Observations: Wisdom’s big swing propels Cubs over Rockies originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
It looked like Patrick Wisdom's fly ball in the fifth inning had a chance to leave the ballpark for a grand slam.
The blast stayed in the park, but the Cubs scored three runs on an eventful sequence, which turned out to be the difference in a 3-2 win over the Rockies.
Here are 10 observations from the game.
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1. A near circus catch by Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia turned fortuitous for the Cubs. Tapia made a leaping try but didn’t hold on to Wisdom’s fly ball at the fence. The double cleared the bases and put the Cubs ahead 3-2.
2. Wisdom will be in the lineup every day the next two months after last week’s trades and may factor into the NL Rookie of the Year race. His 16 home runs are first among NL rookies. His 32 RBIs are tied for sixth, 13 off the lead.
He went 3-for-4 Wednesday, part of a 12-for-30 (.400) stretch over his last nine games
3. The Rockies offense wasted no time getting on the board in the first. Four of their first six batters tallied hits, including back-to-back doubles to start the game, amounting to two runs off Alec Mills.
4. Mills settled in after the first, scattering four more hits over his final five innings without allowing a run, for his second straight quality start. In 10 starts this season, Mills hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs.
5. As the Cubs turn their focus to 2022, Mills is making a strong case to be in next season’s rotation plans. In those nine starts (45 2/3 innings), he holds a 3.55 ERA.
6. Codi Heuer's "perfect" start to his Cubs tenure continued with a scoreless eighth. Heuer hasn't allowed a run in three appearances since coming over from the White Sox in the Craig Kimbrel trade.
David Ross has used Heuer in high-leverage spots in the eighth inning all three times.
7. Ross said last week he wasn't going to name a closer and went to Manny Rodríguez for the save in the ninth. Rodríguez, making his third career appearance, allowed a single but shut the door for his first career save.
Ross went to Kyle Ryan for the save Saturday, the only other final-inning save opportunity for the Cubs since trading Kimbrel.
8. Heuer induced an inning-ending double play in the eighth, one of four double plays the Cubs turned — a single-game high this season. Three were on the infield, and left fielder Johneshwy Fargas teamed up with Wisdom for a 7-5 putout on a flyout in the fourth.
9. With Anthony Rizzo off making history with the Yankees, Frank Schwindel got his second straight start at first base and tallied a hit for the second straight game, singling in the fourth. He walked in the eighth.
10. The Cubs improved to 2-4 since the trade deadline, both wins coming in the middle of a three-game series.
On deck: First pitch Wednesday is 2:10 p.m. CT as the Cubs go for the series split. Jake Arrieta (5-10, 6.20 ERA) is the Cubs’ probable starter. Colorado’s is TBD.
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