Nico Hoerner hit a game-winning infield single in the 10th inning as he returned to the lineup, helping the Chicago Cubs secure a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
With runners on the corners and one out in the 10th, the Braves brought their infield in. Hoerner then hit a high chopper to the right side on an 0-2 pitch from Aaron Bummer (1-2).
First baseman Matt Olson and second baseman Ozzie Albies both went for the grounder, but Albies had no play as Cody Bellinger raced home with the winning run. It was Hoerner’s first hit after missing six straight games due to left hamstring tightness.
“We get to two strikes, and obviously want to put a ball in play first,” Hoerner said. “Fortunate where it went.”
Mike Tauchman contributed with two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, who had lost three of their last four games. Luke Little (1-0) earned his first career win by pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball for Chicago’s bullpen.
“Everybody did a great job,” reliever Mark Leiter Jr. said.
Chicago shortstop Dansby Swanson returned to the lineup and had two hits. Swanson had been sidelined by a right knee sprain and was activated from the 10-day injured list.
Michael Harris II homered and made two impressive defensive plays, but the Atlanta Braves suffered their fifth loss in six games. Orlando Arcia also hit a two-run homer, and Charlie Morton struck out eight in five effective innings on a warm, blustery night at Wrigley Field.
“I wish I could have gone a couple more innings,” Morton said. The Braves had an opportunity to take the lead in the seventh, but they were held off by some solid relief work from Leiter.
