The third time may very well be the allure for Moisés Ballesteros.
The Chicago Cubs introduced up the 21-year-old catcher from Triple-A Iowa from Could 13-20 and July 30 to Aug. 1, and he picked up 18 at-bats in six video games however wasn’t capable of make a lot of an influence.
However he was referred to as again up once more Tuesday and belted his first major-league triple Friday and first big-league dwelling run Saturday in a 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in entrance of a Wrigley Area crowd of 39,712 on a day the staff honored retiring nice Anthony Rizzo.
The truth is, the 2 turned linked with the swing of Ballesteros’ bat within the second inning. The left-handed rookie tagged a Drew Rasmussen providing into the left-field bleachers, proper the place Rizzo was sitting. The ball bounced off the Gold Glover’s proper hand, however he was capable of get it again so he might current it to Ballesteros.
“I’m going to provide him a bat in appreciation for him getting my dwelling run ball,” Ballesteros stated by an interpreter, including he’ll autograph it for Rizzo.
Rizzo’s misplay of the ball made loads of spotlight reveals.
“He stated that’s why he’s retired — he can’t catch them anymore,” left fielder Ian Happ stated.
Whereas the Cubs (84-64) have their catching state of affairs locked in with Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire, Ballesteros has served because the designated hitter for the opening two video games of the Rays collection. The Cubs might use some offensive punch as they’ve struggled because the All-Star break.
“He’s had some good ABs and he’s hitting the ball exhausting,” Happ stated of Ballesteros. “He’s been a superb hitter on the minor-league degree and now he can present it right here.”
Added supervisor Craig Counsell: “He’s a proficient, proficient younger hitter and he’s getting an opportunity to play in some massive second.
The Cubs bullpen was red-hot getting into the day, having allowed no runs and one hit within the three earlier video games. However 4 relievers gave up two runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings Saturday, together with Junior Caminero’s forty third dwelling run of the season within the eighth off Porter Hodge to knot the sport at 4. Then Nick Fortes tagged Brad Keller with a ninth-inning solo shot that turned out to be the distinction for the Rays (73-75).
Mount Carmel graduate Bob Seymour, a rookie first baseman, hit his first major-league triple and later scored for the Rays.
With the loss, the Cubs magic quantity to clinch a Nationwide League wild-card berth remained at seven, pending video games later Saturday.
It hasn’t been a superb collection for groups taking an early lead. The Rays led 3-0 after one inning Friday and the Cubs got here again for a 6-4 win. The Cubs had a 3-0 lead after 4 innings Saturday.
Beginning pitcher Colin Rea appeared sharp for some time, giving up one run by 5 innings.
Opposing batters had been hitting .340 in opposition to Rea the third time by the order, and that went up Saturday. The Rays went 2-for-4 in opposition to him and scored two sixth-inning runs to tie the sport earlier than he exited.
With the Cubs going through at the least six right-handed beginning pitchers in a row and Kyle Tucker nonetheless on the shelf with a calf harm, the staff recalled Owen Caissie from Triple-A Iowa and despatched outfielder Kevin Alcantara down. However Caissie may wish a while off.
He went 0-for-2 on Saturday and was changed within the sixth inning. He made a tumbling catch within the third inning and crashed into the wall, bumping his head and inflicting concussion signs.
“He received step by step worse after working into the wall,” Counsell stated. “About 45 minutes later, he couldn’t proceed.”
Harm report
Catcher Miguel Amaya will get in some rehab work at Triple-A Iowa beginning Tuesday.
Amaya had been on the injured checklist from Could 25 to Aug. 12 with a left indirect pressure. He was activated on Aug. 13 and suffered a left ankle sprain after singling and touchdown awkwardly on the first-base bag, which despatched him again to the IL.
“The plan is for him to DH early within the week,” Counsell stated. “He’s not 100% however we expect it’s vital to get him in some recreation motion. We are going to get him to Iowa and see the place we’re on the finish of the week and see if we are able to get him in some video games catching.
“Getting him dwell hitting and bats in opposition to higher-level competitors is obligatory if we need to contemplate him. He wants recreation motion.”
Outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, who has a 19-game on-base streak, missed his second straight recreation due to sickness.
“He’s not doing nice,” Counsell stated. “Positively his standing is in query for (Sunday).”
Jeff Vorva is a contract reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
