Cubs rally past Blue Jays in 10 innings
The Sports Xchange
Aug 20, 2017
CHICAGO -- Alex Avila singled in two runs to cap a three-run 10th-inning rally and lead the Chicago Cubs past the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Sunday.
The Cubs rebounded after Toronto had scored twice in the top the 10th to win their sixth in their last eight games.
Avila lined a hit to right with the bases loaded off Roberto Osuna (3-4) to drive in Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez. The Cubs had cut it to 5-4 when Kyle Schwarber came home from third on wild pitch.
Osuna blew his eighth save in 41 chances.
Kevin Pillar singled in a run, then Norichika Aoki walked with the bases loaded in the top of the 10th to put Toronto ahead 5-3. Justin Wilson (4-4) entered and walked in Ryan Goins and Aoki to force in another run.
Chicago's Albert Almora Jr. drove in three runs with a double in the third inning.
Former Cub Miguel Montero hit a solo shot in sixth inning to tie at 3 and added a double. Jose Bautista also drove in a run for Toronto, which was swept in its first visit to Wrigley Field since 2005.
The Blue Jays acquired Montero from the Cubs on July 3, six days after the veteran catcher blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in a loss to Washington and was designated for assignment.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed three runs and struck out six in six innings. The righty couldn't protect Chicago's early 3-0 lead and ended up with his fifth no-decision in six starts since returning from right-hand tendinitis on July 24.
Hendricks hasn't won since May 24 versus San Francisco.
Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada also allowed three runs in six innings in a no-decision. Estrada is 1-6 with eight no-decisions in his last 15 starts.
Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson made his first career start at shortstop, Bautista was at third base and Ezequiel Carrera moved into right field as manager John Gibbons shuffled his lineup.
Donaldson moved from third to short late in the opening two games of the series. His only other major league experience at the position was one inning for Oakland in 2013.
Catcher Rene Rivera, claimed by the Cubs off waivers Saturday from the New York Mets, started behind the plate on Sunday. He singled and scored a run.
The Cubs loaded the bases with none out to start the third, then Almora cleared them with a soft double down the left field line.
The Jays trimmed to 3-1 in the fourth when Justin Smoak led off with a double and Bautista singled him home. Toronto narrowed it to 3-2 in the fifth after Aoki doubled to lead off, then scored from third as Carrera grounded into a double play.
Montero's solo shot to left center off Hendricks in the sixth tied it 3-all.
NOTES: RHP Koji Uehara, the fifth of six Chicago relievers, returned from a stint on the disabled list with a neck strain on Sunday. The Cubs optioned LHP Rob Zastryzny and C Victor Caratini to Triple-A Iowa. ... C Rene Rivera's the second veteran backstop acquired by Chicago in less than a month and will help while No. 1 C Willson Contreras (right hamstring strain) recovers. C Alex Avila was acquired from Detroit with LHP Justin Wilson at the trade deadline on the July 31. ... Toronto RHP Joe Biagini may be recalled soon from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was sent in early August to get "stretched out" and work on longer outings to become a starter.
Aug 20, 2017
CHICAGO -- Alex Avila singled in two runs to cap a three-run 10th-inning rally and lead the Chicago Cubs past the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Sunday.
The Cubs rebounded after Toronto had scored twice in the top the 10th to win their sixth in their last eight games.
Avila lined a hit to right with the bases loaded off Roberto Osuna (3-4) to drive in Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez. The Cubs had cut it to 5-4 when Kyle Schwarber came home from third on wild pitch.
Osuna blew his eighth save in 41 chances.
Kevin Pillar singled in a run, then Norichika Aoki walked with the bases loaded in the top of the 10th to put Toronto ahead 5-3. Justin Wilson (4-4) entered and walked in Ryan Goins and Aoki to force in another run.
Chicago's Albert Almora Jr. drove in three runs with a double in the third inning.
Former Cub Miguel Montero hit a solo shot in sixth inning to tie at 3 and added a double. Jose Bautista also drove in a run for Toronto, which was swept in its first visit to Wrigley Field since 2005.
The Blue Jays acquired Montero from the Cubs on July 3, six days after the veteran catcher blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in a loss to Washington and was designated for assignment.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed three runs and struck out six in six innings. The righty couldn't protect Chicago's early 3-0 lead and ended up with his fifth no-decision in six starts since returning from right-hand tendinitis on July 24.
Hendricks hasn't won since May 24 versus San Francisco.
Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada also allowed three runs in six innings in a no-decision. Estrada is 1-6 with eight no-decisions in his last 15 starts.
Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson made his first career start at shortstop, Bautista was at third base and Ezequiel Carrera moved into right field as manager John Gibbons shuffled his lineup.
Donaldson moved from third to short late in the opening two games of the series. His only other major league experience at the position was one inning for Oakland in 2013.
Catcher Rene Rivera, claimed by the Cubs off waivers Saturday from the New York Mets, started behind the plate on Sunday. He singled and scored a run.
The Cubs loaded the bases with none out to start the third, then Almora cleared them with a soft double down the left field line.
The Jays trimmed to 3-1 in the fourth when Justin Smoak led off with a double and Bautista singled him home. Toronto narrowed it to 3-2 in the fifth after Aoki doubled to lead off, then scored from third as Carrera grounded into a double play.
Montero's solo shot to left center off Hendricks in the sixth tied it 3-all.
NOTES: RHP Koji Uehara, the fifth of six Chicago relievers, returned from a stint on the disabled list with a neck strain on Sunday. The Cubs optioned LHP Rob Zastryzny and C Victor Caratini to Triple-A Iowa. ... C Rene Rivera's the second veteran backstop acquired by Chicago in less than a month and will help while No. 1 C Willson Contreras (right hamstring strain) recovers. C Alex Avila was acquired from Detroit with LHP Justin Wilson at the trade deadline on the July 31. ... Toronto RHP Joe Biagini may be recalled soon from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was sent in early August to get "stretched out" and work on longer outings to become a starter.
