Craig Kimbrel earns the save in his Cubs debut — with an assist from his new teammates — in a 9-7 comeback win over the Braves
By Mark Gonzales
Craig Kimbrel admitted his velocity hasn't reached its peak, and he was late covering first base on a crucial play in his Cubs debut.
But the Cubs saw many signs in Thursday's 9-7 victory over the Braves at Wrigley Field — from overcoming a 6-1 deficit with long-awaited clutch hitting to a near-perfect performance from Kimbrel's fellow relievers to Anthony Rizzo alertly sprinting and diving to first base to beat Freddie Freeman for the final out — that better times might be ahead in the final 81 games.
"The problems that we had are definitely fixable," manager Joe Maddon said as the Cubs (44-37) reached the halfway point with a one-game lead over the Brewers in the National League Central.
Some people say @ARizzo44 is the fastest man on the planet. pic.twitter.com/RgKU3SW8vI
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 27, 2019
The Cubs overcame a five-run deficit with seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings, capped by Jason Heyward's game-tying triple and Victor Caratini's two-run home run.
After Ozzie Albies homered off Steve Cishek to start the sixth, Cishek, Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop kept the Braves scoreless to set up Kimbrel, who made his first appearance after signing a three-year, $43 million contract June 7.
[Most read in Sports] 8 things to know about the Astros sign-stealing scandal, including a former White Sox pitcher's early suspicions »
A crowd of 39,823 went crazy as Kimbrel jogged from the bullpen to the sound of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine." He struck out pinch hitter Brian McCann on a called third strike that McCann hotly disputed and induced Johan Camargo to ground to second.
Kimbrel's entrance pic.twitter.com/JvOF2t6Hjs
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) June 27, 2019
Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a ground-rule double and Dansby Swanson drew a walk, setting up a showdown with Freeman, Kimbrel's former Braves teammate.
Fortunately for Kimbrel, Rizzo thought in advance about the seven-time All-Star's long layoff. Freeman's grounder caused Rizzo to make a backhanded stop well behind first base.
"The first game back at midseason, Wrigley Field, the jitters," Rizzo said, envisioning what was going through Kimbrel's mind. "I told (shortstop) Javy Baez I was going to throw it to second before that pitch, but it was the perfectly hit ball. I'm glad it worked out for us."
Rizzo's dive barely beat Freeman to cap the Cubs' biggest comeback since July 26, 2018, when they overcame a 6-1 deficit to beat the Diamondbacks 7-6. Rizzo hugged a relieved Kimbrel near the bag.
[Most read in Sports] Column: Jessica Mendoza just gave ESPN a new reason to dump her when she criticized the whistleblower in the Astros cheating scandal »
"I need to get over and cover first base and make things easier," Kimbrel said, speaking 65 minutes after the game.
The Cubs can be somewhat forgiving, considering that their bullpen converted only 18 of 30 save chances before Kimbrel's arrival and that he is easily the hardest thrower on the pitching staff.
His velocity topped out at 97 mph Thursday, but he expects to throw harder soon.
"I felt good," Kimbrel said. "I felt like I'm still ramping up a bit. It might be a little bit until I'm full bore, all I got. But right now, it felt good."
Kimbrel said he didn't see fans mimicking his signature dangling right arm before starting his delivery, but Maddon and several players said they felt energized by his mere appearance.
Chicago Tribune Sports Newsletter
A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.
"This added person is a huge difference maker," Maddon said.
Said Rizzo: "He (crouches) down, his arm goes up and the crowd erupts again. It gives you goose bumps as a player."
Latest Chicago Cubs
Cubs acquire right-handed reliever Casey Sadler from the Dodgers
Column: David Ross is OK with being called 'Rossy,' 'Skip,' even 'Grandpa.' But the new Cubs manager wants to be known as more than 'Theo's guy.'
Anthony Rizzo, still recovering from a sprained ankle, says he prefers to hit 3rd or 4th for the Cubs despite his success as a leadoff hitter
Anthony Rizzo says the Cubs play by the rules in the wake of the Astros' cheating scandal: 'It's 100% safe to say that'
Anthony Rizzo wants to stay with the Cubs long term but knows he could end up elsewhere: 'It's as cutthroat as ever right now'
The comeback win allowed the Cubs to salvage a 5-5 homestand as they embark on a nine-game trip against the Reds, Pirates and White Sox leading up to the All-Star break.
"Of course l'd like to be in a better positon," Maddon said. "We've left some chicken on the bone, no question. But I think as we got it all together (Thursday) ..."
Kimbrel's arrival gives the Cubs a formidable presence at the back end of a now-deep bullpen, allowing Maddon to be more willing to pull starters earlier and seek more favorable matchups.
"The first one is always the tough one," Kimbrel said. "I'd like to settle in and get on a good roll. And get the team on a good roll and do a lot of winning."