It wasnt simply the huge blown lead, its how it got there. They had to get through a couple extra innings situations to make it take place, but they did it. Ian Happ came through with the game-winning hit, Jeremy Jeffress got the save, and all is well.
OK. The other stuff.
The Cubs coulda made the number a lot more misaligned early on, but 6 runs through the first 5 innings usually puts you in a respectable location. However as Jon Lester got some best of luck early on with tough contact allowed, by the 5th they began discovering turf. In the blink of an eye, a 6-1 video game became a 6-4 video game, and Lester was pulled (a batter or two too late) with the connecting work on 2nd base and one out.
Colin Rea came in to leave the inning (sac fly allowed), with a big assist from Ian Happ:
Again, great on the Cubs bats for putting together enough to score in the 10th and 11th and provide themselves a chance.
The scored stayed 6-5 through an hour-long rain delay prior to the bottom of the 8th. Dan Winkler got the ball after the game resumed, and immediately quit a game-tying crowning achievement to rookie KeBryan Hayes, making his major league launching. Good for him, I guess.
Why was Winkler getting the 8th in that scenario, with a rested Rowan Wick, Ryan Tepera, and Jeremy Jeffress in the bullpen? I indicate, Wick came into that really same inning after the video game was connected, so …? He was sluggish to pull Lester and I dont get the option of Winkler there.
… and after that Ross left Osich in for the 10th inning after the Cubs scored in their half of the frame. He got the first out, a lefty, on a grounder. Fine. However then hes there to face a righty, with the connecting run at 3rd, when you absolutely need a strikeout? I do not get it. Naturally, game gets tied on a bouncer back to Osich. And THEN Jeffress came in. None of that is on Osich, mind you, who did everything he might except get the strikeout (hes at simply 17.8% K rate against righties in his career … ). It was strange.
Dan Winkler got the ball after the video game resumed, and instantly gave up a game-tying house run to rookie KeBryan Hayes, making his big league launching. Why was Winkler getting the 8th in that scenario, with a rested Rowan Wick, Ryan Tepera, and Jeremy Jeffress in the bullpen? Naturally, game gets tied on a bouncer back to Osich.
They had to get through a couple additional innings circumstances to make it occur, but they did it. Ian Happ came through with the game-winning hit, Jeremy Jeffress got the conserve, and all is well.
Full box score.
Mind the Happ. pic.twitter.com/C8LBSJpqmn
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 2, 2020
