AthleticsvsChicago Cubs
ATH 6/CHC 7
Things to say
Cubs edged the Athletics 7-6 at Wrigley.
01
opener
Cubs took it 7-6 at Wrigley, came down to the last at-bat. Athletics had every chance and couldn't punch it across. Classic one-run game where the pen decides it.
02
key player
Whoever was in the heart of the Cubs order earned their check today. You don't put up seven against a road staff without somebody barreling balls.
03
hot take
Athletics manager went to the pen too early, full stop. Starter had stuff left and they pulled the plug on him.
04
deep cut
Cubs are 33-30 and quietly hanging around .500 with a getaway-day W. That's the kind of game good teams steal.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if they can carry it into the next series — Wrigley in June, the wind tells you everything.
The recap
Cubs squeaked one out 7-6 at Wrigley in a back-and-forth that had the bleachers sweating all afternoon. The A's hung tough, traded blows inning for inning, but Chicago's bats kept answering every time it looked like the visitors might pull away.
Bullpen got dicey in the late innings — felt like the manager went to the pen too early and damn near coughed it up — but the heart of the order delivered when it mattered. One-run win on the North Side, and the Cubs climb three over .500.