Jeff Baker shines as Chicago Cubs defeat Houston Astros 5-4 – MLB Update
The pinch-hitter Jeff Baker went for a game-winning single in the 10th inning to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Sunday, July 24 at Wrigley Field.
This impressive victory also gave the Cubs their first three-game series sweep in the season.
Importantly, this was the first ever three-game sweep for the Cubs in almost two years, underscoring the fact that the team has had a phase best described as a struggling one.
It would not be possible without the hit that came off Jeff Baker’s bat, giving the team a game-winning run.
“We were joking around today, trying to loosen guys up, saying there is no way we can win three," said Baker. "It was big, obviously it's frustrating the year hasn't gone the way we want. To finally to get three together, it's in our division, hopefully
we get rolling. Why not four?"
After winning the first game 4-2 and the second emphatically with a 5-1 score, the Cubs had a relatively resistant Astros to face on Sunday when the game kicked off. The Astros went for a slightly aggressive posture against the Chicago starter Matt Garza.
Clint Barmes went for an RBI run in the very first inning, giving the Astros an early lead. The lead was maintained only for an inning when Jordan Lyles came on the mound. However, the second inning brought a massive change in the outlook of the game.
Geovany Soto doubled to deep right-centre to make the first run for the Cubs, levelling the score. Darwin Barney capitalised on a seemingly weak pitch of Lyles and score another run to take the lead 2-1 followed by Matt Garza’s run in the 4-hit second inning.
The three-run second inning gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead that Houston brought to 3-2 in the fifth with Hunter Pence’s RBI run against Matt Garza. While Garza pitched well, Jeff Samardzija relieved him in the eighth inning that provided Carlos Lee an opportunity
for a two-run homer.
Having got the homer, Houston came back in the game for the second time with a 4-3 lead which did not go for long as Alfonso Soriano scored a much-needed run in the bottom of ninth inning to level the score.
While the game entered an exciting phase, it was the pinch hitter Jeff Baker whose preying eyes and unyielding bat saw an opportunity in David Carpenter’s seemingly slow-paced pitch that he singled to left, giving a game-winning run to the Cubs in the 10th
inning.
His run at a crucial time gave the Cubs an important victory, paving the way for first three-game sweep in the season and in two-years.
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