After two straight rough days in San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs were able to get out of town on a positive note Wednesday as they beat the Giants at Oracle Park.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, the victory didn’t come easy. Third baseman Kris Bryant left the game in the fifth inning with soreness in his right knee, and Anthony Rizzo was ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes.
Despite those setbacks, as well as starter Jon Lester being scratched from the game due to illness, the Cubs still managed to emerge triumphant thanks to a strong pitching performance from some unexpected sources.
Tyler Chatwood gave up one earned run in four innings after getting the unexpected start, striking out five batters and giving up four hits. The rest of the bullpen combined for five scoreless innings, with Kyle Ryan striking out three batters and Craig Kimbrel picking up the save in the ninth inning.
In the spacious environs of Oracle Park, the Cubs’ bats were up to the task as well, with three different players blasting home runs. Javier Báez hit his 25th of the season in the first inning, and Bryant hit his 21st in the third. Albert Almora Jr. got in on the fun by hitting his 10th home run of the year in the fourth inning, and that was all the offense the Cubs needed in the victory.
Stephen Vogt had the lone RBI of the game for the Giants, who won two of the three games in the series.
The Cubs will have a day off before heading to Milwaukee for a critical three-game series against the Brewers beginning on Friday night at Miller Park.
