Montero, Soler go back-to-back off Jackson
With the Pittsburgh Pirates receiving a walk-off homer to sink the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs were able to rally from a four-run deficit late in the game to defeat and clinch the series from the Atlanta Braves by the final score 9-7.
Both Miguel Montero and Jorge Soler went back-to-back off former Cub right-hander, Edwin Jackson during the bottom of the eighth inning which made it a 9-7 ball game.
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Shortstop Addison Russell tied things up with a solo bomb to left field that would end up being reviewed due to possible fan interference in the sixth.
This has been an issue as of late when fans get too excited and reach over the basket in hopes of snagging a home run ball. I believe this is the second time this has happened during this home stand – the first happening during the series opener against the Detroit Tigers this past Monday on a Miguel Cabrera double.
Nick Swisher – who was acquired from the Cleveland Indians – gave the Braves (53-70) a 2-1 lead on his first home run of the game. He would record a two-run homer later on in the fifth inning which made it 7-3 in favor of the visiting team.
Today’s starter, Dan Haren (8-8, 3.76 ERA), continued to struggle on the mound for the Cubs (70-51) after giving up four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of work.
With the Cubs trailing 7-3 with two runners on in the fifth, third baseman, Kris Bryant lined a two-run RBI double to left field, scoring both Dexter Fowler and Chris Coghlan to cut the lead down to two.
Montero followed that up with an RBI double of his own, bringing his club within one by driving in Bryant from second. This is the second game in a row in which these two have recorded back-to-back RBI doubles.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo continues to make a case for N.L. MVP honors after swatting his 25th home run of the season. He’s been the core of this surging ball club and leads the team in home runs, RBI, and batting average.
The Cubs will have the opportunity to sweep the Braves and climb 20 games above .500 when Jason Hammel takes the mound opposite Matt Wisler in Sunday’s series finale.