Cubs Rally From Eight Runs Down, Stun Braves With Nine-Run Eighth Inning

The Cubs mounted a nine-run eighth inning on just three hits to shock the Braves on a wild and chilly Saturday at Wrigley Field.

CHICAGO — Javy Baez had a three-run double as the Chicago Cubs scored nine times in the eighth inning on just three hits, rallying past the wild Atlanta Braves 14–10 Saturday in cold, wet and windy conditions at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs trailed 9–1 in the third inning, were still down 10–2 in the sixth and went into the eighth behind 10–5. Chicago then used five walks, two hit batters, an error and a wild pitch to come back against four Atlanta relievers—all nine runs scored after there were two outs.

Baez drove in four runs, with his bases-clearing double making it 10-all.

Need a little magic? #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/jdH78DAyRe

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 14, 2018

Ben Zobrist had three hits and two RBI for the Cubs.

Ozzie Albies had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs for the Braves. Dansby Swanson and Nick Markakis had two hits and two RBI apiece for Atlanta.

Despite a temperature of 38 degrees, a 24 mph wind and a steady midst at the start, the decision was made to play mainly because this was Atlanta's only visit to Chicago and the forecast for Sunday was worse.

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Jason Heyward led off the Cubs eighth by getting hit by a pitch from Luke Jackson and pinch hitter Tommy La Stella singled with one out. Right-hander Jose Ramirez fanned Efren Navarro for the second out, but hit Kris Bryant to load the bases. Willson Contreras followed with an infield hit that made it 10–6 and Ben Zobrist walked to force home another run.

Baez followed with his double to left-center to clear the bases for a tie at 10. After Addison Russell was walked intentionally, lefty Sam Freeman walked Heyward to load the bases again. Freeman then walked Schwarber and LaStella to plate two more runs and give Chicago a 12–10 lead.

Atlanta made another pitching change, bringing in right-hander Peter Moylan. A wild pitch scored a run and another scored on a throwing error by catcher Kurt Suzuki.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: CF Ender Inciarte wasn't in the starting lineup because manager Brian Snitker wanted to give him a day off.

Cubs: CF Albert Almora Jr. was back in the lineup after missing Friday's game with an illness. He homered before being lifted after five innings.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (0-1, 7.07 ERA) looks for his first win after allowing 11 runs on 15 hits in 14 innings in three starts this season.

Cubs: RHP Tyler Chatwood (0-2, 4.91) allowed five runs in five innings in his last start during Chicago's home opener on Tuesday.