The Chicago Cubs out-pitched the Pittsburgh Pirates in Friday night’s series opener, winning 3-2 in extra innings, but they might have also gotten some help from the umpires. Dansby Swanson’s go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning went to video review, as Ian Happ’s slide at home plate was called safe, but the Pirates disagreed.
And well, let’s just say the Cubs got a break here because it really does look like when Happ slides, his left foot doesn’t touch the plate, and before his right knee touches the corner of the plate, he’s tagged by Pirates’ catcher Henry Davis.
The call stood, the Cubs went ahead 2-1, and then Pete Crow-Armstrong was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Seiya Suzuki then walked on four straight pitches that were out of the strike zone, and that ended up being the difference-maker, as the Pirates did score one run in the bottom of the 10th.
If Happ was ruled out, then the Cubs would have gone into the bottom half of the 10th still tied, instead of leading.
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Still, it’s not like the Pirates didn’t have their chances against the Cubs, including in extra innings, when they began with a bunt despite trailing by two runs. The Pirates were only 3-for-11 hitting with runners in scoring position against the Cubs.
The biggest change of momentum came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Pirates had already scored one run and had the bases loaded with no outs against Matthew Boyd. The Cubs’ lefty was able to escape without any further damage, and then in the next half-inning, Crow-Armstrong tied the game with his 22nd home run of the season.
The Cubs’ defense was also excellent once again. Nico Hoerner not only saved a run with an outstanding diving play in the third inning, but the infielder also got the final out of the inning, as Pittsburgh’s base runner thought the ball got through into the outfield and was caught between third and home.
Then, in the seventh inning, Happ nailed Davis at home for an inning-ending double play.
A big win for the Cubs, who have to face Paul Skenes on Saturday. The Cubs are now 5.5 games ahead of the Pirates in the standings.
The bullpen was great, as Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar, and Gavin Hollowell followed Boyd’s seven innings of one-run ball to lock down the victory on Friday night.
