The optics weren’t good. The Cubs’ bullpen had blown a three-run lead, and the sport was tied within the eighth inning. However the Cubs additionally had managed to load the bases. And Dansby Swanson was up.
“It’s really easy to attempt to do extra,” Swanson mentioned after the Cubs’ 10-6 victory in opposition to the Rangers on Tuesday. “Much less is extra in these conditions. And I perceive that we’re within the driver’s seat, and simply something little and easy can get the job finished.”
Swanson managed to get his palms via an inside pitch and despatched it into proper discipline, driving in two runs. The offense, which has shone early within the season, continued to tack on to safe the sequence win with back-to-back victories.
“Simply the consistency and the intent has been so super from our group,” Swanson mentioned. “Not taking at-bats off, it doesn’t matter what the rating is, it doesn’t matter what the state of affairs is, simply trying to do a job, being intentional about operating the bases. All these issues are enormous, and I feel that has simply proven what it takes for this group to be good. And we’ve finished that thus far all through this 12 months, and it’s been a pleasure to be part of.”
Even earlier than the game-clinching rally, the offense had continued a robust homestand, overcoming frigid circumstances.
Swanson, who completed the night time with 4 RBI, bought the scoring began on a solo dwelling run within the second. Seiya Suzuki had successful in every of his first three at-bats. And after Tucker had a pair of lengthy fly balls caught on the warning monitor, he broke via with a single and a double in back-to-back innings.
“Our lineup simply feels actually deep proper now,” mentioned beginning pitcher Jameson Taillon, who restricted the Rangers to a few runs in six innings. “We’ve seen lots of pitches, we’re transferring guys over, getting guys in. It’s a great model of baseball we’re enjoying. After which on an evening like tonight, too, it’s good that they’re having lengthy innings, so it simply let me heat up and get within the tunnel and regroup just a little bit.”
All of that amounted to a 6-3 lead when Taillon handed the ball to the bullpen — even after a missed alternative so as to add an insurance coverage run within the sixth. Suzuki slowed rounding second and needed to cease at third on Kyle Tucker’s two-out double.
In a short time, the Cubs’ lead fell into -jeopardy.
Reliever Julian Merryweather confronted 5 batters and gave up two runs. Setup man Porter Hodge took over for him to get the final out of the inning. However the subsequent inning, Hodge gave up a game-tying triple down the right-field line to Josh Jung.
However the Cubs had one other push in them. Ian Happ and Jon Berti reached on errors, and in between, Tucker drew an intentional stroll, loading the bases for Swanson. After Swanson put the Cubs forward, a double steal gave them two runners in scoring place. With two outs, Pete Crow-Armstrong despatched a line drive into left discipline, his third hit of the sport, driving in two runs earlier than he was caught between first and second.
That gave nearer Ryan Pressly a little bit of a cushion, however he didn’t want it. And eventually, the Cubs followers who had braved the chilly temperatures to the tip might breathe a frosty sigh of aid.
“It’s been an awesome begin for us as a gaggle,” Swanson mentioned. “And we’re wanting ahead to persevering with the roll we’re on.”
