Chicago Cubs win again in extras on a walk to La Stella

The Chicago Cubs’ John Lackey didn’t have his best stuff, but the Cubs rallied again. Thanks to a 10th inning walk from Tommy La Stella, the Cubs have won their second extra-inning contest.

The Chicago Cubs didn’t get the greatest effort from starter John Lackey, but the cardiac Cubs rose to the challenge late. The Milwaukee Brewers jumped out to the early lead on a Neil Walker single that scored Ryan Braun. In the second, back-to-back home runs from Steven Vogt and Brett Phillips put the Crew out to a 3-0 lead.

The Cubs () would battle back in the second with a RBI double from Jon Jay, scoring Javier Baez. Kris Bryant followed with a little flare into right field to score Jay and cut the Brewers lead to 3-2. Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff seemed to have the Cubs in check, but that went out the window in the fifth inning. Ben Zobrist roped a ground ball back up the middle past Woodruff, scoring Jay and Kris Bryant to put the Cubs up 4-3.

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A bump in the road

The normally reliable Brian Duensing struggled again. Trying to hold a one-run lead, Duensing allowed a RBI double to Travis Shaw that tied the game at 4-4. Fortunately, the rest of the bullpen held strong, giving the Cubs a chance to win it in the 10th.

Brewers’ closer Corey Knebel came out for a second inning of work, and it was a stark contrast from his first inning of the night. After Bryant started the inning with a walk, Anthony Rizzo followed with a single to right field. An intentional walk to Zobrist loaded the bases with nobody out. After Knebel got Martin to strike out, Tommy La Stella was called on to pinch-hit. In typical, calm La Stella fashion, he drew the walk to allow the go-ahead–and eventual winning run–to score.

With Wade Davis unavailable, Carl Edwards was called upon to finish off the game. With one out in the inning, and Edwards pitch got away from Willson Contreras. Eric Sogard took off for second, beating the throw. But Sogard’s slid carried him past the bag, and newly inserted Addison Russell held on the tag and Sogard was called out. Walker then flied out Zobrist to end the game and see the Cubs lead in the division move to 5 1/2.

Next: Nicasio makes sense for the Cubs

The Cubs and Brewers will go at it in the third game of the series tomorrow at 12:05 P.M. CT. Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.22) will take on Brent Suter (3-2, 3.41). Tomorrow’s game is a must win if the Brewers want to keep their chances alive for the NL Central.

*The article stated the division lead was 5 1/2 games. With the Cardinals win, they leapfrogged the Brewers. It’s 5 over them, 5 1/2 over the Brewers. Magic No. is 5 over the Cards, 4 for the Brewers.