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When the Cubs lost Aroldis Chapman to free agency last offseason, GM Theo Epstein knew he needed to fill what would be a gaping hole at the back of his bullpen.
So Epstein sent promising outfielder Jorge Soler to Kansas City in exchange for Wade Davis, and to say the move worked out in the Cubs’ favor might be the understatement of the year.
Davis saved his 26th straight game Saturday – tying Ryan Dempster’s team record – and the Cubs squeaked out a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field. Ian Happ, a day after going 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, went 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs, and Anthony Rizzo plated Albert Almora Jr. with an RBI single in the seventh that gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead.
Starter Jose Quintana (4-2) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out eight in six innings. It was his fifth quality start in seven outings since joining the Cubs (65-57).
Davis (2.32 ERA) has allowed just one hit in his past six appearances – and that was a meaningless home run in a nonsave situation at Arizona last Sunday.
“He’s pitched well, but if you’ve been following closely, a lot of 25 and 30-pitch saves,” said manager Joe Maddon. “He’s getting sharp right now. That’s the difference.
“He’s nailed it [all season]. There’s nothing to complain about. Now he’s pitching pretty close to his optimal level. From our perspective, don’t overuse him because he’s starting to feel it.”
Waiver claim: The Cubs claimed 34-year-old catcher Rene Rivera off waivers from the Mets on Saturday and designated pitcher Darren Brooks for assignment. Rivera will be added to the 25-man roster either Sunday or when the Cubs open a three-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
“Very good defensive player, great reputation and he’s got some pop too. He can hit a couple of home runs,” Maddon said of Rivera, who has a .230/.278/.391 hitting line with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 174 at-bats this season. “That veteran presence, the depth that it provides is all good stuff.”
When Rivera is added, the Cubs will likely send Victor Caratini to the minors.
Protest: Maddon said he had no problem with major league umpires wearing white wrist bands Saturday to protest verbal attacks against them.
“Any time somebody wants to protest about something, I’m open minded about listening to the whole thing,” Maddon said. “I just need more information to know what I think.”
Around the horn: Javier Baez is batting .322 (19 for 59) with six home runs and 16 RBIs in his past 16 games. … The Cubs are 56-17 when scoring four or more runs. … Albert Almora Jr. (1 for 1 Saturday) is hitting .367 (11 for 30) as a pinch-hitter, the third-highest average in the majors. … Of the Cubs' 40 remaining games, 26 are against teams currently owning a record of .500 or below.
By JOHN DIETZ
jdietz@dailyherald.com
When the Cubs lost Aroldis Chapman to free agency last offseason, GM Theo Epstein knew he needed to fill what would be a gaping hole at the back of his bullpen.
So Epstein sent promising outfielder Jorge Soler to Kansas City in exchange for Wade Davis, and to say the move worked out in the Cubs’ favor might be the understatement of the year.
Davis saved his 26th straight game Saturday – tying Ryan Dempster’s team record – and the Cubs squeaked out a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field. Ian Happ, a day after going 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, went 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs, and Anthony Rizzo plated Albert Almora Jr. with an RBI single in the seventh that gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead.
Starter Jose Quintana (4-2) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out eight in six innings. It was his fifth quality start in seven outings since joining the Cubs (65-57).
Davis (2.32 ERA) has allowed just one hit in his past six appearances – and that was a meaningless home run in a non-save situation at Arizona last Sunday.
“He’s pitched well, but if you’ve been following closely, a lot of 25 and 30-pitch saves,” said manager Joe Maddon. “He’s getting sharp right now. That’s the difference.
“He’s nailed it [all season]. There’s nothing to complain about. Now he’s pitching pretty close to his optimal level. From our perspective, don’t overuse him because he’s starting to feel it.”
Waiver claim: The Cubs claimed 34-year-old catcher Rene Rivera off waivers from the Mets on Saturday and designated pitcher Darren Brooks for assignment. Rivera will be added to the 25-man roster either Sunday or when the Cubs open a three-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
“Very good defensive player, great reputation and he’s got some pop too. He can hit a couple of home runs,” Maddon said of Rivera, who has a .230/.278/.391 hitting line with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 174 at-bats this season. “That veteran presence, the depth that it provides is all good stuff.”
When Rivera is added, the Cubs will likely send Victor Caratini to the minors.
Protest: Maddon said he had no problem with major league umpires wearing white wrist bands Saturday to protest verbal attacks against them.
“Any time somebody wants to protest about something, I’m open minded about listening to the whole thing,” Maddon said. “I just need more information to know what I think.”
Around the horn: Javier Baez is batting .322 (19 for 59) with six home runs and 16 RBIs in his past 16 games. … The Cubs are 56-17 when scoring four or more runs. … Albert Almora Jr. (1 for 1 Saturday) is hitting .367 (11 for 30) as a pinch-hitter, the third-highest average in the majors. … Of the Cubs' 40 remaining games, 26 are against teams currently owning a record of .500 or below.