Russell plays hero again in win over Giants |
CHICAGO -- The Cubs got a two-out two-run single by Addison Russell in the seventh and five perfect innings from the bullpen in a 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night. With the win, Chicago improved to 39 games over .500 (86-47) and cut its magic number to 15.
Chicago trailed 4-3 going into the seventh inning but started the inning with an infield single by Dexter Fowler and a walk by Kris Bryant. After Anthony Rizzo struck out and Jason Heyward popped out, Ben Zobrist walked to load the bases to set up the heroics for Russell who singled to shallow left. Russell's game-winner was his 87th and 88th RBI which is the most by a Cubs player in their age 22-or-younger season since Vic Saier drove in 92 runs in 1913. Russell also has 32 RBI in his last 32 games. Cubs rookie reliever Carl Edwards pitched a perfect ninth for his first career save to complete five consecutive hitless innings for the bullpen. It was the second time this season that the bullpen has thrown at least 5 hitless innings after not accomplishing the feat in the previous eight seasons. Joe Smith (1-0) picked up the win in relief for the Cubs. Mike Montgomery started the game for the Cubs and gave up four runs including a two-run homer to Hunter Pence in the first. Former Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija got the start for the Giants and gave up three runs and five hits in four innings. Chicago will play game two of a four-game set with San Francisco on Friday afternoon at 2:20 PM CT. Jon Lester will take the mound for the Cubs against a starter to be named for the Giants.
