Rizzo’s walk-off single wins it in the 12th; Cubs beat the Rays 3-2

The Chicago Cubs aren’t much for humdrum, boring games. Seems these days they’re giving the fans their moneys worth. For the sixth time in 12 games the Cubs went to extras, and a walk-off single by Anthony Rizzo sent the fans home happy as the Cubs avoided the sweep with a 3-2 win.

The Rays may just have been out of their element. The Cubs (50-66) are doing this pretty much on an every other day basis.

Travis Wood was effective, but once again found himself without a decision. He pitched six innings, allowing one unearned run, while striking out six.

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The Rays (57-60) got a similar performance from their starter Alex Cobb, who also pitched six innings, allowing one run and striking out six.

The Rays scored first in the fifth as Javier Baez threw the ball away trying to make a barehanded play on Desmond Jennings ground ball, allowing Curt Casali to score.

Baez would atone for his mistake in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single to left, scoring Travis Wood to tie the game 1-1.

Fresh off the DL, Neil Ramirez showed a little rust in his first appearance back, an RBI double by Desmond Jennings in the seventh. Brandon Guyer scored on the play after he reached on a single, then stole second. Justin Grimm would finish off the inning without anymore damage allowed.

The Cubs wasted no time, as a two-out Ryan Sweeney double was followed by a Chris Coghlan RBI triple to knot the game at 2-2.

Each bullpen took over, and each team remained scoreless for four innings. Carlos Villanueva (5-6, 5.11) pitched a scoreless 12th to give the Cubs their chance in the bottom half of the inning.

Cesar Ramos (2-4, 3.93) entered the game, and allowed a leadoff single to Sweeney, followed by a Coghlan sacrifice bunt. Baez, hoping to supply some more 12th inning heroics, struck out swinging. But the ball bounced away, allowing Sweeney to advance and Baez took first.

After another pitch by Ramos in the dirt allowed Baez to take second, Rays manager Joe Maddon opted to not intentionally walk Rizzo, which backfired as the Cubs salvaged the series finale.

The Cubs will open a series with division rival Milwaukee tomorrow. Jake Arrieta (6-3, 2.80), is coming off a rough start in Colorado in which he allowed nine runs in five innings. He’ll face off against Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 3.54). The game will be a 7:05 pm CT start at Wrigley Field.

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