Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs walk-off to salvage weekend

After having Saturday’s contest postponed due to rain and rescheduled for late September, the Chicago Cubs received their second walk-off win – this time from the bat of veteran catcher David Ross.

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Both starters came out swinging, allowing a combined two earned runs across seven innings. Cubs’ starter Tsuyoshi Wada made it through 5 2/3 innings before skipper Joe Maddon turned to the bullpen, sending his Japanese-born hurler to the dugout after another quality start.

Ever since he’s been activated from the disabled list, Wada has been lights out in every start since his 2015 debut in San Diego against the Padres. The decision to move Travis Wood to the bullpen to make room for Wada in the starting rotation has paid off thus far – in fact, it’s helped balance out the rotation itself.

With the Cubs wrapping up the home stand (2-3), they’ll find themselves on the road beginning tonight against Giancarlo Stanton and the struggling Miami Marlins.

While Chicago managed to keep themselves in second place, the Pittsburgh Pirates were unable to win their four-game series in San Diego. Pittsburgh has been one of the hottest teams in baseball, reaching a winning streak of seven games before Friday’s 6-2 loss.

San Diego pulled through on Sunday with a huge 7-1 victory behind a two-run big fly from Will Middlebrooks in the bottom half of the third which made it a 5-0 ballgame. Middlebrooks finished the game with three RBI – his final being a sacrifice fly in the very next inning that allowed Derek Norris to cross home plate.

The Detriot Tigers – who will find themselves squaring off with the Cubs this month – continued to struggle offensively, dropping their four-game series to the Los Angeles Angels. Los Angeles was riding a brief two-game losing streak prior to charging ahead for the four-game sweep of Miguel Cabrera and company.

In that series against the Tigers, the Angels outscored them 26-10.

Cabrera finished the series 4-for-12 with one double and only two RBI while Mike Trout went 4-for-15 with one home run and two RBI. Los Angeles will continue their home stand for another three games as Maddon’s former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, come into town later on tonight.

Here’s more from around the league:

‘Padres Split Series With Pirates‘ – Friars On Base

‘Detroit Tigers offense sputters as LA Angels complete sweep‘ – Motor City Bengals

‘Oldest remaining Cubs player, Lennie Merullo passes away‘ – Cubbies Crib

‘MLB Draft Begins June 8′ – MLB.com

‘Bryce Harper might skip Home Run Derby‘ – ESPN.com

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