August 18, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Lopez (9) after hitting a house run within the second inning in opposition to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Subject , celebrating within the lounge. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports activities Bowden Francis held the host Chicago Cubs to only three hits in seven innings, and Joey Loperfido’s dwelling run lifted the Toronto Blue Jays Blue Jays) delivered a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon.
Lopefido’s third homer of the season got here off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga within the second inning, an estimated 409 ft. It wanted no assist from the wind, which blew from left discipline to proper discipline at 15 miles per hour.
Francis (6-3) struck out seven and walked no batters to earn his second straight begin. He did get a break within the third inning when the wind prevented Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya’s fly ball to left heart from clearing the fence.
Toronto reliever Ryan Burr acquired the Cubs’ first two outs within the eighth inning, and after he issued a stroll, Genesis Cabrera got here on to strike out a pinch-hitter. Hand Isaac Parades.
Chicago’s Hector Neris acquired out of a two-out, one-out jam within the prime of the ninth, and the Cubs threatened Chad Inexperienced within the backside of the ninth. Cody Bellinger singled with one out and stole second with two outs. However Greene made his thirteenth save when he acquired Dansby Swanson out.
The primary two hits Francis allowed got here within the fourth on Michael Busch’s return grounder and Seiya Suzuki’s single to heart with one out.
Francis acquired Bellinger to pop up, and he ought to have been out on a brief grounder by Nico Hoerner, however Ernie Clement knocked it down whereas attempting to flip the ball to power an out at second. Francis struck out a career-high eight runs in his final recreation after which caught Swanson’s eye.
Imonaga (9-3) allowed only one run on 4 hits and a stroll. He struck out six however was pulled to start out the sixth inning after throwing 97 pitches, 69 of which have been strikes. This was his first loss since June 21.
Francis was eradicated after seven innings, tying his profession excessive in his earlier begin. He struck out 71 of 95 pitches, additionally a profession excessive.
The Blue Jays acquired singles from Alejandro Kirk and Spencer Horwitz with two outs within the eighth off reliever Ethan Roberts. However Roberts acquired Addison Barger out.
George Springer, Loper Fido and Kirk every had two of Toronto’s eight hits. Hoerner had a two-run single within the seventh inning for the Cubs, who completed with 4 hits.
–Scene-level media
