Cubs manage just enough offense to win Baez return game

This was a great night to reminisce about old times at Wrigley Field and take a break from the unpleasant present.

The memorable moment was a pregame video tribute to former Cubs shortstop Javy Baez, who returned to the North Side for the time since being traded on July 30, 2021. Of course, the Baez highlight film was a good one.

Modern day wasn't as pleasant. Now playing for the Detroit Tigers, Baez struck out in all four plate appearances, dropping his bating average to .182 on the season. Meanwhile, the Cubs ran a scoreless inning streak to 16 before pulling out a 3-1 victory Tuesday.

Cody Bellinger ended the scoring drought with a 2-run double in the fifth, then Dansby Swanson added a solo homer in the sixth.

Starting pitcher Javier Assad recorded just his second victory since May 15. A key moment came in the fifth inning, when Detroit's Dillon Dingler led off with a triple, then Assad struck out the next three batters. Porter Hodge worked the ninth for his second save.

The announced crowd of 31,119 was the Cubs' smallest since May 8. Without much action on the field, better to focus on reliving the past. Baez was more than happy to reminisce about the glory days of 2016.

“Probably (think about it) every day,” he said before the game. “I've got a tattoo of the trophy. I've still got the ring. I try to take it everywhere, so nobody tries to steal it. It's always there, always on my mind.

“I'm just trying to remember that year. The way we played, we weren't afraid of anybody. We knew we were going to score runs. That's the feeling we need to have here.”

That description fit both dugouts. The Tigers thought they had enough young talent to start making a move toward the playoffs, but entered Tuesday's action with a 61-64 record, a half-game worse than the disappointing Cubs.

Like so many other 2016 Cubs, Baez has struggled to maintain the standard of play set in his glory days.

“I feel young in life and old in baseball,” Baez said. “It hurts, obviously, that I'm not getting results.”

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer lit up when talking about the Baez era.

“I loved watching Javy play here,” Hoyer said. “I thought his fearlessness was his greatest attribute. He's a special player and a special entertainer. I don't like the way this chapter of his career has gone. I have super-fond memories of him.

“We had a really great run with those (2016) guys. For generations, they should be coming back here.”

Of course, Hoyer was the one who traded away Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in a two-day stretch. The glory years ended abruptly, but there's been no reason to second-guess. The Cubs got Pete Crow-Armstrong in return when they traded Baez to the Mets.

“With all those guys, I had personal relationships, and listen, they put a ring on my finger too,” Hoyer said. “Not a fun part of the job, but also, it's the job. Time passes and players playing in the same place for a long time is rare.”

Baez has returned to Chicago several times to play the White Sox, where he is loudly booed. This trip finally felt like a return home.

“Family, it's family,” Baez said. “It's always special to be here. All of my kids were born here, so I can call it home. I grew up with this organization. It feels great.”