Chicago Cubs get a big day from Happ in downing the Blue Jays

The Chicago Cubs got a quality start from Jose Quintana, while Ian Happ and Anthony Rizzo provided the offense as the Cubs took the second game of the series, 4-3.

The Chicago Cubs‘ Jose Quintana went six innings, allowing just two runs while the Cubs got two RBI from Ian Happ to edge out the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3. Just like Friday’s game, the Cubs’ bullpen had to hold off the Jays to give the Cubs the win.

The Cubs (65-57) drew first blood when Happ singled in the first to drive in Jon Jay, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Quintana (8-10, 4.27) was cruising along until the fourth. Kevin Pillar led off the inning with a single, followed by a double by former Cub Darwin Barney. Raffy Lopez doubled giving the Jays (59-64) a 2-1 lead.

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It was short-lived as the Cubs came back to tie the game on a solo home run by Happ in the bottom half of the inning. Quintana was able to coast from there as he finished the game with eight strikeouts on the day.

With Danny Barnes on the hill, the Cubs squeaked out the go ahead run in the sixth. A topspin shot up the middle was deflected by Barney and into center field. That allowed Happ to score to give the Cubs the 3-2 lead. The Cubs would add an insurance run in the seventh on an Anthony Rizzo floater–his 13th RBI on the homestand–for the 4-2 lead.

The Jays would get one back in the eighth as Kevin Pillar singled to left to score Kevin Pearce, making it a 4-3 ball game.

Wade Davis came in to close the game and set the record for consecutive saves by a Cubs reliever–with the help of Baez. On a ball deflected by Kris Bryant, Baez reached back to snag the grounder and throw out Ryan Goins. It was just another sparkling play this week by Baez who seems to have found his rhythm.

Next: How well is Heyward actually doing?

What’s next

The Cubs will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.45) will face off against Marco Estrada (5-8, 5.09). The Cubs will maintain first-place in the division through the weekend thanks to the two sins to start the series.