Cody Bellinger hit a two-run double and Dansby Swanson added a homer to lead the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the Tigers on Tuesday night.
Bellinger went 2-for-4 to help Chicago. Javier Assad (6-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Cubs, giving up just one run on six hits and striking out seven batters.
“I thought it was Javy’s best start in a while, maybe since coming off the injured list,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He was getting ahead of hitters more consistently, executing better, and missing fewer pitches. His curveball and two-seamer both helped him get some strikeouts.
Multiple pitches were working, and that’s what led to a good outing.” Tyson Miller, Drew Smyly, and Porter Hodge pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, each allowing one hit, to finish the game. Hodge earned his second save.
Detroit struggled despite strong performances from Dillon Dingler and Spencer Torkelson. Dingler drove in the Tigers’ only run with an RBI single and also hit a triple. Torkelson went 4-for-4.
Tigers reliever Bryan Sammons (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Chicago’s offense was mostly quiet for the first four innings. With two runners on base in the fifth inning, Bellinger doubled to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. This was a redemption from his previous at-bat in the third inning, when he grounded out with runners on first and second.
“Obviously, I was pretty disappointed I wasn’t able to get the job done,” Bellinger said about his first at-bat. “I felt decent that at-bat and said I just wanted to make the adjustment.
Same situation, man on first and second with one out, so I stayed within my approach. (Ian) Happ and (Michael Busch) Buschy did a great job of getting on again, so I tried to get the job done.”
