AthleticsvsChicago Cubs
ATH 5/CHC 4
Things to say
Athletics beat the Cubs 5-4 in 10 innings at Wrigley.
01
opener
Cubs blew it in extras. Tied it up late, then the A's just punched one through in the tenth. Wrigley was dead quiet by the end.
02
key player
Whoever the A's had at the top of the order was a menace all night — kept getting on, kept turning the lineup over.
03
hot take
Counsell went to the pen way too early. You've got a starter cruising and you yank him in the sixth? That's how you lose a one-run game.
04
deep cut
Ten innings on a getaway day at Wrigley with the wind blowing in — nobody left the yard, which tells you everything about how the bullpens were locating.
05
exit
Cubs drop to 32-30, need to figure it out quick before the division pulls away.
The recap
Athletics stole one at Wrigley, 5-4 in extras. Cubs couldn't punch across the winner in nine, and the bullpen finally cracked in the tenth after the manager went to the pen a hair too early.
Heart of the order went quiet when it mattered, and ATH made them pay with a clutch knock to flip it. Tough loss on a getaway-feeling day in Chicago.