Chicago Cubs mount rally, split series with Braves

It’s no secret the past few weeks for the Chicago Cubs have been taxing. They have gotten one day off, and have not played their best baseball. Thursday, the Cubs fought hard and needed a split with the Braves.

After a crushing loss late on Tuesday night at the hands of Ozzie Albies, the Chicago Cubs mounted a rally on Wednesday but came up just short. Today, the Cubs were having none of it.

Kyle Schwarber got things started early with a solo home run in the first inning, giving the Cubs the lead. The Braves fired right back with a run of their own in the second inning and took control in the third. Ronald Acuna was hit by a pitch to set it up for Dansby Swanson, and he doubled Acuna home. Freddie Freeman then hit an opposite field two-run home run to give the Braves the lead at 4-1.

They would add two more in the fourth to make it 6-1. The Cubs mounted a furious rally.  A two-run single by Jason Heyward in the fourth made it 6-3, and he would come home to score on a wild pitch, making the score 6-4. They would take the lead in the fifth. An error by Nick Markakis allowed Kris Bryant to reach second base, and Anthony Rizzo would score him with a double. Heyward would come through again with a triple, tying the game. Victor Caratini would mash one into the bleachers making the score 8-6 Cubs after five.

Atlanta got one back in the top of the 6th off the bat of Albies, who else? A long home run to center made the score 8-7. The Cubs would respond right back in the bottom of the inning. Daniel Descalso and Addison Russell would single, and Descalso would come home to score on a passed ball, 9-7 Cubs after six innings.

Craig Kimbrel made his Cubs debut today. He worked around a double and a walk to close out the win.

The Cubs are now 44-37, and still hold a one-game lead over the Brewers, who salvaged their finale against the Mariners. This was a much-needed win for many reasons. A 4-6 homestand would not have been encouraging, instead, the Cubs went 5-5, and now they go on the road for the next week, starting tomorrow night against the Reds.

It was nice to see the Cubs’ offense come back to life. It’s been dormant at times this year, and they got a lift when this team looked dead in the dirt. Maybe a win like today can propel them forward heading into the All-Star break. I know fans, and the team would be put at ease if the Cubs could get out of this month-long funk they have been in.

Tyler Chatwood was…okay in the start. Walks killed him again, but he did give up some hard contact, which has never really been his problem. He was doing well as a reliever, though, and the Cubs may be best suited to leave him in that role moving forward, now that Adbert Alzolay is with the team.

The Reds’ have won both series against the Chicago Cubs this year, so it may be time for the Cubs to flip the script. They will need it if they want to stay ahead of the Brewers. The schedule finally lets up next week when Chicago heads to Pittsburgh.