Cubs catcher David Ross blooped a single over the head of Alcides Escobar into left field for a 2-1 walk-off win in 11 innings over the Royals. Chicago’s bullpen held the Royals scoreless for 5.1 innings on a day when the wind was howling in from the north at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs, struggling to hit with runners in scoring position, took advantage of two walks by Ryan Madson to lead off the 11th. Jason Frasor came on and gave up a single to left by Anthony Rizzo, but Dexter Fowler was thrown out at home by Alex Gordon who charged and while on the run threw a strike to Salvy Perez at the plate, just getting Fowler. That call was upheld after a replay review.
Ross came up next and hit the blooper for the winner, scoring Kris Bryant after Starlin Castro was walked with the bases loaded.
Ross could have been the hero in the ninth inning against Wade Davis, after Rizzo tripled with one out. Castro as intentionally walked and Ross was thrown out at first by Davis who fielded a bunt and just got Ross. That call also stood after a replay challenge.
The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the sixth off starter Tsuyoshi Wada when Alex Gordon picked up his 500th career RBI with a single to left scoring Lorenzo Cain.
The Cubs tied it in the seventh when Chris Coghlan hit an RBI single off Yordano Ventura, who finished the day with just four hits allowed and six strikeouts.
