Cubs peak in eighth inning to knock off Giants

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th June, 22:42 2024

MLB: San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs

Jun 18, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) gestures after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs scored three more runs in the eighth for a 5-2 win against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

Ian Happ had two hits and two runs for the Cubs, while Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger each had two hits and one run in the middle game of the three-game series. Bellinger and Happ also drove in one run apiece for Chicago, which had lost two straight and four of its past five.

Cubs starter Justin Steele allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings, but the 2023 National League All-Star is still looking for his first win of the season after 10 starts. He struck out eight and walked two on Tuesday.

Tyson Miller (2-0) got the final out of the seventh and retired the side in order in the eighth. Keegan Thompson struck out the side in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Curt Casali had a two-run double for the Giants.

Giants starter Logan Webb allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked one on 101 pitches.

Tyler Rogers (0-2) replaced Webb to start the eighth, and Busch greeted him with a double high off the wall in right-center field. Bellinger then singled to left to score Busch for a 3-2 lead.

After Seiya Suzuki singled, Happ found another hole in the infield for a run-scoring base hit to right to make it 4-2.

The Giants nearly avoided further damage, but Luke Jackson entered with the bases loaded and gave up a pinch-hit RBI single to Christopher Morel, putting Chicago up 5-2.

Webb retired the first four batters he faced before Happ singled with one out in the second. Swanson then took Webb deep, sending a sinker into the stands in right-center field for a 2-0 lead.

Shortly after the death of Giants legend Willie Mays was announced, San Francisco rallied for two runs in the fifth inning.

Steele walked two of the first three batters of the frame before Casali, hitting in the No. 9 spot, doubled to center to drive in both runners and tie things at 2-all.

--Field Level Media

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