They’ve played many wild games at Wrigley Field through the years, but Tuesday night’s contest deserves a spot somewhere on that list.
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Seattle Mariners, 14-9, certainly not the highest-scoring game in Wrigley history but still a treat for fans.
Leading the way was the unlikeliest hero, Nelson Velázquez. The 24-year-old right fielder made his 2023 debut Monday after being recalled from Triple-A Iowa, primarily for defensive purposes.
Velázquez got the start Tuesday night, and he brought out the lumber, going 3-for-4, with three runs and four runs batted in, thanks to a third-inning grand slam. That blast gave the Cubs an 8-7 lead, after they trailed 7-0 (it really was a crazy game).
Nelson Velazquez grand slam gives the Cubs an 8-7 lead in the 3rd!
The Mariners led 7-0. ⚾️💣 https://t.co/cgLWFFL7pD
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 12, 2023
With only 185 career at-bats entering the game, no one saw this outburst coming from Velázquez.
The two teams combined for 28 hits and four home runs. The score could have been even higher — the Cubs and Mariners stranded a total of 34 runners.
The MLB world shared some great reactions on the wild affair at Wrigley and Velázquez’s huge night. Check out this video taken from several blocks away, after his grand slam.
This is how the crowd at Wrigley Field sounded a few blocks away as Nelson Velazquez hit a Grand Slam in the 3rd inning as the @cubs erase a seven-run deficit to take an 8-7 lead over the Mariners. pic.twitter.com/8l7AIPr3CQ
— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 12, 2023
The call by Miguel Esparza on the Cubs’ Spanish broadcast is incredible, too.
Nelson Velasquez 🇵🇷 Grandslam! #LaBotoooo #Cubs #NextStartsHere pic.twitter.com/UgVprbklNQ
— Miguel Esparza (@Miguelsvoice) April 12, 2023
Pretty sure Nelson Velázquez knew this wasn't landing anytime soon pic.twitter.com/hSAajBV7LP
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) April 12, 2023
Nelson Velasquez has a Grand Slam, Single, Walk, and Double tonight. He’s basically telling David Ross “I DARE YOU to send me back to Iowa.” I cant blame him. Who would want to go to Iowa, right @davemiller7? #GoCubsGo
— Jason Sampler (@DrSampler) April 12, 2023
Remember yesterday when we took out Nelson Velasquez so Tucker Barnhart could bunt?#cubs
— Dr. Dux Delendum Est 💉💉 + 💉 + 💉 (@Very_Stable_G) April 12, 2023
[Photo credit: MLB]
