Morel, Smyly shine in win over Twins |
MINNEAPOLIS - Throughout the course of an MLB season, there is always a specific stretch that you can point to as a make-or-break stretch. This is arguably that stretch for the Chicago Cubs (19-19), as the next three weeks could ultimately make or break the Cub's season.
Not only did they kick a challenging nine-game road trip at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins (21-18), but the Astors, Phillies, Mets, and Rays are all on the horizon once this series comes to a close. Should the Cubs be remotely close to .500 when this is all done? You have to like their chances during the second half as this team will be tested and find out what they are made of. Looking to start this grueling road trip with a win, the Cubs had to face one of the best in the game as the Twins sent Sonny Gray to the mound. Entering the game, Gray had one of the best ERAs, and that will continue as he allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings to lower that ERA to 1.39. He walked one and struck out nine, but the nine strikeouts did him in, as a high pitch count forced him out of the game sooner than he would have liked. While the Twins were going with their Ace, the Cubs countered with their veteran lefty Drew Smyly who has been on a nice run himself. Unorthodox in terms of his style, Smyly knows what he does well and sticks to the plan from start to finish. Not only did he battle Gray pitch for pitch, but he gave the Cubs six strong innings of two-run, four-strikeout ball as his ERA sits at 3.05. Thankfully, the Cubs offense kicked it into gear late as they managed to take the lead before the pen came in and gave Smyly the win. As expected, the offense was at a premium most of the game, but the Twins struck first as both of their runs came in the second inning. Kyle Farmer opened the frame with a leadoff single before advancing to third on a one-out Ground Rule double. A few pitches later saw Michael A. Taylor ground into fielder's choice, but a run scored to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. Christian Vazquez followed that up with a sacrifice fly, as that was the game's final run for the Twins. Trailing 2-0 and getting dominated by Gray through three, Dansby Swanson started the third by working a leadoff work. That set the tone for the middle of the order, with Ian Happ coming through with a double to put runners on second and third with no outs. One of the biggest issues for the Cubs all season is getting guys home from third, and despite Seiya Suzuki picking up a sacrifice fly to make things 2-1, the Cubs wasted an opportunity to bring home more. At this point in the game, Smyly began to roll as he allowed minimal baserunners the rest of the way and did his part to keep the Cubs close. Unfortunately, Gray was better up to that point, as the Cubs would have to find a way to rally off the Twins bullpen if they wanted this win. That is one area of their game that is often overlooked, as the Cubs have done a great job adding on late, even if the recent results have not shown that. Facing Griffin Jax in the seventh, the bottom third of the Cubs order began to come through, with Patrick Wisdom picking up a one-out single and then racing home on the Matt Mervis double to tie things up 2-2. .@mmervis12 drives in the tying run in the 7th! pic.twitter.com/cQx5ZbbMh3 A Trey Mancini single followed that up to put runners on the corners, while the Yan Gomes single proved to be the game-winner with the Cubs leading 3-2. .@Yan_AGomes knocks in the go-ahead run! pic.twitter.com/KhdxUv5s6R With the Cubs now in front, David Ross could use the bullpen the way he wanted, which started with right-hander Adbert Alzolay who worked a pair of scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner in the process. Alzo-slay. pic.twitter.com/RTiNXA5BmY Hoping to add some significant insurance runs in the ninth, Jorge Alcala was on for his second inning after pitching out of trouble in the eighth. This time around, Alcala wasn't so lucky, as the Cub's offense made sure to pounce on him. Gomes was in the middle of it again with a one-out walk while Christopher Morel unloaded for a long 'oppo-taco' for his second homer of the season as the Cubs took a 5-2 lead. Morel support! pic.twitter.com/YtKbQEJsVu A Swanson walk and the Happ single kept the inning alive, with Cody Bellinger bringing home another run on a sacrifice fly to push the Cubs lead to 6-2. Mark Leiter Jr took care of the rest as the right-hander continued his excellent season with a 1,2,3 ninth to give the Cubs a series-opening win. The Cubs had 11 hits in the game, with Happ leading the way with three. With Nico Hoerner officially on the IL for the next week or so, it will be up to Morel to hold down the leadoff spot, as he picked up two hits and two RBIs.
