The Cubs escaped a bases loaded jam in the 12th inning Wednesday and Travis Wood worked a bases loaded walk in the 13th inning that forced in the winning run. The Cubs snapped their two-game losing streak after outlasting the Brewers 2-1 in the five-hour marathon.
The Cubs improved to a Major League best 28-10 on the season and wrap up the series against the Brewers early Thursday afternoon (12:40pm CDT).
Jason Heyward extended his hitting streak to nine games Wednesday with a 1-for-6 night at the plate. Heyward was robbed of another hit earlier in the game as he appears to be squaring up the ball better of late. Heyward smacked his first homer of the season Tuesday.
Over his last 13 games, Heyward has a .250/.339/.327 line with a double and a home run for a .666 OPS. Heyward has been a different hitter on the road than at Wrigley this season. In 15 road games, Heyward has a .286/.384/.381 slash line with a .765 OPS. At home in 20 games, Heyward has hit .189/.294/.216 with a .510 OPS.
Heyward does appear to be warming up with the weather. Heyward’s career numbers show he struggles in April and May before turning it on in June. The numbers Jason Heyward has this season, outside of the slugging percentage, are right in line with what he’s done in his career.
According to Comcast SportsNet, the Cubs believe Jason Heyward’s offense can catch up to his Gold Glove defense. For the season, Heyward is batting
Wednesday’s Post-Game Reports and Recap
Joe Maddon used every available player and it took five hours and 13 innings to complete. The Cubs picked up win No. 28 on the season in a game that started Wednesday and ended early Thursday morning. Here are the post-game reports and a recap for those that missed it …
- CCO – Cubs Escape Miller Park with a Win
- Comcast SportsNet – Travis Wood delivers in the clutch as Cubs outlast Brewers in 13 innings
- The Sun-Times – Travis Wood draws bases-loaded walk to lift Cubs to win in 13th
- ESPN Chicago – Chicago Cubs avoid third straight loss with crazy, extra-inning win
- ESPN Chicago – Travis Wood on crazy Cubs win: ‘It’s either going to be your night or his’
- The Tribune – Cubs enjoy Little League style in 13-inning win over Brewers
Matt Szczur
Matt Szczur was eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday but instead the Cubs decided to stick with the current 25-man roster and sent Szczur on a rehab assignment.
Szczur was set to report to Double-A Tennessee and begin a rehab stint with the Smokies on Thursday.
The Cubs could use Szczur this weekend in the series at AT&T Park. But as of Wednesday afternoon, he will spend time in the minors instead. Joe Maddon did not give a timetable on when he will be ready to rejoin the big league team.
Cubs-Giants Probable Pitchers
The Cubs and Giants posted the starting pitchers for the weekend series at AT&T Park. The Cubs will miss Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. The Giants will have to deal with Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.
The Cubs will see two old foes in Jake Peavy and Matt Cain. And Madison Bumgarner gets the ball on Sunday night in the finale. Has Bumgarner gotten over his issues with the Cubs from Spring Training?
- Friday, May 20 (9:15pm CDT) – Jake Arrieta vs. Jake Peavy
- Saturday, May 21 (6:15pm CDT) – Jon Lester vs. Matt Cain
- Sunday, May 22 (7:05pm CDT) – Kyle Hendricks vs. Madison Bumgarner
Unless weather forces a change, John Lackey will square off against Adam Wainwright on Monday night in St. Louis. Lackey, Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta will start the three games with the Cardinals.
Cubs Updated Start Times – Sunday Games in June
The Cubs announced Wednesday start times for a pair of Sunday games at Wrigley Field that were originally listed as ‘TBD’ on the schedule.
- Sunday, June 5 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – 1:20pm CDT
The Sunday, June 5 game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field will begin at 1:20pm CDT. Comcast SportsNet will televise the game.
- Sunday, June 19 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 7:08pm CDT
The Sunday, June 19 game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field will begin at 7:08pm CDT.
News and Notes
• According to Comcast SportsNet, the Cubs are taking on the force of Anthony Rizzo’s personality.
• Kris Bryant used three different gloves in the 12th inning of Wednesday’s marathon. Bryant started the inning in left field, moved to third base when Joe Maddon went with five infielders after the Brewers loaded the bases with no outs. Bryant switched gloves with Javier Baez when he went from third to first base and he finished the inning back in left field. Bryant said after the game he would remember the game for a very long time.
• And at the plate, Kris Bryant went 2-for-5 with a walk and he’s batting .278/.359/.482 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and a .842 OPS this season.
• Addison Russell attempted a bunt early in Wednesday’s game that had many wondering what was the Cubs’ shortstop thinking. As it turns out, Russell did what his manager asked him to do. Russell stepped to the plate in the second inning with runners on second and third following a Ben Zobrist single and a Tommy La Stella double. Russell popped a bunt up toward first base that Chris Carter caught for the second out. David Ross was intentionally walked and John Lackey struck out swinging … no runs for the Cubs. Maddon admitted after the marathon the bunt was on him. Maddon called for the bunt.
• Clayton Richard picked up the save in Wednesday’s win, the first save of his big league career.
• Ryan Braun to the Cubs? Just a story in search of some substance according to Paul Sullivan.
• According to the Tribune, Austin Jackson sees similarities between White Sox, Cubs work ethics.
And last, but not least, Joe Maddon has a new T-shirt … ‘If You Look Hot Wear It.’
This Day in Cubstory
2015 – Cubs traded Welington Castillo to the Mariners for Yoervis Medina
2012 – Kerry Wood voluntarily retired from the Cubs
2012 – Cubs purchased Koyie Hill from the Reds
2004 – Cubs released Ariel Prieto
2002 – Fred McGriff tied Ellis Burks’ record of homering in 40 different Major League ballparks when he hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning at Miller Park that tied the game at three. The Cubs beat the Brewers 4-3 in 11 innings.
2001 – Cubs signed free agent Ron Mahay
1973 – Cubs traded Joe Pepitone to the Braves for Andre Thornton
1972 – Scott McClain, born
1970 – Cubs traded Garry Jestadt to the Padres for Chris Cannizzaro
1967 – Turk Wendell, born
1960 – Cubs traded Art Ceccarelli to the Yankees for Mark Freeman
1959 – Cubs traded Chick King to the Cardinals for Irv Noren
1956 – Luis Salazar, born
1942 – The St. Louis Browns returned Babe Dahlgren to the Cubs after he failed to hit in two pinch-hit at bats. The Brooklyn Dodgers purchased Babe Dahlgren from the Cubs.
1941 – Cubs pitcher Claude Passeau hit a grand slam off of Hugh Casey and the Cubs scored nine runs in the second inning in route to a 14-1 win over the Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Brooklyn manager, Leo Durocher protested the game by claiming the Cubs were over the 25-man roster limit. The protest was tossed out but the Cubs were fined for $500 for the infraction. The Dodgers also protested the mound at Wrigley was several inches over the 15 inch height allowed. At the suggestion of the umpires, Hugh Casey pitched from several inches in front of the mound.
1928 – Cubs won their 13th game in a row as they edged the Braves 3-2 at Wrigley Field on a Charlie Root sacrifice fly. Hack Wilson homered in the victory. The winning streak would come to an end the next day.