Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/1/22): Cubs 6, Red Sox 5 – Cubs Stage Comeback, Win Third Straight

The Chicago Cubs welcomed the Boston Red Sox to Wrigley Field for the first time in a decade on Friday afternoon. Chicago fell behind early but unlike most of 2022, they were able to battle back and pull out a win.

Jarren Duran wasted no time putting Boston ahead Friday, hitting Adrian Sampson‘s first pitch of the game out for a home run. The Red Sox loaded the bases in the 2nd and light-hitting Jackie Bradley Jr. promptly unloaded them with a three-run double.

Former Cub Rich Hill was good early but ran out of gas in the 5th. Nelson Velázquez tripled home a run and two more scored to cut the edge to 4-3. Duran knocked in another tally with a single in the top of the 6th inning.

Chicago rallied to take the lead against Hansel Robles in the bottom the frame. Andrelton Simmons drew a rare walk and came home on a game-tying two-run blast from Christopher Morel. After a walk, double, and another walk loaded the bags, a Jake Diekman wild pitch scored Willson Contreras to put the home team up 6-5.

The Cubs bullpen held from there and David Robertson closed out the one-run victory. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

The Cubs drew nine walks on Friday and made the most of the six hits they had. Sampson and the rest of the Cubs staff did a good job keeping the Sox down after the early onslaught.

Eye on the Future

Morel has now homered in three consecutive games. P.J. Higgins continues to look pretty good getting on base three times on Friday. Velázquez demonstrated his big-time power just missing a home run on the triple.

Stats That Matter

• Overall a decent game for Sampson: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 4 K, and 1 BB.
• Ian Happ had three more hits and stays absolutely red-hot.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have not won three games in a row very often lately so this is a moment to savor. It was also good to see four rookies get starts on Friday.

On Deck

Chicago goes for the series win Saturday night at 6:15pm CT. Alec Mills takes on Josh Winckowski in a game airing exclusively on FOX.