Morning Marquee: Starlin Castro does it again in extras

Well, the Chicago Cubs found themselves in extra-innings for the third straight game and just like their walk-off win on Saturday, shortstop Starlin Castro was able to do it again yesterday.

Cincinnati recorded the first run of the ballgame in the sixth inning but only held it until the seventh when outfielder Dexter Fowler plated veteran catcher David Ross on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Both teams would battle it out, eventually reaching the 11th inning deadlocked at one apiece.

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Now, Castro became the youngest Cub since Ron Santo to reach 900 career-hits back on June 2nd and matched the Hall of Fame third baseman for the second time in his career on Sunday night.

Castro’s single in the home half of the 11th inning was the first time a Cub has recorded back-to-back walk-off hits since Santo did it back in 1966.

Ronny had himself two walk-off home runs in as many days on May 28-29 the same year they traded Bobby Cox to the Atlanta Braves for Billy Cowan. It was a year in which the team made a handful of trades but still managed to finish with a record of 59-103.

Hopefully, this years team won’t suffer the same fate as Santo’s 1966 squad since they already have 34 wins and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Not only does this walk-off win feel great, but seeing Jon Lester being able to keep things together was just as good. In seven innings of work, Chicago’s southpaw picked up a no-decision, allowing only one earned run on seven hits while recording four strikeouts in turned out to be a pitchers duel with Cincinnati’s young Anthony DeSclafani.

Although the Cubs escaped with another walk-off win, it was frustrating to see Billy Hamilton swipe five bases in one game. It appeared as if first baseman Joey Votto was annoyed after Hamilton stole third with two outs which resulted in him picking up strike number two of his at-bat.

Now that they’ve handled their division rival, Joe Maddon and his young Cubs will welcome in the Cleveland Indians for a two-game set at Wrigley Field then a second set as the visiting team which will begin a brief five-game road trip.

Monday through Friday will have evening starts while Saturday and Sunday’s contests will begin at 1:10 p.m. central time.

Here’s more from around the league:

‘Reds Suffer Walk-Off Loss To Cubs Despite Hamilton’s Five Steals‘ – Blog Red Machine

‘Giants Lose Eighth Straight Game At Home As D’backs Complete Sweep‘ – Around The Foghorn

‘Braves Lose to the Mets – Buy Why?‘ – Tomahawk Take

‘Lance McCullers works five hitless innings in series win‘ – Climbing Tal’s Hill

‘Blue Jays continue win streak with sweep in Boston‘ – Jays Journal

Next: Cubs, Castro Walk-Off Again vs Reds

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