Tigers' late rally beats Chicago Cubs
The Cubs came “home” Tuesday to a little national exposure.
Bob Costas rolled into manager Joe Maddon's office before the Cubs' game against the Detroit Tigers, as MLB Network was getting set to telecast this one nationally.
After taking two of three from the White Sox on the South Side, the Cubs were preparing for baseball's annual stretch drive, and they were doing it by sitting in a playoff spot in the National League.
Just over an hour into the game, light rains turned heavy and caused a delay with the Tigers leading the Cubs 5-2 in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers touched Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel for 3 home runs. Play resumed after a delay of 2 hours and 17 minutes, and the Tigers went ahead 6-2 in the fourth.
Even though the Cubs lost the game 10-8, there were some late-night fireworks by rookie Kyle Schwarber. His 3-run homer in the fifth brought the Cubs within a run.
Anthony Rizzo tied the game at 6-6 with a two-out RBI single in the seventh. But the Tigers scored 3 runs in the top of the eighth against Pedro Strop to go ahead for good. The game ended at 1 a.m. Wednesday.
With Maddon at the helm, things have been pretty serene, even with a bunch of young players on the roster.
The manager likes it that way.
“I hope we continue doing the same thing,” Maddon said. “I don't want anybody to change anything right now. There's nothing to change, I don't think. Win Tuesday's game. Then move on to Wednesday. I promise you, I mean this sincerely: There's nothing I would change about our guys right now.
“I think some have met adversity and fought through it. Others have been there, done that before and understand how to do it.
“Our biggest concern is always the bullpen. I don't think the bullpen's been crazily overused. Getting Jason Hammel back on track is going to be a big part of moving forward. I'm happy with everything. I can't bemoan anything. The group itself is wonderful. They support each other. I like what I'm seeing.”
The Cubs no doubt have been the surprise team of baseball this season. Most observers expected them to be improved, but few probably thought they'd be flirting with 20 games over .500 in mid-August.
“I really thought it could be this good, I did,” Maddon said. “I've been saying it all year. When you go to play other teams and you look out on the field, especially at teams that are good, the guys in our front office hear me all the time, we can play with anybody. I felt that way all year.
“The disconnect has been lack of experience. We're gaining more experience as the season is in progress. When it comes down to skill level and ability, I'm happy with all of this stuff. We were getting beat by experience a little bit early on. We're doing a little bit better job now — batter at-bats, lengthier at-bats.”
When play resumed, former Cubs left-hander Tom Gorzelanny replaced Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez in the bottom of the third. Jason Motte came in for Hammel, who worked 3 innings, giving up 9 hits.