Cubs' offense 'clicks as an entire group' to win series vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Left fielder Michael Conforto got the big hit for the Cubs in their series-winning 6-2 victory over the Rays on Wednesday.
With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, Conforto delivered a two-run double that — combined with a Rays error that allowed another run to score — broke the game open.
Conforto said he didn’t get off to the start he wanted to at Wrigley Field because he was consistently late at the plate. He tweaked his routine and has emphasized getting his hands set and pushing the contact point out in front.
“We got a big hit today,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We jumped on a big pitch, and then we kept the pressure on that inning, too.”
Second baseman Nico Hoerner followed up with an RBI double and later scored on a throwing error by Hunter Feduccia.
The Cubs took advantage of the Rays’ shaky defense. There was some good fortune, but the Cubs had endured some bad hitting luck of late.
Hoerner has been hot, extending his hitting streak to four games. Entering Wednesday, he was batting .350 with a 1.019 OPS in April, showing he was unaffected by the six-year, $141 million deal he signed last month. Hoerner led off the game with his first homer of the season and went 3-for-5.
“I don’t go into at-bats trying to hit home runs,” he said. “But I do want to get pitches that I can drive. I want to hit balls hard, high line drives, preferably to the pull side in the air — but not getting away from the things that make [me] myself.”
The Cubs totaled 15 runs in the last two games, a boon after a slow start to the season. Given the injuries to the pitching staff, the lineup will need to stay productive.
“It’s super uplifting,” Hoerner said. “Whether it’s the beginning of the year, the middle of the year, it’s always a huge deal when you have games where you click as an entire group.”
Bullpen woes
The Cubs’ bullpen hasn’t performed up to standards. Entering Wednesday, the unit ranked 11th in the majors in ERA (4.57). Relievers can thank the Cubs’ defense for the figure being that low because their expected ERA is 5.52.
Phil Maton’s struggles are troubling because of the faith the organization put in him by giving him a multiyear deal (two years, $14.5 million). Relievers are volatile from year to year, which is why president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has eschewed pouring big money into the group. Maton allowed four runs in 1⅔ innings Monday and Tuesday against the Rays.
Still, Counsell said, “Phil’s one of those guys that you know you’re going to count on for big innings.”
Injury update
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki is on track to make his season debut Friday against the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Suzuki has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season because of a sprained knee he suffered in the World Baseball Classic.
• Left fielder Ian Happ was out of the lineup Wednesday with a bruised left heel. Counsell said that Happ bruised it Monday and that he was available off the bench.