Chicago. The Chicago Cubs displayed their offensive power this Friday at Wrigley Field, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays with a score of 6-4. This victory, at the start of a three-game series, shortens the distance in the fight for the lead in the National League Central Division.
Ian Happ stood out, missing a triple to complete the cycle and contributing two runs. Nico Hoerner reached base three times, Venezuelan Moisés Ballesteros hit a crucial triple, and Dansby Swanson added a run-scoring double. This offensive production was key to supporting the work of the left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd.
Boyd, despite allowing four runs in five innings, showed resilience. Dominican Christopher Morel, former Cubs player, hit a three-run homer in the first inning. Boyd, however, managed to limit the damage and complete his work on the mound. In addition, he surprised with an excellent defensive play in the fourth inning, by getting Venezuelan Everson Pereira out at first base, adding his eleventh pickoff of the season, a figure that leads the Major Leagues and hadn’t been seen since 2012.
The Cubs’ offense responded immediately. In the second inning, they manufactured three runs thanks to RBIs from Swanson, Michael Busch, and Happ. In the third inning, Ballesteros drove in a run with a triple, and in the fourth inning, Happ extended the lead with his 21st home run of the year.
With this victory, the Cubs are only five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, leaders of the Central, awaiting the result of the Brewers’ game against the Cardinals.
The series continues this weekend at Wrigley Field, where the Cubs will look to maintain their momentum in the postseason race.
