Cubs rally falls short in extra innings

Cubs rally falls short in extra innings


by - Senior Editor -

The Chicago Cubs (17-6) lost 4-3 to the Atlanta Braves (6-18) in extra innings as a pitching duel broke out for the most of the game at Wrigley Field between John Lackey and Julio Teheran.

Teheran got the best of the Cubs on this day as he pitched an impressive seven shutout innings while allowing only two hits while striking out nine batters. He retired 18 of the last 20 batters he faced in front of an announced crowd of 40,164.

The first four innings was a scoreless battle as both pitchers were sharp.

The Braves scored on a sac fly by the third baseman Jace Peterson to make it 1-0 in the fifth inning. Interestingly, around twenty seagulls showed up and watched a few minutes of action in the left field corner of Wrigley Field at the bottom of the fifth inning.

Lackey got into some trouble in the sixth inning as he gave up a single up the middle and two walks to load the bases. Russell dropped a sure double play that made the score 2-0.

Lackey had a respectable performance going eight innings while only giving up three hits and two earned runs. The eight innings was the longest outing of the year for someone not named Arrieta.

The crowd sang the 7th inning stretch with Harry Caray on the video board. The two teams had only mustered a total of four hits up to that point in the contest.

Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant hit long fly balls for harmless outs into the wind in the 8th inning.

Jason Heyward grounded out to put the Cubs on the board at 3-1.

Bryant singled in Fowler with two outs to inch closer at 3-2. However, Rizzo struck out swinging to end the threat in the 8th inning.

In the ninth stanza, Ben Zobrist singled and he advanced to third on a two-base throwing error by Arodys Vizcaino. Russell singled to right field to tie the game at 3-3.

Braves pitcher Jim Johnson in this series has allowed five runs and recorded just two outs.

Rondon came in the game in the bottom of the ninth gave up back to back singles with one out in the inning. A sac fly by outfielder Nick Markakis scored Castro in the 10th inning to make it 4-3.

Dexter Fowler grounded out; Jason Heyward struck out, and Bryant walked to extend the game in the 10th inning for slugger Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo hit a deep fly ball to left field to end the game.

This was the first extra inning game for the Cubs this year as the team with worst record in the major leagues was victorious.

The Cubs will now travel to Pittsburgh to begin a three-game series starting on Monday.

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