That was the mood at Wrigley Field * for * the Cubs scored another 7 (!) runs:
You could say that the mood has improved since the opening day at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/34HQEqKEXH
– Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) 22 April 2021
So, yes, it was a very good night.
But it certainly did not start that way. Opponent David Peterson got the minimum through the first three innings. And while the Mets attack managed just two runs at that point, Zach Davies gave up a TON of hard contact (he allowed * seven * balls in the game at over 104 MPH … in 3.0 IP). We’ll have to put it aside and talk about it tomorrow.
But then the fourth turn happened – that sweet, sweet fourth turn – and everything changed.
After Ian Happ struck out to kick things off, the Cubs promised seven runs on six singles, a walk and a few (a dozen?) Errors. Six singles. Some of them were well hit. Some were just fluke. And some were helped by the Mets concrete hands, but if ever there was a night that encouraged the Cubs to just put the ball in play, then it was. And let me just give a special shout out to Willson Contreras and Javy Baez, who both went crazy in this innings to hit the plays first, reach the base on a foul and that extra run on a record shallow stroke. It’s the kind of intensity and extra effort that can make a small difference on the sidelines. now and a big difference over the course of a full season.
Later, Contreras ‘rush turned a must-be-out into a very odd doubles match, which at the time was the Cubs’ only extra-base hit of the entire series. Of course, it did not last long, as Javy Baez reached the game out of reach with an absolutely giant Grand Slam. There were many more hits and runs thereafter (including a number of a position player hitting in 8th place).
Ag. There was just so much goodness in this one to recall it all (including a well-deserved standing ovation for World Series champion Albert Almora Jr. and Javy Baez, who batted on the left side of the plate). We’ll have fun tomorrow with the offensive numbers.
Cubs win the match. Cubs win the series (only their second series victory of the year). Cubs have a chance to fight tomorrow. Good night!
Full Box count.