The Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, clinching the three-game series in a rubber match broadcast live on ESPN.
The game, which aired under the Cubs vs. Tigers, Wednesday 7/22, 7:10 CT live! banner, saw the cubs score swing three times on three explosive plays. Here is the ESPN exclusive analysis.
Play #1: Tigers Strike First
Detroit opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. A towering home run off Cubs starter Jameson Taillon changed the cubs score from 0-0 to 2-0.
The pitch was a fastball left over the plate. The Tigers’ bench erupted. The Cubs were forced to play catch-up immediately. Fan forums on Bleed Cubbie Blue noted the urgency: “We knew we had to answer back.”
Play #2: Seventh-Inning Rally
The Cubs trailed 4-2 entering the seventh. A double by cleanup hitter Seiya Suzuki and a subsequent throwing error by Tigers shortstop Javier Báez turned the game.
The sequence flipped the cubs score to 5-4. Statcast data showed Chicago’s win probability surged from 28% to 78% after the error. The Wrigley crowd roared as the go-ahead run scored.
Play #3: Ninth-Inning Stand
Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay entered in the ninth with a one-run lead. He faced the heart of the Tigers order.
Alzolay struck out slugger Kerry Carpenter on a 3-2 slider. On the next batter, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a diving catch to end the game. The final cubs score held at 5-4.
Postgame, Cubs manager Craig Counsell cited the bullpen’s execution under pressure. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch noted the costly defensive error.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the final cubs score in the rubber match against the Tigers?
- A: The final cubs score was 5-4, with Chicago winning the three-game series at Wrigley Field.
- Q: Which three explosive plays changed the game according to ESPN?
- A: The three plays were: 1) Tigers’ first-inning homer off Jameson Taillon, 2) Cubs’ seventh-inning rally led by Seiya Suzuki’s double and a throwing error by Javier Báez, 3) Closer Adbert Alzolay’s strikeout and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s diving catch in the ninth.
Extended Reading
For full box scores and play-by-play, refer to MLB.com’s coverage of the series finale. Fan reactions were compiled from the GameThread on Yahoo Sports and the Bleed Cubbie Blue community thread.