Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/24/20): Cubs 9, Tigers 3 – Cubs Open Road Trip with 11,000th Regular Season Win
The Cubs have been through a dismal stretch recently, going 5-7 during their homestand and barely salvaging their weekend series against the White Sox with a 2-1 victory on Sunday. They looked to get back on track Monday against the fourth place Tigers to open a 10-game road trip and rebuild some of the division lead that eroded over the previous week.
Javier Báez smacked two home runs, the first a long drive to right-center, and looked more like himself at the plate. David Bote also had a solo shot and drove in four runs to ice the franchise’s 11,000th regular season victory. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Won
Alec Mills had a quality start, allowing three earned runs in seven innings, while Cubs batters wore out Tigers rookie Casey Mize. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft exited the game after throwing 76 pitches and allowing three earned runs in just 3.1 innings.
Key Moments
Bote came to bat with two outs and two on in a scoreless tie in the 2nd inning, then laced a line drive single into center field to open the scoring.
After walking future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera to load the bases with one away in the 3rd inning, Mills limited the damage to one run on a ground ball by Jeimer Candelario. Mills would not allow any more Tigers to reach base until the 7th inning.
Stats that Matter
- Mills was impressive, allowing three runs on seven hits with just one walk and seven strikeouts in 7.0 IP.
- The top of the order had better production as the first three hitters went 4-for-13 with four RBI and three runs scored.
- Báez had a great night, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored on his two homers.
- Bote was also 3-for-5 with four RBI and one run scored on his solo blast to left in the 4th inning.
- Ryan Tepera relieved Mills with an eighth consecutive scoreless outing, striking out two Tigers batters. His ERA stands at 2.38 for the season.
Bottom Line
The Cubs started their road trip on the right note, steamrolling the Tigers with their winning formula of a quality start and powerful bats.
On Deck
The series at continues at 6:10pm CT on Tuesday as Tyler Chatwood (2-1, 5.40 ERA) tries to bounce back from a rough outing against the Royals on August 6 and a subsequent IL stint. He will face Spencer Turnbull (2-2, 3.65 ERA), who making his sixth start of the season. You can catch all the action on 670 The Score or Marquee Sports Network.
