Nico Hoerner might still be smiling after scoring the game-winning run in Tuesday night’s 5-4 walk-off win at Wrigley Field over the Marlins. The Cubs stormed back in the ninth inning against Marlins’ reliever Jesus Tinoco, scoring three runs after the offense was quiet most of night.
The comeback win was capped off Justin Turner’s first extra-base hit of the season, doubling down the left-field line that scored Vidal Bruján and Hoerner, who raced around from first base to win it for the Cubs.
Hoerner was smiling and yelling before he even rounded third base and had a giant grin on his face as he ran home. What a way to cap off a birthday!
The Cubs second baseman singled earlier in the ninth with runners at first and third, cutting Miami’s lead to 4-3 before Turner’s walk-off double.
And how about Turner? The veteran hitter was brought into this club to be a steady presence in a backup role and as we noted above it took him until May 13, to record his first extra base hit. The 40-year-old is only slashing .169/.292/.186, in 72 plate appearances. However, Turner has actually been awesome with runners in scoring position.
Turner is now 7-for-13 with RISP and with two sac-flies he’s recorded 9 RBI in those situations. You take into account the walks and a HBP, Turner has reached base or come through with an RBI in 16-of-22 plate appearances with RISP. Incredible.
So hey, at the very least Turner is coming through when men on base.
After losing back-to-back series for the first time this season the Cubs have been able to get back on track against the Marlins. The series against Miami starts a 21-game stretch in which the Cubs play against teams below .500. Currently at 25-18, the Cubs have a great opportunity to rack up wins in the softest portion of their schedule.
