Kyle Tucker hit his first Wrigley Area dwelling run, a two-run drive to proper area within the second inning that gave the Cubs a 7-3 lead.
“It was good,” Tucker stated of the house run off the Padres’ Logan Gillaspie. “Clearly, I might relatively end with a win, however I really feel comfy up there. Placing collectively some good at-bats, making an attempt to sq. up the ball as a lot as I can.”
Tucker did that Sunday regardless of one other chilly day at Wrigley Area, a stark departure from his former dwelling in Houston that got here with a retractable roof in a a lot totally different local weather. The official game-time temperature was 44 levels, with the wind blowing in from the northeast at 4 mph.
Like all participant becoming a member of the Cubs ought to, Tucker knew the situations might be tough early – and possibly late – within the 12 months simply blocks from Lake Michigan. Due to some further layers for heat, Tucker was in a position to play with out the climate impeding his efficiency and turned in his fourth multi-hit sport of the 12 months.
“It’s powerful, however on the similar time you already know no matter how chilly or heat it’s, you’ve nonetheless obtained to go on the market and play and carry out,” Tucker stated. “It obtained colder all through the sport, however in the event you hold the identical mentality that you just’ve simply obtained to go on the market and have a extremely good at-bat and play good protection and deal with it such as you’ve obtained to carry out it doesn’t matter what.”
Honoring ‘Otis’
Throughout a pregame ceremony, the Cubs unveiled a locker room plaque in honor of Tom “Otis” Hellmann, who died Jan. 31, 2024. Hellman, who was approaching his forty second season with the Cubs previous to his dying, served because the group’s clubhouse supervisor for 23 years earlier than taking an emeritus position in 2023.
Counsell stated Hellmann was somebody who served the Cubs group “in a really very significant manner.”
“Somebody like Otis is right here to help all of us,” Counsell stated. “They do it quietly and behind the scenes and with out a lot fanfare. To all people they help they’re really vital individuals and particular individuals. They make us look good, they make our lives simpler and so they serve.”
Assad replace
Pitcher Javier Assad (left indirect pressure) threw in an prolonged spring coaching sport Friday in Arizona and Counsell stated he’s doing nicely. Assad’s subsequent look will likely be in Arizona, and if that goes as deliberate he will likely be despatched on a rehab project.
“Every part’s trending in a very good route,” Counsell stated.
Goose watch
A small part of seats atop the center-field bleachers was blocked off to followers. The explanation: a goose nesting in a close-by juniper planter.
“On the Pleasant Confines, we really imply it once we say everybody’s welcome, together with the goose and her nest who took up residence within the bleachers,” the Cubs stated in a press release. “We’re giving her the area she wants whereas we’ve been working intently with a wildlife group to handle the scenario safely and responsibly, in full accordance with state legislation. Within the meantime, we have now blocked off the world to followers. Defending our followers, and our feathered visitor, is our prime precedence.”
