Aug 18, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido (9) celebrates within the dugout after hitting a house run in opposition to the Chicago Cubs throughout the second inning at Wrigley Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports activities Bowden Francis held the host Chicago Cubs to a few hits over seven innings, and Joey Loperfido’s homer made the distinction within the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
Loperfido’s third residence run of the season got here within the second inning off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga and was estimated at 409 toes. It did not want the assistance of the wind, which was blowing from left subject to proper subject at 15 mph.
Francis (6-3) struck out seven and did not stroll a batter in profitable his second straight begin. He did seem to catch a break within the third inning, when the wind saved a fly ball to left-center by Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya from going over the fence.
Toronto reliever Ryan Burr obtained the primary two Cubs out within the eighth, and after he issued a stroll, Genesis Cabrera got here on to strike out pinch hitter Isaac Parades.
Chicago’s Hector Neris labored out of a two-on, one-out jam within the prime of the ninth, and the Cubs threatened within the backside of the ninth in opposition to Chad Inexperienced. Cody Bellinger singled with one out, and with two outs, he stole second. However Inexperienced secured his thirteenth save when he obtained Dansby Swanson to floor out.
The primary two hits Francis allowed got here with one out within the fourth, on Michael Busch’s check-swing grounder and Seiya Suzuki’s bloop single to middle.
Francis obtained Bellinger to come out, and he ought to have been out of the inning on Nico Hoerner’s grounder to brief, however Ernie Clement bobbled the ball as he tried to flip it to second for a forceout. Francis, who struck out a career-high eight in his earlier outing, then caught Swanson trying.
Imanaga (9-3) yielded simply the one run on 4 hits and one stroll. He struck out six however was pulled to start out the sixth inning after throwing 97 pitches, 69 for strikes. It was his first loss since June 21.
Francis was pulled after seven innings, matching his profession excessive, which additionally got here in his earlier begin. He threw 71 of his 95 pitches, additionally a profession excessive, for strikes.
The Blue Jays obtained singles from Alejandro Kirk and Spencer Horwitz with two outs within the eighth off reliever Ethan Roberts, however Roberts obtained Addison Barger to line out.
George Springer, Loperfido and Kirk every had two of Toronto’s eight hits. Hoerner had a double within the seventh for the Cubs, who completed with 4 hits.
–Discipline Stage Media