The Major League debut for Chicago Cubs rookie Javier Baez did not start off well, but it ended just fine. After going hitless in his first five at bats, Baez came up in the top of the 12th at Coors Field and launched the game-winning home run (1), a solo shot into the landscaped bullpen behind the right-center-field fence. Baez connected off Boone Logan, the fifth pitcher he saw, to give the Cubs a 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Baez’s first Major League at bat did not go as well; he struck out. He then grounded out and struck out again in his next two at bats. Then, things got interesting in the top of the seventh.
The Cubs started the inning trailing 3-1. Teams come back from deficits quite often, but the Cubs did so in a very unusual way. The Cubs scored three runs to take a 4-3 lead, but they did so without the benefit of a hit. The Cubs drew six walks — six — from three different Rockies pitchers. Welington Castillo and Chris Coghlan brought in runs with their walks, and Luis Valbuena, who also walked, scored on a sacrifice fly from Chris Valaika.
Following yet another pitching change, Baez smacked a vicious line drive to right field only to have Brandon Barnes run it down. Any lift on that drive would have meant a grand slam for Baez and an 8-3 lead for the Cubs. Baez, though, would get his chance for heroics later, and he would come through.
The teams traded runs in the 11th to make the score 5-5 and force the 12th inning.
Expect many more home runs to come from Javier Baez — maybe not right away, but they will come. Tuesday night’s game was his first in the Bigs, and he has the rest of the season to adjust to Major League pitching. Baez is the second (Arismendy Alcantara) in a long line of talented young prospects to debut this year (or next year), and Cub fans await them all eagerly. Baez turned his tough start into success, and the Cubs as a team look to follow suit very soon.
PHOTO CREDIT: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images Sport
