In the tenth inning, Hoerner hits the game-winning single to give the Chicago Cubs a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
On Tuesday night, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-3 thanks to an infield single that Nico Hoerner hit in the 10th inning after rejoining the lineup.
In the tenth inning, the Braves brought in their infield with one out and runners on the corners. After that, Hoerner smacked a high cutter to the right side of Aaron Bummer’s (1-2) 0-2 pitch.
First baseman Matt Olson and second baseman Ozzie Albies both went for the grounder, but Albies had no play as Cody Bellinger raced home with the winning run. It was Hoerner’s first hit after missing six straight games due to left hamstring tightness.
“We get to two strikes, and obviously want to put a ball in play first,” Hoerner said. “Fortunate where it went.”
Mike Tauchman contributed with two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, who had lost three of their last four games. Luke Little (1-0) earned his first career win by pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball for Chicago’s bullpen.
Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. praised everyone for their excellent work.
Dansby Swanson, the shortstop for Chicago, was back in the lineup and managed two singles. Swanson was taken off the 10-day injured list after suffering a right knee strain that kept him out of commission.
Despite two outstanding defensive plays and a home run by Michael Harris II, the Atlanta Braves dropped their sixth straight game. On a warm and windy night at Wrigley Field, Orlando Arcia also blasted a two-run home run, while Charlie Morton struck out eight in five scoreless innings.
Morton remarked, “I wish I could have gone a couple more innings.” Leiter produced some strong relief work to hold off the Braves when they had a chance to take the lead in the eighth.
