CHICAGO (AP) — Willson Contreras drew a standing ovation in possibly his previous property sport at Wrigley Field, then keyed an early burst as the Chicago Cubs conquer the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 Tuesday for their season-large sixth straight acquire.
Contreras, one particular of three users left from the 2016 Entire world Series title workforce, tipped his cap right after becoming cheered at the plate his 1st time up. He hit a smooth one to heart area in a three-run first inning off Bryse Wilson (1-6).
“When I started out hearing it the 1st at-bat, it was amazing,” said Contreras, who hugged his teammates and coaches on the subject after the activity. “I tried using to get pleasure from it as substantially as I could and took it all in.”
Contreras, an All-Star catcher who can develop into a totally free agent soon after this period, has acknowledged this could be his past homestand as a member of the Cubs ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline. He saluted the lovers with a fist in his previous at-bat in the seventh but struck out against reliever Tyler Beede.
“Having traded to a team that is going to compete is very fantastic,” Contreras mentioned. “If the Cubs get a excellent package deal for me to make this workforce superior, they’re heading to do it.
“I’d be more than pleased to assistance a distinctive team to get to the World Sequence. If it won’t transpire, I’ll be far more than satisfied to stay right here with my teammates and try out to discover a way to make everyone better and retain getting a great chief on and off the discipline,” he said.
Representatives from the Blue Jays and White Sox ended up in attendance.
Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner strike consecutive doubles in the initial to give Keegan Thompson (8-4) ample operate aid. Suzuki provided insurance plan with a homer in the eighth off reliever Will Crowe.
Thompson went a profession-substantial 7 innings.
“That was as good as we’ve seen Keegan,” manager David Ross mentioned. “He proceeds to construct.”
Mychal Givens pitched the ninth to make his next help save. Closer David Robertson wasn’t utilised for the next consecutive game just after earning a get and help save Saturday and Sunday at Philadelphia.
“He was not an possibility,” said Ross, who informed Robertson of his intentions before the recreation.
The Cubs have (40-57) have their ideal winning streak given that getting seven in a row previous Aug. 31-Sept. 6.
The Pirates have lost 4 of five.
Thompson retired 16 of 18 batters just before Hoerner committed a fielding error at shortstop with one particular out in the seventh, and 6-foot-7 rookie Oneil Cruz adopted afterwards with a two-operate homer to heart industry.
Thompson finished the inning without further more hurt to leading his earlier superior of 6 1/3 innings in opposition to the Reds on June 28.
Considering that the All-Star split, Cubs starters are 2- with a 2.03 Era. Thompson has permitted two attained runs or much less in five of his past 7 starts off.
Just after Hoerner’s double, Wilson retired 14 of the subsequent 17 hitters.
Thanks FOR THE Reminiscences?
Ross acknowledged that Contreras looked distracted throughout Monday’s video game, in which he lose tears later after getting asked to mirror on his seven seasons with the staff.
“When he arrived up, he was a happy younger man, good deal of smiling, fitting in quite effortlessly, showing off the complete cannon he had all the time,” Ross stated of Contreras, who made his debut halfway via the 2016 title time.
That was Ross’ closing time as a player, and he recalled Contreras using about his distinct duties of catching veteran left-hander Jon Lester.
“It was a major offer when he caught Jon,” Ross stated. “I know that was one thing he took satisfaction in and in all probability figured out a ton. I believe you study in the moment as much as I have seen a advancement in him in staying equipped to study the match.”
UP Upcoming
The Pirates will send RHP Zach Thompson (3-7, 4.64 Period) when they open a 4-video game series Thursday towards the Phillies.
The Cubs will get started LHP Justin Steele (4-6, 4.02) in the first video game of a 4-sport collection Thursday from the Giants. Steele allowed a single run in five innings in a 15-2 acquire Friday more than the Phillies.
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