Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs fall; Joey Gallo era begins

It looked as if the Chicago Cubs were putting together a ninth-inning rally, trailing the Miami Marlins by three runs with two on and no outs. That is until rookie Addison Russell was thrown out at second base by Giancarlo Stanton.

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Russell had assumed that Starlin Castro was already rounding third base and on his way to home plate, but pumped the brakes too late before Adeiny Hechavarria applied the tag to record the second out of the inning.

This led to veteran catcher Miguel Montero needing at least a double to drive in all three Cubs’ runners but struck out to end the game.

Miami regained the lead in the bottom half of the fifth on the bases loaded clearing double by infielder Marcell Ozuna with Kyle Hendricks on the mound. Hendricks had the bags full of fish with no outs and still managed to record back-to-back punch outs before Ozuna stepped into the batters box.

One of those strikeouts came with Stanton in the batter’s box, a huge out that could have ended up being more than just a three-run double. In fact, Stanton later drilled a solo bomb to right center field, No. 16 on the season while 10 of those big flies came in Marlins Park.

While the North Siders suffered a three-run loss, the South Siders were absolutely hammered on the road by the Texas Rangers with former Cub Jeff Samardzija on the mound.

In his big league debut, Joey Gallo recorded a two-run single in his first at-bat then followed that up with a two-run blast to right-center field. Interesting little side note; Gallo actually grew up playing baseball with Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.

Interesting little side note; Gallo actually grew up playing baseball with Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.

This Rangers team has received a little bit of a jolt after bringing Josh Hamilton back ‘home’, tagging the White Sox for 15 runs. Gallo – who was called up to replace the injured Adrian Beltre – finished the game 3-for-4 with the four RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus drove in Mitch Moreland during the home half of the eighth on a triple to the left field wall prior to Gallo drawing his first Major League walk. Catcher Carlos Corporan wouldn’t allow him to stand on third base for long, sending a deep three-run tater to right field which made it a 15-2 ballgame.

Now that Gallo is up with the Rangers, there’s no turning back after his huge performance. It’s safe to say once Beltre comes back, he could very well end up either becoming their full-time designated hitter or swapping between both spots in the lineup with the young slugger.

It’s time to get excited again, Texas Rangers fans. Your very own piece of Las Vegas has officially arrived.

Here’s more from around the league:

‘Mariners Blow Late Lead, Lose 5-3 In Extras‘ – SoDo Mojo

‘Jason Hammel quietly emerging as a staff ace’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Russell Martin steals home in DC‘ – MLB.com

‘MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL ROY candidates through May‘ – Call To The Pen

‘Chicago White Sox lassoed by Texas Rangers‘ – Southside Showdown

Next: Cubs, Hendricks Fall In Miami

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