The Chicago Cubs secured a 6-5 victory over the Miami Marlins, with the team relying on their bullpen’s solid performance. Javier Assad managed to keep the game in favor of the Cubs despite facing command issues. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five walks, a season high for him. However, the Cubs held the Marlins in check.
Ryan Zeferjahn contributed significantly, pitching 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run. This earned him his first save since joining as a Cub. Assad, making his first Major League start in a month, gave up three hits and three runs. One run scored after reliever Caleb Thielbar gave up a two-run homerun to Griffin Conine, the first batter he faced.
I wasn’t as fine as usual,Assad said through an interpreter.I fought through, pitch by pitch. … I felt good out there, and it was good to at least leave the game with the score up. The last thing I want to do is to allow those walks, especially with the infield that we have, the defense.
The Cubs’ start had signs of a potential struggle. In the first inning, they missed a chance for early runs. Pete Crow-Armstrong walked, followed by a single from Seiya Suzuki. However, Michael Busch struck out due to a pitch-clock violation, and Alex Bregman hit into a double play.
Similar challenges persisted in the second inning with two outs recorded at third base. Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee demonstrated his strong arm, getting Ian Happ out as he tried to advance from first to third on Nico Hoerner’s single. Hoerner then unsuccessfully attempted to steal third, ending the inning.
Despite early setbacks, the Cubs’ lineup applied enough pressure. Michael Conforto hit his 14th home run of the year in the third inning. Later in that inning, Happ drove in two more runs with a single, increasing the Cubs’ lead. Crow-Armstrong, Hoerner, and Busch added to the Cubs’ scoring over the subsequent innings.
As the Marlins continually attempted comebacks, the Cubs’ bullpen remained firm. Ryan Rolison was crucial, getting the Cubs out of a close situation in the seventh inning when the Marlins were in a position to take the lead. Zeferjahn then secured the Cubs’ win, maintaining the lead amid pressure in the eighth and ninth innings.
Assad’s return after 15 days in Triple-A Iowa provided needed flexibility. His varied role throughout the season has been valuable, especially following new trades. His presence enhanced the team’s options, though his minor-league options made roster adjustments necessary. Assad’s return meant Tyler Ferguson’s temporary move back to Triple-A.
Craig Counsell, the Cubs’ manager, acknowledged the difficult adjustments players like Assad and Ferguson face because of their options and team dynamics.
If you have options, we create a better team through this and more flexibility through this and depth through this, that’s what’s best for the team,Counsell stated.And you have to do your job, and the team kind of has to do their job if that makes sense, and there’s nothing Javier can do about that part of it, there’s nothing Tyler Ferguson can do about that part of it. They control when they go out on the mound, and that’s their jobs. Now that’s easy for me to sit here and say to do, but they’ve done that part really well.
Assad’s role this season required adapting to more innings than in previous years. Despite the increase, he has remained effective, contributing both as a starter and reliever. Craig Counsell recognized this importance, highlighting Assad’s role in keeping the team competitive throughout various game situations.