Michael Busch hit a two-run triple to lift the host Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
The contest went through a couple of rain delays within the first two innings.
The Cubs jumped in front in the first inning. Ian Happ hit a leadoff homer 413 feet to center field to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs padded their lead in the fifth. Dansby Swanson hit a leadoff single to right field. Pete Crow-Armstrong reached safely on a bunt after Toronto shortstop Ernie Clement and second baseman Will Wagner couldn’t make the potential routine play. After the Blue Jays’ infield moved in, Miguel Amaya laid down a bunt. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. threw out Swanson at third, but Amaya was safe at first on a high throw by Addison Barger.
After Happ struck out swinging, Busch followed with a triple to center field. Toronto center fielder Daulton Varsho attempted to make a play at the wall, but the ball hit the ivy, allowing Crow-Armstrong and Amaya to score and give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.
Barger crushed a 418-foot solo homer in the ninth inning for Toronto to slice the deficit to a run. Chicago’s Jorge Lopez, however, recovered to get the final three outs for his third save of the year.
In the seventh inning, the Blue Jays’ Steward Berroa singled. One out later, George Springer added another single to put runners on the corner. Varsho then reached base on a bunt single, scoring Berroa to cut the Blue Jays’ deficit to 3-1.
Chicago starter Justin Steele was pulled after the second rain delay, even though he tossed two hitless innings with three strikeouts. Nate Pearson (2-1) went two innings and allowed a hit and two walks with a strikeout.
Toronto’s Chris Bassitt (9-12) threw five innings and gave up three runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
–Field Level Media