Game Notes: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs (5/15/15)

Final Score
Cubs 11, Pirates 10 (12 innings)

Game Summary
In the longest game I've ever been to, both sides failed to cash in on opportunities until the Cubs (20-15) got on the board thanks to a Kris Bryant three run homer. The Pirates (17-19) answered back with a home run, but the Cubs responded with two more, including a solo shot by Anthony Rizzo. A pair of fifth inning runs made it 7-1 Cubs, but then the wheels came off a bit. Pittsburgh strung together a four run rally in the sixth to chase starter Kyle Hendricks, though the Cubs struck back with a run in their half, plus two more in the seventh to make it 10-5. The Pirates didn't go quietly though, scoring four in the eighth before a two out rally plated the tying run. The Cubs threatened in the tenth, loading the bases with one out before a double play on a would-be sacrifice fly ended the chance. It was déjà vu in the 12th though, as the Cubs walked off on maybe the weirdest play we'll see all year.

Pitchers of Record
W: Edwin Jackson (2-1)- 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 0 K. Not the most effective outing, but Jackson was able to get out of trouble. This is where you see how much the win stat is overrated, but he earned it with the scoreless 12th. Now, terrifying side note from former Major Leaguer Fernando Tatis:

Edwin Jackson has 10% of the Cubs wins

— Fernando Tatis (@FTatis23) May 15, 2015

L: Radhames Liz (1-3)- 0.1 IP, 1 R (1 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K. It should be noted that one of Liz's walks was intentional (to Soler to load the bases), and really, he can't be faulted too much for the loss. He struck out Kris Bryant, Destroyer of Baseballs to start the inning before it all fell apart, really through no fault of his own.

Key Stats

• Matt Szczur (CHC): 2-7, 3 RBI. Szczur had kind of a weird day at the plate. He had a two run single in the fifth to make it 7-1, but didn't do much else until extra innings. He twice had bases loaded, one out at bats because the Pirates wanted no part of Jorge Soler and intentionally walked him to load it up both times. The first time Szczur came up in that situation, he hit a fly ball into shallow right field, which Gregory Polanco caught, then threw an absolute strike to nail Starlin Castro at the plate. The second time, he hit it to almost the exact same spot, only this time his feet gave way. You take that every time, though.
• Kris Bryant (CHC): 1-4, HR (4), 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB. Note to the Cubs: Kris Bryant, Destroyer of Baseballs has hit four home runs so far this season. I've been present for two of them. Tickets. Now. Anyway, his home run was pretty majestic even though it only got a couple rows into the bleachers, and it came after he fell behind 0-2 in the count and worked it full. He also drew those couple of walks, which is crazy to think about from a 23-year-old rookie.
• Josh Harrison (PIT): 4-6, HR (4), 2 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R. Harrison was retired his first two times up, then proceeded to hit the ball really well. His homer made it 10-6 and set the stage for the comeback, and he scored the tying run in the top of the ninth after a two out double.

Mrs. Mitzel's Food Roundup
This section is written by Kristen Mitzel, and focuses on the food at the ballpark, because ballpark food.

"You can't go anywhere in Chicago without having a Vienna Beef hot dog. This is especially true at Wrigley, where the smell of grilled onions and other ballpark treats make the taste of a steamed bun and a Vienna Beef hot dog even more enjoyable. The nachos are your typical fast food nachos; they're good for a nice crunchy snack. Don't waste your money on the chocolate malt cup; it didn't taste like a malt at all. As a surprising addition, there was Nuts on Clark popcorn, but Garrett's would have been preferred. I'd like to see Wrigley get some Dippin' Dots as an ice cream option. Cheese curds can't hurt, either."

Final Thoughts

Photo by Kristen Mitzel

This was a long, long game. The sixth inning took forever, and even with the new pace of play rules, with some mid-inning pitching changes, it kind of dragged on. We sat in front of a couple Pirates fans, who put it pretty well: the Cubs need pitching, especially in the bullpen, but their offense is in great shape. They got contributions from all over today, including from starter Kyle Hendricks, who doubled (the lesson, as always: the designated hitter is for sissies). But really, any time you can pull out a game like that, especially in a manner where your fans are used to losing that way, you take it and run with it.

It's still very early in the season, but the Cubs have won five in a row and are on pace for a 93-win season. We'll have to see to what degree the league adjusts to guys like Bryant though, and whether he can adjust back. Overall though, there's a lot to be excited about on the North Side.

This might be it for me for Cubs baseball in person this season, though I will end up in Arlington for a Rangers game in August. Hopefully I'll get to see more of this team though, because this is fun!