Ball Don’t Lie, Cubs Lose After Gift from Umpire
WOWWOWOWOWOWOWOW! Man, Cubs fans were certainly all over home plate umpire Chad Fairchild Thursday night because of his inconsistent strike zone, but there’s no denying that the Cubs got bailed out big time on Opening Day.
With two outs and runners at first and second in the top of the ninth inning in a 2-2 game, Rangers closer José Leclerc threw a changeup to Miles Mastrobuoni that the left-handed hitter swung at. The ball passed Texas catcher Jonah Heim and Michael Busch started sprinting from second base. Heim started to argue with the home plate ump, saying that it was a foul ball, but Fairchild shook his head no and Busch ended up scoring to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead.
That play is not reviewable, so the Cubs took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Unfortunately Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay could not get the save, as he allowed a game-tying home run to Travis Jankowski, who pinch hit.
The Cubs were a few feet away from a Christopher Morel grand slam in the 10th inning, but he ended up popping up to end the scoring threat in extra innings.
Then, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, Heim came through for the Rangers to walk it off in Texas.
Tough loss for the Cubs, but right now the most concerning thing is the status of Justin Steele. The Cubs’ ace left the game in the fifth inning after fielding a bunt. The Cubs said Steele has tightness in his left hamstring.
Cubs have Friday off. Kyle Hendricks will start the second game of the series on Saturday.