CHICAGO (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a two-run double and Dansby Swanson homered to lift the Cubs over the Tigers, 3-1, on Tuesday night.
Bellinger went 2-for-4 to lead Chicago. Javier Assad (6-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Cubs, allowing just one run on six hits and striking out seven.
“I thought it was Javy’s best start in a while, maybe since coming off the injured list,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Getting ahead of hitters more consistently, more execution, fewer bad misses. Curveball to left handers got him some strikeouts tonight. The two-seamer got some strikeouts tonight. Multiple pitches (were) working, and I think that’s what led to the good outing.”
Tyson Miller, Drew Smyly and Porter Hodge threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, each allowing a hit, to close the game. Hodge earned his second save.
Detroit fell despite strong performances at the plate by Dillon Dingler and Spencer Torkelson. Dingler hit in the Tigers’ lone run with an RBI single and added a triple. Torkelson was 4-for-4.
Tigers reliever Bryan Sammons (0-1) took the loss with three runs scored on four hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Chicago’s offense was mostly stagnant for the first four innings. With two runners on base, Bellinger doubled in the fifth to put the Cubs ahead 2-1. It was a similar scenario to Bellinger’s previous at-bat in the third, when he grounded out with runners on first and second.
“Obviously, I was pretty disappointed I wasn’t able to get the job done,” Bellinger said regarding his first attempt at batting in a run. “I felt decent that at-bat and said I just wanted to make the adjustment. Same situation, man on first and second with one out, so stay within my approach. (Ian) Happ and (Michael Busch) Buschy did a great job of getting on again, so I tried to get the job done.”
Swanson hit a solo home run in the sixth, his 10th of the season, to left-center field to extend the lead.
Detroit’s series opener at Chicago was Tigers shortstop Javier Báez’s first game at Wrigley since he was traded by the Cubs to the New York Mets in July 2021. The 31-year-old Báez spent his first 7 1/2 seasons in the majors with Chicago, helping the franchise to a historic World Series championship in 2016. He went hitless in four attempts with four strikeouts. He was greeted with a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long is rehabbing both a left hip labral repair and a right elbow sprain. … RHP Casey Mize is scheduled to pitch on a rehab assignment with AAA Toledo on Saturday. The former first overall pick has been out since June 30 with a left hamstring strain. … RHP Reese Olson, who has been recovering from a right shoulder strain, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. … OF Wenceel Pérez last played on Aug. 9 against San Francisco due to a left oblique strain and is expected to start a hitting progression this week.
Cubs: Chicago announced Tuesday it had designated RHP Héctor Neris for assignment and called up RHP Jack Neely from AAA Iowa. Neris posted an 8-4 record and 3.89 ERA in his first season with the Cubs this year, but blew five saves. Neely was Chicago’s No. 18 prospect and was acquired at the deadline from the Yankees.
UP NEXT
Jameson Taillon (8-7, 3.62 ERA) is set to start for Chicago in the second game of the series, while the Tigers had yet to announce a starter.
