New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs Box Score on May 07, 2017

The Sports Xchange
May 8, 2017

CHICAGO -- Aaron Hicks led off the 18th inning with a bunt single and scored on a grounder as the New York Yankees edged the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in a 6-hour, 5-minute game that ended early Monday morning.

By winning the longest-ever interleague game in terms of innings, the Yankees completed a three-game sweep.

The teams combined for a major-league-record 48 strikeouts. The previous record was 43, set by the California Angels and Oakland A's on July 9, 1971, in a 20-inning game.

After he bunted, Hicks advanced on catcher Willson Contreras' throwing error and moved to third on a sacrifice before he scored when Starlin Castro hit a grounder to shortstop Addison Russell, who threw wide of home.

The previous Wrigley Field record was 37 combined strikeouts on May 31, 2003, against Houston. Cubs pitching also recorded its first 20-strikeout game since 2008.

According to STATS, LLC, the game marked the second time in history two teams recorded 20-plus strikeouts. The other time was June 19, 2001, when the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres each had 20 in a 15-inning game.

The Yankees set franchise records for most strikeouts by batters (22) and pitchers (26), and the Cubs set a franchise record for most strikeouts by hitters (26).

Chasen Shreve (1-0) pitched three shutout innings for the win. Pedro Strop (0-2) took the loss.

The Cubs scored three runs in a wild ninth inning to tie the game against their former closer, Aroldis Chapman, who blew a save for the first time since Game 7 of the World Series.

Javier Baez and Albert Almora Jr. hit one-out, RBI singles to pull the Cubs within one after Chapman allowed a leadoff walk and a single. Chapman struck out Kyle Schwarber with runners at second and third before intentionally walking Kris Bryant. Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch to bring in the tying run.

Tyler Clippard replaced Chapman and got Ben Zobrist to ground out to end the inning.

Cubs and Yankees relievers combined for 10 straight strikeouts in the 10th and 11th innings. In the 12th, left fielder Schwarber flew into the stands to make a highlight-worthy catch.

Four Cubs starting pitchers batted. In the 14th, pitcher Jake Arrieta -- who is scheduled to start later Monday in Denver -- struck out as a pinch hitter.

Much earlier, Jacoby Ellsbury homered and Aaron Judge tripled to back up Luis Severino's stellar start.

Ellsbury hit a two-run home run off reliever Justin Grimm in the eighth.

Judge's triple to deep center off Jon Lester put the Yankees ahead in the seventh after third baseman Bryant committed a two-base throwing error.

Severino struck out nine, walked one and gave up four hits and a run in seven innings in his first game against the Cubs.

He matched Lester, who struck out a season-high nine and allowed three hits, two runs (one earned) and two walks in seven innings.

NOTES: The Cubs placed LHP Brett Anderson (lower back strain) on the 10-day disabled list Sunday. With an off day Thursday, the Cubs could go with a four-man rotation. RHP Eddie Butler and LHP Mike Montgomery are possible replacements. ... The Cubs recalled RHP Justin Grimm and INF Tommy La Stella from Triple-A Iowa, and Grimm gave up two runs on two innings. ... Cubs LHP Rob Zastryzny was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. He allowed three runs in four innings Saturday against the Yankees. ... New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury (elbow) returned to the lineup Sunday after not starting the previous four games. ... Yankees 1B Matt Holliday made his first start in the field this season. ... Cubs OF Jason Heyward remained out of the lineup after injuring a knuckle on his right hand making a play Friday.