Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/21/19): Cubs 12, Giants 11 — A “Season-Defining Win”
Anthony Rizzo said that Wednesday’s’ roller-coaster 12-11 win over the Giants Wednesday night was “season-defining”.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1164391720005582849?s=20
The game started with Yu Darvish giving up a two-run homer to Evan Longoria in the first inning. But the Cubs quickly fought back.
In the bottom of the 1st, Jason Heyward walked and Nicholas Castellanos hit a two run bomb to tie the game at 2-2. Then in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Darvish smacked an RBI single through the hole after Giant’s starter Dereck Rodriguez walked Ian Happ and Victor Caratini. Castellanos (of course) followed up with another RBI single, plating Caratini to make it 4-2 Cubs.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Kyle Schwarber blasted an opposite-field homer to extend the Cubs lead to 6-2. Mike Yastrzemski, however, hit a two-run homer cut the lead to 6-4 in the top of the 5th. Victor Caratini added one more for the Cubs in the bottom half of the 5th on an RBI single to give the Cubs a 7-4 lead.
Queue the craziness: The Giants plated five more off Darvish and reliever Derek Holland in the 6th inning, including home runs from Stephen Vogt and Kevin Pillar to make the score 9-7 Giants.
The Cubs offense fought back once again, as Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez, and Schwarber all plated runs in the bottom of the 6th to give the Cubs the lead at 10-9. But two more Giants’ runs in the top of the 7th inning off Tyler Chatwood put the Giants back on top at 11-10.
In the bottom of the eighth, Castellanos beat out an infield single to lead off the inning. And up came Kristopher “Clutch” Bryant, who hit an absolute laser to give the Cubs a 12-11 lead. That was all Craig Kimbrel need, as the Cubs closer locked down the save with another dominating performance. (Box Score)
Why the Cubs Won
Despite blowing a four-run lead, coming back, and then blowing the lead once again, the Cubs somehow found a way to win. It’s hard not to love this team’s attitude right now. I mean, Castellanos was literally skipping and fist bumping around the bases after Kris Bryant‘s eighth inning homer gave the Cubs a 12-11 lead.
Key Moment
After Castellanos beat out a single to start the bottom of the 8th, Bryant stroked a long home run without the aid of any gas station enhancers, putting the Cubs up for good at 12-11.
Stats that Matter
- When is Big Stick Nick going to have a bad game? Seriously? Dude was 4-for-5 tonight with three RBI and two runs scored. Also had one really big fist pump while watching Bryant’s ball leave the park in the bottom of the 8th.
- Darvish finally had a rough one despite looking dominant in the middle of his start. Darvish went 5.1 IP and gave up six earned runs. However, he continued his crazy K/BB ratio ( which now sits at 71:2 since July 1) with eight strikeouts and no walks.
- Cishek, Kintzler, Kimbrel– three innings pitched, one hit allowed, four strikeouts.
- Schwarber uncorked his team-leading 29th home run of the season in this one– his 11th going the opposite way this year.
- The Cubs continue to win at home and their record now sits at 43-19 in home games.
Bottom Line
In a long, crazy game, the Cubs’ offense stole a win due to their home runs and quality back-end bullpenning. Oh, and Kris Bryant is clutch.
On Deck
The Cubs and Giants finish up their three-game set and season series tomorrow afternoon at Wrigley Field. Kyle Hendricks takes on former Cub Jeff Samardzija at 1:20 CT. The game will be broadcast by WGN and ESPN+. 670 The Score will carry the game on the radio if you want to listen to Pat and Ron.
