Schwindel, Cubs rally in 9th, top Pirates, 5th win in row

CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Frank Schwindel hustled hard and sprawled for an RBI single that capped a three-run rally with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs over the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 Saturday for their fifth straight win.

Schwindel had three hits, including a solo home run that sailed into Wrigley Field’s left-field video board. He has five homers in six games and 10 this season.

Alfonso Rivas singled home a run in the ninth that drew the Cubs within 6-5 and Rafael Ortega’s third hit of the game tied it when right fielder Ben Gamel couldn't make a diving catch.

With runners on second and third, Schwindel hit a grounder that shortstop Kevin Newman gloved in the hole. Newman pivoted and made a midair throw to first that was wide, and Colin Moran came off the base to catch it.

Schwindel made a dive into the bag and narrowly avoided the tag. The play withstood a video review, handing the Pirates their fifth straight loss.

“What a blast," said bench coach Andy Green, who is directing the Cubs while manager David Ross is out after a positive COVID-19 test. “That was crazy close. He was fired up and confident that he didn't get tagged."

“He's done everything you can possible hope a baseball play could do. Now we just want to see it repeat for a long time," he said.

Schwindel might have been extra pumped after the crowd started chanting his name at the start of his game-ending at-bat.

After all, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound, 29-year-old — nicknamed “Frank the Tank" — has taken over at first base for Anthony Rizzo, shipped at the July 30 trade deadline to the Yankees as the rebuilding Cubs unloaded big-name stars.

“That was awesome,” Schwindel said. “That was the loudest I've heard it here. That was as cool an...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Cubs-rally-for-3-in-9th-Cubs-beat-Pirates-5th-16436296.php