Taillon, Swanson lead Cubs to another win over Astros |
CHICAGO — It's hard to believe that for most of the 2023 season,
Jameson Taillon was the Chicago Cubs' (15-9) worst starter. Then came the final two months of the season, when he not only turned his season around but emerged as the team's best and most consistent starter down the stretch.
That strong run to end the season has carried over to 2024 as Taillon continues to pitch well. Making just his second start since returning from the IL, Taillon continued to do his thing against the Houston Astros (7-18) as another fast start by the Cubs lifted them to the series win over the Astros 4-3. The win also guarantees that they will leave Wrigley Field this weekend with another winning homestand, which is all you can ask for. In what was a carbon copy of Tuesday, when the Cubs' offense erupted for five first-inning runs, all of their offense came in the first as they jumped on Spencer Arrighetti early and often. It all started with Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ picking up a pair of singles to put runners on the corners while the Michael Busch Sacrifice fly gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead, and they would never look back. With Christopher Morel taking a walk to extend the inning, Dansby Swanson delivered the big blow and what will be considered the game-winning hit as his three-run blast closed out a four-run first inning with the Cubs in front 4-1. Dans-be gone baseball ✌️ #YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/OGhoqwKWel #Cubs Dansby Swanson hits his 3rd homer of the year. pic.twitter.com/bQPggTaYcB Little did they know, those would be all the runs they would get as Arrighetti labored through 3 2/3 despite striking out seven. Anytime you are given a significant lead early in the game, things become much easier, as Taillon was dialed in from the start. Sure, he may not have been as crisp this time out compared to the last, but with only two runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings, he continues to pitch well despite not having a single Spring Training start. Houston broke through in the third off Taillon, with Jon Singleton picking up a leadoff single. He would advance to second on a Victor Caratini walk before a series of errors led to the Astros first run and facing a 4-1 deficit. Houston would tack on a second run later in the inning, as this was now a 4-2 game. One inning later, Taillon was in trouble as the Astros loaded the bases with two outs. One pitch away from getting out of that jam, Taillon did what he needed to as he induced an inning-ending force out to keep the Cubs in front 4-2. The same unlucky fortunes can be said for the Cubs in their half of the fourth, with Yan Gomes and Hoerner picking up a pair of singles while Mike Tauchman walked and loaded the bases with two down. Needing a hit to break the game open, the Cubs came away empty-handed as Shawn Dubin struck out Ian Happ to end the inning and kept the score at 4-2. Looking to get through six innings for the second straight start, Taillon retired the first two hitters he faced in the sixth before surrendering a two-out double to Victor Caratini, which forced the call to the pen. In came Adbert Alzolay, who closed things out in the sixth before opening the seventh with an Alex Bregman flyout. Luke Little took over from there and, with a pair of strikeouts, sent the game to the bottom of the seventh at that same 4-2 score. In what was a battle of the bullpens, Houston did a great job of silencing the Cubs offense while it was up to the Cubs pen to do the same. Mark Leiter JR has been the team's best reliever all season, but after a pair of singles to Yainer Diaz and Jeremy Pena to being the eighth, Houston had a pair of runners on and was threatening to do some damage. Hot corner hops!@christopmorel5 | #YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/L5G5JxVrRV Nothing would come from that as Leiter buckled down to retire the next three hitters and kept the Cubs in front 4-2. Leits. Out. pic.twitter.com/VztDUxLTFH Despite the Astros' record, the Cubs know all too well that this is a very talented group of offensive players, so any additional runs would be great to have. Trying to get those runs off Ryan Pressley is another story. He made quick work of the Cubs in the bottom of the eighth, as they were down to their final three outs, with a familiar face in Hector Neris waiting for them in the ninth. Neris has been one of the Cubs under the biggest microscope right now as he has struggled since signing with the team although he has looked better of late. Surrendering a leadoff homer to Jose Altuve to begin the ninth wasn't a great sign as the hard contact continued against Neris, with Houston pulling within 4-3. That homer seemed to awaken Neris as he went on to pitch the best he has all season and retired the final three batters he faced to secure his second save and lifted the Cubs to another win. Hoerner continued his recent run of great play, as he led the Cubs with two hits and is now hitting .282. Tauchman. Swanson and Happ were three of the others to have hits, with Swanson delivering the three RBIs. The Cubs will look for the sweep Thursday afternoon when Javier Assad takes on Justin Verlander at 1:20. Dansby Swanson homers & the #Cubs get a big performance from Jameson Taillon to secure the series against the Astros. pic.twitter.com/gH5fhFzhlx Team [W]in 👏 .@JTaillon50 wasn't fazed by the cold. pic.twitter.com/PrwyB9Cx8x
Swanson: HR, 3 RBI, R
Taillon: 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K
Cubs 'pen: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 K pic.twitter.com/kG1W4sB5nZ
