And Javier Báez was welcomed back to Wrigley Field.
Many in the announced Wrigley Field crowd of 31,119 Tuesday evening had come to pay tribute to 2016 World Series star Javier Báez on his first return to the ballpark since he was traded in the big selloff of summer 2021.
So let’s begin with that:
And then Javy went and struck out all four times he came to the plate, including one to end the game as the Cubs defeated the Tigers 3-1 on a coolish evening that served as a reminder that September is closer than you think.
The Tigers have taken to using an opener for most games recently, so reliever Alex Faedo began and retired five of the seven Cubs he faced before “bulk guy” Bryan Sammons took over in the second inning. The Cubs got a runner to second with two out in the first inning, but Isaac Paredes popped up to end the threat.
Javier Assad was touched up for a run in the second on three straight singles, but ended that frame with no further damage, including Javy’s first K on a pitch that we’d likely seen him K dozens of times — low and out of the zone.
Sammons allowed a couple of baserunners in the third, but again the Cubs failed with RISP. Credit to Detroit right fielder Matt Vierling for this slick catch for one of those outs [VIDEO].
Assad then allowed a hit with one out in the top of the fourth, but this slick double play got him out of the inning [VIDEO].
Assad gave up a leadoff triple to Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler in the fifth, but then struck out the next three hitters.
Then the Cubs finally broke through in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Ian Happ walked and Michael Busch singled. Seiya Suzuki struck out, but then Cody Bellinger doubled in both runners [VIDEO].
Not sure what Bellinger was thinking there as he got caught trying to take third, but the Cubs had a 2-1 lead.
Assad came very close to finishing six innings. With two out in the sixth a funny-hop grounder glanced off Nico Hoerner’s glove for a hit, and at 95 pitches Assad was removed to warm applause. It was a good outing for Assad, who walked the first hitter he faced — and no one else. He struck out seven [VIDEO].
Here’s a summary of Assad’s start [VIDEO].
He mixed his pitches well and even though his strike percentage was a bit low (59 of 95 pitches, 62 percent), he was effective throughout, helped by his defense, as noted above.
Tyson Miller got the last out of the sixth after allowing a single, and then the Cubs extended the lead in the bottom of the inning. With two out, Dansby Swanson got hold of one [VIDEO].
That was Swanson’s 10th of the year — but first since July 11 at Baltimore, a span of 121 plate appearances. Swanson has hit the ball better in August — .302/.356/.453 in 53 at-bats — so hopefully that continues.
Miller threw a 1-2-3 seventh, and Drew Smyly a scoreless eighth with three strikeouts.
Then, with Hector Neris released and no longer on the team, the question was: Who will close games?
On this night, it was Porter Hodge given the save opportunity. He gave up a leadoff double to Spencer Torkelson and then recorded a strikeout and pop fly out.
That brought up Báez. And he K’d for the fourth time — again, on one of those outside sliders he could never learn to lay off [VIDEO].
Here are Craig Counsell’s postgame comments [VIDEO].
(A reminder that when he says “Javy” he’s talking about Assad, not Báez.)
The Cubs did a good job at getting out of jams in this game. You think the Cubs have trouble with RISP? The Tigers went 1-for-13 with RISP in this game; the only hit in that situation produced their only run.
The Cubs remained 5½ games behind the Braves for the third wild-card spot as Atlanta defeated Philadelphia. But the Cubs did move ahead of the Cardinals into second place in the NL Central when St. Louis lost to Milwaukee. More on that from BCB’s JohnW53:
The Cubs are in second place in the division for the first time since June 12, when they were 33-35 following a 4-3 win at Tampa Bay. Tuesday’s game was their 58th since then and they are 29-29 in those 58 games.
For the season, they have been first after five games, most recently on May 8; second after 42 games; third after 22; fourth after 22; and last after 35.
The Cubs have won three of four on this homestand and will go for two in a row over the Tigers Wednesday evening. Jameson Taillon will start for the Cubs. Again, the Tigers have no one listed and are likely going with an opener again. While they have made no announcement, Beau Briske appears to be the likely opener, followed by “bulk guy” Kenta Maeda. Heck of a way to run a baseball team, A.J. Hinch. Game time tonight is 7:05 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
