The Rundown: Cubs Pick Up 12th Walk-Off Win, Soler and Motte Head to DL, La Stella and Rosscup Return, Russell Day-to-Day
Yesterday was a very exciting day for Cubs fans.
Jon Lester followed up one of his worst performances last week with one of his best. He made it 8.2 innings against the Indians without surrendering a run. Unfortunately he allowed the game to be tied 1-1 before being able to complete the shutout.
Hector Rondon kept it tied, and then Sparkle did his thing. Another walk-off win for the Cubs (their 12th overall), and it was Kris Bryant’s second walk-off home run on the year.
So many amazing moments this season, and this is yet another.
DL problems
Yesterday was not all smiles, however, as the Cubs placed Jorge Soler (oblique) and Jason Motte (shoulder) on the disabled list before the game.
Soler was removed late in Sunday’s game against the Braves, but I didn’t think anything of it. Soler has been taken out for a defensive upgrade in the past, but apparently an injury was at play here. The injury reportedly occurred on a throw Sunday.
Soler will probably miss a significant amount of time — oblique injuries are not easy to overcome for a baseball player. The injury is really unfortunate, but I don’t think it will be devastating to the Cubs offense. Soler has been good this year, but not exactly great either.
Chris Coghlan, who has been excellent at the plate this year, will move back to the outfield.
I feel bad that Soler will be missing most (if not all) of the rest of the year, but I don’t think it’s going to prevent the Cubs from succeeding in the postseason — assuming they get there.
To replace Soler and Motte’s spots on the roster, the Cubs called up infielder Tommy La Stella and LHP Zac Rosscup.
La Stella has missed all but two games this year with an oblique injury of his own. He got the start yesterday at second base.
Russell day-to-day
Addison Russell was out of the lineup yesterday due to his fiance going into labor, but he’s also dealing with a groin strain.
For now Russell is day-to-day, so hopefully he’ll be back in there soon. The Cubs were content with sliding Starlin Castro back to shortstop, with Tommy La Stella at second base.
If they were thinking of a Javier Baez call-up to take over at short, I think they would have done it yesterday, so it looks like Baez still won’t be up until September.
Other notes
* Javier Baez is going to tough to keep down if he has more games in Iowa like last night’s. Javy had an a monster of a game, going 4-for-4 with a walk, home run, double and three runs scored. He also stole a base for good measure.
* Dexter Fowler was hit in the hand late in yesterday’s game. He came back out to center field for the 9th inning, but it’ll be something to monitor today. Fingers crossed that everything is OK with him.
* The Cubs have signed outfielder Quintin Berry to a minor-league deal. Berry hasn’t played much in the majors the past few years, but he appeared in 94 games with the Tigers in 2012 and stole 21 bases.