After two weeks of sky-is-falling talk from (a segment of) Cubs fans, the defending champs got something to cheer about Wednesday evening.
Trailing the Brewers by a run in the ninth inning, the Cubs rallied for four off Milwaukee closer Neftali Feliz, eventually walking off on a three-run homer from shortstop Addison Russell.
It was a beauty.
"OK Addi, we just need one."@Addison_Russell: pic.twitter.com/N4ENndUyao
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 19, 2017
Yep, Russell knew it was gone the moment he hit it.
All the bat flips. pic.twitter.com/MUxzmIveyM
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 19, 2017
Chicago’s ninth-inning rally was swift and efficient. With one out already, Jon Jay walked, Miguel Montero singled and Kris Bryant knocked an RBI hit to tie the game. After an Anthony Rizzo fielder’s choice, Russell ended the game in style.
The win gives the Cubs a series victory over the Brewers and improves them to 8-7 on the season but, just as importantly, it provides a spark for a team that didn’t get out of the gates the way its fans hoped it would. Wednesday also offered extremely positive signs about Chicago’s sometimes-shaky bullpen, which threw four scoreless innings after a short start from Kyle Hendricks.
It’s just one win, but maybe now Cubs fans will take a deep breath and admit their team is going to be just fine.
