It’s probably not a good sign when your catcher has to pitch in back-to-back games, but the Chicago Cubs will definitely welcome it, as they made MLB history following their second straight blowout win against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
After falling behind 5-2 in the fourth inning, the Cubs battled back as they have in recent weeks. Christopher Morel had already clobbered a two-run homer in the second and then Dansby Swanson crushed one to Waveland.
The offense did not stop, adding two more runs in the fifth inning and then they took advantage of some awful Reds defense to score five runs in the sixth, taking a 10-5 lead.
Cincinnati got a run back in the seventh to make it 10-6, but then the Cubs showed no mercy, scoring six more times. Ian Happ homered in back-to-back innings and Seiya Suzuki blasted a home run in the eighth inning, too.
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The 16 runs on Wednesday night came on 16 hits, which included 10 extra-base hits and 5 home runs and with that the Cubs became the first team in MLB history to have 10+ extra-base and 5+ home runs in back-to-back games.
MLB was established back in 1876. This is insane. The first time ever.
Amazing.
Jeimer Candelario
How about the Cubs offense with Jeimer Candelario??
The switch-hitter had another four-hit game for the Cubs after getting traded back to the North Side from the Washington Nationals. Candelario was 4-for-5 Tuesday night and 4-for-4, reaching base a fifth time with a walk on Wednesday. He already has three doubles and six runs scored to go along with his eight hits.
Seiya Suzuki
I know the home run was against the backup catcher, but hopefully it gives Seiya Suzuki some confidence. He went the entire month of June without a homer and only hit two in July. He’s been in a deep funk and now it appears as though his playing time will be limited to a platoon, getting most of his starts against left-handed pitching.
Suzuki 2-for-5 on Wednesday night, adding an RBI-single during the Cubs’ sixth-inning rally.
Standings Update
The Cubs are now within three games of the Reds for first place in the NL Central Division.
NL Central Standings
Reds: 59-51
Brewers: 58-51 (0.5 GB)
Cubs: 55-53 (3 GB)
Pirates: 48-59 (9.5 GB)
Cardinals: 48-61 (10.5 GB)
Meanwhile, the National League Wild Card race is getting tighter. The Milwaukee Brewers lost two of three to the Washington Nationals this week and are now tied with the Miami Marlins for the third Wild Card spot.
NL Wild Card Standings
Giants: 60-49 (+2)
Phillies: 58-50 (+0.5)
Brewers: 58-51 (-)
Marlins: 58-51 (-)
Diamondbacks: 57-52 (1 GB)
Cubs: 55-53 (2.5 GB)
Following Thursday night’s series finale against the Reds, the Cubs will host the Atlanta Braves for three games this weekend before a six-game road trip against the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.
He already has three doubles and six runs scored to go along with his eight hits.