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Five Alive: Busch's HR Streak and Hoerner's Heroics Lift Cubs

Dive into how Nico's pivotal plays and Busch HR take the Cubs to an extra inning win!

The Leadoff Man

Good teams capitalize on crucial moments, and last night, the Cubs flashed signs of greatness in a thrilling late-night game in Arizona. Who doesn’t love a 9th-inning comeback and an extra-inning victory?

The game kicked off as a tense pitcher's duel, with the scoreboard quiet through the first seven innings. However, as the game progressed, Drew Smyly allowed the Diamondbacks to sneak ahead. In a dramatic top of the 9th inning, Nico Hoerner electrified the crowd by stealing home from second base on a wild pitch, and he didn’t stop there. Nico delivered the game-winning RBI in the 11th inning, capping off a nail-biting game. Meanwhile, Michael Busch’s streak of home runs in five straight games highlighted his phenomenal rise, particularly noteworthy for a player who struggled to find his place with the Dodgers. Although the game had its ups and downs, securing a win in the seventh game of a road trip was a particularly satisfying end to this series. Initially content with taking just one out of three games, I’m thrilled to admit that being proven wrong would never feel better!

The Stress started in the 8th! The Good Stress came in extra innings

Michael Busch's Power Surge Continues

Michael Busch homers for the fifth consecutive game, showcasing resilience and power under pressure. Nico Hoerner secures the win with stellar plays using the glove, bat, and on the basepaths 

As Seiya Suzuki lands on the IL with an oblique injury, Michael Busch steps up massively, slugging home runs in five straight games, each under high-pressure two-strike counts. This streak shines as a silver lining on an otherwise cloudy day for Cubs fans, who are worried about Suzuki's recurring injury woes

Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner, embodying the spirit of Jed Hoyer’s Cubs, pushed across the leading run with a high-stakes, shoulder-high hit into right field. His ability to master at-bats and adapt in any field position underscores the kind of versatile, high-IQ players the Cubs continue to cultivate.

Ben Brown strikes again! Smyly Frowns

Ben Brown steadies after initial struggles, limiting the opposition to just 1 hit over 6 innings, his fastball reaching speeds of 98.6 MPH

Despite a shaky start and several towering fly balls that had home run potential, Ben Brown found his rhythm, dialing up a fastball that nearly touched 99 MPH. The relief efforts were bolstered by Luke Little's electric arm, proving unhittable with a 97.3 MPH fastball in the seventh. However, Drew Smyly gave up a run in the 8th inning that gave Arizona a 2-1 lead.

Quiet Excellence in the Infield

Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner demonstrate infield mastery with standout plays and strategic base running. Often unsung heroes, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner's contributions at shortstop and second base, respectively, are nothing short of stellar.

Their intuitive playmaking was on full display, with Swanson cutting down a critical inning and Hoerner’s superb catch halting potential rallies. Their effortless execution of difficult plays highlights their exceptional talent and anchors the team's defensive success. Additionally, Hoerner’s daring dash from second base, evoking the excitement of a fighter jet in flight, captures the essence of Cubs baseball—bold and thrilling.

The Closer

Superfan Mark

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