Ian Happ's HR in 10th helps Cubs avoid sweep vs. Giants

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th June, 21:57 2024

Jun 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Ian Happ (right) celebrates with right fielder Cody Ballinger (24) after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the tenth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Happ hit a two-run home run off the top of the center field wall with one out in the 10th inning Thursday afternoon, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-3 to avoid a four-game sweep.

Happ's homer, his 10th of the season, came after Giants reliever Luke Jackson (4-2) had gotten Seiya Suzuki to ground out without advancing Cody Bellinger, the automatic runner, from second base.

Brett Wisely singled to put runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the 10th. But Porter Hodge nailed down his first career save by striking out Austin Slater and retiring Heliot Ramos and Wilmer Flores on flyouts.

Hector Neris (7-2), who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts in a 3-3 tie, was credited with the win.

Both teams produced a three-run inning earlier in the game.

After losing the first three games of the series in San Francisco, the Cubs scored three runs in the third inning.

Nico Hoerner opened the scoring with a two-run home run, his third of the season. Suzuki plated Bellinger later in the frame with a two-out triple against Giants starter Jordan Hicks.

The Cubs' Shota Imanaga took a one-hit shutout into the sixth before Slater's leadoff single sparked the Giants' game-tying surge.

Jorge Soler drove in the first run with a two-out, ground-rule double. After Imanaga's wild pitch allowed Matt Chapman to score, Luis Matos delivered an infield single that scored Soler to draw the Giants even at 3-3.

Imanaga allowed three runs and five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings. He was coming off his worst outing of the season, when he allowed 10 runs in three-plus innings against the New York Mets on Friday.

Hicks gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.

Suzuki finished with a double and triple for the Cubs, who outhit the Giants 10-6. Hoerner collected three hits, while Bellinger scored twice.

Soler's double was the only extra-base hit for the Giants, who still captured the season series over the Cubs, 4-3.

--Field Level Media

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