Local News

Kiermaier lifts Rays over Cubs in 10th

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Kiermaier hit a go-ahead RBI single in 
the  10th  to give the Tampa  Bay Rays a 4-3  win over the Chicago Cubs in the 
first match of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. 

After  Logan  Forsythe flied out to  start the frame, Desmond Jennings and Ben 
Zobrist  hit back-to-back  singles off Hector Rondon (3-4), putting runners on 
the  corners. Kiermaier's line drive into center field scored Jennings for the 
game-winning run. 

Matt  Joyce  also had  a pinch-hit RBI  single, which came  in the eighth, and 
Jennings  hit a solo home run in the third, as the Rays won for just the third 
time in their last eight attempts. 

Brad  Boxberger (3-1) let in one run in the ninth to blow the save, but struck 
out two during a perfect 10th inning to pick up the win. 

"I'm  really proud  of our  guys  for fighting  back," said  Rays manager  Joe 
Maddon.  "[Boxberger] was  outstanding again. It was just unfortunate, but how 
about  him coming back  and getting the thick part of the batting order? Great 
job." 

Ryan  Sweeney singled in  the Cubs' run in the bottom of the ninth to send the 
game  to extra  innings. Starlin Castro and  John Baker drove in the other two 
runs for Chicago, which lost for only the fourth time in its last 11 games. 

Newly called up Cubs prospect Javier Baez went 1-for-5 with a single and a run 
scored  in  his home  debut after hitting  three home runs  in his first three 
major  league games,  including a homer in  the 12th to lift the Cubs over the 
Rockies on Tuesday. 

The Cubs scored  one run in the first  to take an early lead. Baez hit a line 
drive  to  left for a  single, then  Anthony Rizzo doubled  with a fly ball to 
right. Castro singled to right, pushing Baez across. 

Jennings'  leadoff  homer in  the top  of the third  tied the  game at one run 
apiece. 

Rays  starter Chris Archer struck out Luis Valbuena to start the bottom of the 
fourth,  but walked  the next  batter, Arismendy  Alcantara. Archer  fielded a 
ground  ball  hit by Sweeney, but  his throw to  second was off the mark. With 
runners on first and second, Baker hit a line drive to right field that scored 
Alcantara. 

After  allowing  the home run  to Jennings, Tsuyoshi  Wada, who started on the 
mound  for  the Cubs, retired  the next 12 batters  before giving up a leadoff 
triple to Sean Rodriguez in the seventh, ending his night. Brain Schlitter got 
Yunel  Escobar to ground  out, then Curt Casali to ground one to short. Castro 
fielded  the  ball and threw home,  but Rodriguez slid  in front of the tag of 
Baker at the plate for the run, tying the game. 

"Wada  threw well  today," said Cubs manager  Rick Renteria.  "He deserved  a 
better  fate... We almost got through the (seventh inning), but obviously they 
scored  there. He was very effective, he mixed his pitches and he got some big 
outs when he needed to." 

Jennings struck out to start the eighth before Zobrist doubled on a line drive 
to  left, and  Joyce's line drive into  center field plated Zobrist to put the 
Rays up 3-2. 

Pinch-hitter  Justin Ruggiano  singled on a ground ball to right field to open 
the  bottom of  the ninth,  and  Alcantara moved  him  over to  second with  a 
sacrifice  bunt. Sweeney  hit a  ground ball  past the  diving glove  of Logan 
Forsythe at second for a game-tying single. 

                                   Game Notes 

Castro  has  61 RBI  on the  season ... Schlitter  was given  a blown save for 
allowing  an inherited run  to score in the seventh ... The Rays finished just 
2-for-11  with  runners in scoring position  and left seven men on base, while 
the Cubs were  3-for-8 and left six on  ... The Rays are 5-6 since going on a 
season-high nine game winning streak from July 12-26. 

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Weather - Sponsored By:

TAYLORVILLE WEATHER

Local News

Facebook Feed - Sponsored By: