Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/18/24): Cubs 1, Pirates 0 – Shōta Scintillating, Morel Walks It Off
The Cubs and Pirates battled on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field in what turned out to be a classic pitchers’ duel. Neither team got on the scoreboard through the first eight innings of the game, setting the stage for Chicago to pull off a dramatic victory in the final at-bat.
Shōta Imanaga continued the remarkable start to his Cubs career on Saturday, throwing seven more shutout frames with seven strikeouts. The Pirates’ own left-handed starter, Bailey Falter, was able to match Imanaga zero for zero.
Mark Leiter Jr. and Héctor Neris each pitched a 1-2-3 inning in relief after Imanaga came out of the game. Chicago was able to load the bases in the bottom of the 8th, but Patrick Wisdom struck out to end the threat.
Cody Bellinger hit a ground-rule double down the left field line against Pirates closer David Bednar with one out in the 9th. Christopher Morel then lined a single right back up the middle and Bellinger slid home safely after catcher Joey Bart dropped the throw at the plate and the Cubs walked it off 1-0. (Box score)
BALLGAME! CUBS WIN! pic.twitter.com/Zr417Cb3EP
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 18, 2024
Key Moment
Morel was able to lay off a couple of nasty split-fingers from Bednar to work the count full before singling. The throw home from Michael A. Taylor appeared to beat Bellinger to the plate but the ball was knocked away. The play was reviewed and replays indicated the Cubs outfielder may have touched the plate before the tag anyway and he was confirmed to be safe.
Why the Cubs Won
This was an outstanding all-around effort by a pitching staff that was able to overcome a very weak offensive performance. They kept the Pirates down just long enough to scratch out the winning run.
Stats That Matter
- It’s getting hard to come up with new ways to describe just how good Imanaga has been: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 7 K, and 1 BB. The last pitcher to start so well in his rookie year was Fernando Valenzuela.
- Morel had a walk in addition to his big hit and handled every single play at third base easily. His all-around growth this season has been outstanding.
- Bellinger is without a doubt the Cubs’ best hitter and he proved it again Saturday.
Bottom Line
Imanaga has unexpectedly developed into the staff ace and Craig Counsell‘s team has really needed that with all the injuries and pitching struggles so far in 2024. The lineup is really having a hard time right now and it is putting a lot of pressure on a shaky group of arms to almost be perfect every day. A sudden hot streak from the offense would do wonders for this team but there’s no indication it’s coming anytime soon.
On Deck
Chicago tries to earn a split of the series in the finale Sunday at 1:20pm CT. Jameson Taillon faces his former squad, which counters with Mitch Keller in a game broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.