The Cubs played a wild one in Baltimore, blowing an 8-0 lead before winning it on an Addison Russell home run in the top of the ninth inning. All I can say is that after allowing the Orioles to tie the score, they more or less had to win it to save the season.
The Cubs continued some of habits that limited their progress in the first half of the season, primarily the weak starting pitching and occasional bullpen lapses. This one was on Montgomery, who sailed through three innings before he weakened the second time through the order, was hit hard in the fifth, an inning he was unable to compete. The wreckage continued with the appearance of Justin Grimm, who was just plain awful. Grimm is becoming more and more expendable as the first man out of the pen in the middle innings.
The Cubs bats were certainly alive Friday night. They hit five home runs. The thing is that was the only way they scored, which is a habit they cannot sustain. By the way, I've never been to Camden Yards, but I would be curious about its dimensions. The ball just flies out of there. No wonder Baltimore usually leads the league in home runs.
On a positive note, the Cubs played great defense, getting several spectacular plays.
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