What You Need to Know: I hope you brought your dancing shoes to this one, because the Cubs Hit Parade continued today, knocking Lance Lynn out of the game in a second inning that included a Jon Lester three-run shot to center and three consecutive RBI doubles by Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez, and Kyle Schwarber. Ian Happ added his 10th home run of the season in the fifth. The wind howling out to center meant that even the 8-1 lead they built against Lynn wasn’t truly safe, however. The Twins would narrow the lead to one run in the eighth inning and strand the tying run in scoring position in the ninth.
The Cubs have now won four in a row, scoring at least ten runs in each game. After Milwaukee’s loss today at Cincinnati, they stand only a half-game back in the Central.
Next Level: Cubs relief prospect Dillon Maples was called up today when Brian Duensing was placed on the 10-day DL. When he’s on, Maples has racked up Ks at Triple-A—but he’s also struggled at times with his command.
Maples made his big league debut last week with two scoreless innings against the Dodgers. Today’s outing wasn’t so successful. He entered the game in the eighth inning and retired the first two batters, flashing 97 on his fastball. Maples wouldn’t record another out, however, giving up a double, walk, single, triple, and a home run, for five runs, all earned.
Perhaps most egregiously, Maples threw a 3-2 cement mixer slider to Mitch Garver while the Cubs had an 11-8 lead and an open base on which to put the Twins catcher. Garver mashed the ball into the left-field bleachers, however, as Maples failed to bury the ball and get a whiff, and the game became much more tense. If he’s going to be a part of the bullpen going forward, Maples must improve his command.
Top WPA Play: In the bottom of the second inning, Lester came to the plate with Schwarber and Addison Russell on base and slugged his second career home run, a go-ahead shot that left his bat (according to the in-game report on WGN) at more than 102 mph (+.242).
Bottom WPA play: In the top of the eighth inning, Garver capped off Minnesota’s late rally with a two-run homer, his third of the season (-.110).
Up Next: The Cubs are off tomorrow, a well-earned sabbatical they’ll hopefully spend sitting in the air conditioned confines of Wrigley Field.
Lead photo courtesy @Cubs