Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/8/21): Cubs 4, Reds 1 – Heyward Walk-Off Bomb in 10th Seals Victory For Cubs

If you were disappointed in the loss last night ending a seven-game winning streak, you didn’t have to wait very long for the Cubs to get right back on the horse again. Jason Heyward crushed a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Cubs a dramatic 4-1 win at Wrigley.

Both Alec Mills and Vladimir Gutierrez yielded just one solo home run apiece, while both bullpens kept the other lineup off the board through nine innings. For the Cubs, Ian Happ hit an absolute tank in the bottom of the 1st that traveled 444 feet to the back of the right-field bleachers. For the Reds, it was Joey Votto hitting an opposite-field blast into the left-center bleachers in the top of the 4th.

The Cubs finally took control in the 10th. Willson Contreras started the inning on second, Patrick Wisdom singled to left moving Contreras to third, and then Heyward blasted a bomb to end the game in walk-off fashion. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Won

Mills pitched really well, the bullpen was great, and Happ and Heyward provided the offensive fireworks.

Key Moment

The Heyward shot off the Budweiser Scoreboard in right field, of course.

Stats That Matter

• The Cubs had only two hits through nine innings but added two big ones in the 10th.
• Alec Mills continues to be really good when he starts: 6 IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 3K.
• Happ has 10 home runs since August 13th, the most in the National League. Frank Schwindel is second over that span with 8.
• Happ and Heyward are now hitting .220 and .213 respectively; it wasn’t that long ago when both guys were well under the Mendoza line.

Bottom Line

The Cubs obviously didn’t like the sour taste of the narrow loss on Tuesday night, so I guess it’s time for another winning streak.  This team really has been a lot of fun to watch the past few weeks. I dig it.

On Deck

The Cubs get a day off before what could be a somewhat emotional weekend series against old friend Kris Bryant and the San Francisco Giants. Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to start for the Cubs, the Giants have yet to name a starter. Game time is 1:20pm CT and can be seen on Marquee Sports Network or MLB Network. Radio coverage is available via 670 The Score.