qUCiGS pic.twitter.com/CVL10Txtti
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 25, 2017

Watch some more dingers!

J-Hey: https://t.co/TcuP0LU01W @benzobrist18: https://t.co/11Iy3W1yRn pic.twitter.com/KDLZGwkf6u
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 25, 2017