Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 3 - July 5, 2023
I cannot believe the Cubs blew my mind for the second game in a row. I’m in shock right now, and I can’t wait to think about the implications of winning again tomorrow …
So, the Cubs went into the 9th inning down a couple runs, not able to get much going offensively outside of an early Ian Happ RBI. With Devin Williams coming on to save it, you just think the game is over.
But the Cubs put two on – blooper and a cue shot – and Mike Tauchman BATTLED, and came through with a two-run double to tie the game. I couldn’t breathe.
THEN Nico Hoerner bounced one to third, and Brian Anderson biffed the throw. Tauchman just kept on running and scored from second to give the Cubs the lead.
And then Adbert Alzolay, touching 98 mph because he was JACKED UP, finished things off. Cubs win. Somehow, Cubs win. Again. Holy crap.
Props to Justin Steele on notching a quality start despite not quite being at his sharpest, and then to Michael Rucker for a couple scoreless innings to keep the Cubs close enough for that 9th to matter.
Now you just hope Dansby Swanson’s heel is OK, and Marcus Stroman rocks the Brewers to sleep tomorrow.
It’s no longer a key part of the game, but I have to comment on the umpiring, because it was once again atrocious.
The Cubs had a GOLDEN scoring opportunity in the 5th inning, with the bases loaded and one out for Swanson. Pitch one to him was six inches off the plate, called a strike. Truly a terrible, TERRIBLE call in a series full of them. Swanson couldn’t believe it. Next pitch was down out of the zone, Swanson swings and grounds into a double-play to end the inning. Who knows what happens if that first pitch is called the OBVIOUS BALL it was. Screwing up a very close call doesn’t get me hot. But a pitch like that? In a huge spot? And it was NOWHERE CLOSE?!
It was hardly the only blown call on the night, either. The ump scorecard is going to be ugly, and I GUARANTEE it’s going to have swung some runs in the Brewers’ favor. This crew has been atrocious all series, and I definitely can see why David Ross let the profanities fly yesterday. I’m just sick of them.
Yet the Cubs found a way to overcome. That has to MEAN SOMETHING. I certainly WANT IT to mean something.
Full box score.
Source: bleachernation.com
