Fraze, Key & Pitching Carry Bucs to 2-1 Win Over Chicago

Yep, Willy's pitching: Anthony Rizzo homered in the first frame. Apparently it was contagious, as Fraze and Ke'Bryant Hayes did likewise for the Bucs off Kyle Hendricks. The second went by quietly. A walk was all the damage Chicago could muster in the third. The Pirates got a two-out rap by Redbeard that lead to nada. With one gone in the fourth, the Cubbies got a two-bagger and walk, but Trevor got a pair of routine put-aways to get through unscathed. Pittsburgh went down in order. There was no action in the fifth. With two gone in the sixth, Cameron Maybin doubled on Willy's 101st pitch, and that brought in Austin Davis. He walked the first hitter and then the Cubbies ran a double steal, but a fly to the track left a zero on the board. Colin Moran doubled with one away, followed in quick order by a Gregory walk and Joey O's 6-4-3 DP.

Fraze & Hayes got the Bucs all they needed in a hurry - 2019 Topps Heritage

Nik Turley came on in the seventh and gave up an infield knock with two outs, between two at 'em balls that saved his bacon. Hendricks had another easy frame and is at just 86 pitches. Chris Stratton toed the rubber in the eighth. He walked Kyle Schwarber, who was replaced by Billy Hamilton, who stole second with two down. A punch out left him there. Fraze and Key banged back-to-back raps but Fraze continued to have his running woes; he was ruled thrown out at third on appeal (looked like he got in, but...). Craig Kimbrel was handed the horsehide and finished the inning off routinely. Ric Rod was tasked with closing out the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Nico Hoerner that Rodriguez couldn't quite handle. A wild pitch moved Hoerner to second with two away, but RR got Ian Happ swinging on a 3-2, 95 MPH sinker. Raise the Roger.

Two in a row! Dunno if the pitching is jelling 10 weeks too late or if the Cubs can't hit either (they did strand nine and went 0-for-7 w/RISP), but it's nice to get a couple of W's under the belt...although that first pick would be sweet, too.

Notes:

• The Bucs got two hits each from the top of the order: Fraze, Key and Redbeard. They got one more from the other six guys (from the surprisingly steady Jake Stallings).
• When Fraze and Key went boom back-to-back to lead off the game, it was the fifth time in Bucco history the Bucs opened with homers. The last time was in 2013 when Jose Tabata and Neil Walker turned the trick.
• Even with last night's loss, the Cubs were guaranteed a playoff spot after the Phils dropped a doubleheader to the Nats.
• Oneil Cruz's initial hearing, scheduled for today, was pushed back to Friday at the request of his attorneys.