Rizzo hits clutch homer as Cardiac Cubs earn comeback win
by - Correspondent - Friday, April 21, 2017, 11:29 PM
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had only one hit on Friday night, but it proved to be the most important hit of the game.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had only one hit on Friday night, but it proved to be the most important hit of the game.

CINCINNATI -- The Cubbies downed the division-leading Reds in a very wet game on Friday night. Anthony Rizzo hit a game-tying three-run home run in the ninth and was followed by a Kris Bryant sac-fly in the eleventh to take the win. It is the second game in a row a Cubs hitter has smashed a three-run home run in the ninth inning and the third game in a row with a come-from-behind win.

Jake Arrieta was actually supposed to pitch this game, but he was pushed back a day, and it marks the one-year anniversary of him throwing a 16-0 no-hitter against the Reds.

Lester got off to a great start only allowing one hit through the first three innings, but faltered in the fourth after an intentional walk to the catcher, Tucker Barnhart. Lester then gave up a double to the pitcher, Tim Adleman going down 3-1. The Reds picked up two more runs in the next two innings and would lead the Cubs all the way up until the ninth inning.

The ninth inning started off well when Miguel Montero pinch hit for the pitcher and singled through the shift. Kyle Schwarber came up with one out, but was quickly down 0-2. He was angry at a couple of calls made by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson, but fought off a low 1-2 pitch to shallow left field for an “excuse-me” double. Rizzo tied the game with a laserbeam home run to right field, his first game-tying home run since 2012.

Jason Heyward and Javier Baez each took Adleman deep for their first home runs of the year. Though Baez has struggled a bit out of the gate (.233/.298/.395), his home run could spark more offensive output. Heyward has also rebounded nicely from last year’s hitting funk, leading the team with a .286 batting average.

Saturday’s pitching matchup will be Jake Arrieta (2-0, 2.89 ERA) against Cody Reed (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Reed has appeared only as a relief pitcher for the Reds four times this year. Start time is scheduled for 1:10 PM EDT.

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