Happ ignites long-dormant Cubs offense
Craig Counsell has been talking for weeks about how the Cubs need to stretch out a lead and enjoy some stress-free innings for a change.
They finally listened to him. Thanks to a pair of 3-run homers by Ian Happ — one from each side of the plate — the Cubs rolled to a rare easy victory, beating Philadelphia 10-2 on Thursday at Wrigley Field and avoiding a sweep in the series.
“We've been looking for one of these for a while now,” Happ said. “Let's ride that momentum and see what we can do.”
Yes, it's been a long while. The Cubs had failed to score 6 runs for 10 straight games, then Happ piled up a career-high 6 RBI in a span of two innings. The Cubs scored double-digit runs for the first time since April 16, when they lost 12-11 in Arizona.
How does this part make any sense? The Cubs scored 9-plus runs in four of their first seven games this season. Then over the next 80 games, they scored 9-plus runs twice and lost both times. The persistent team-wide slump has been a defining element of this disappointing season.
“The single-run innings, you're looking for them,” Counsell said. “But the big number comes from the home run, comes from the extra-base hit, and we got those today.”
Somebody needs to lead this team out of Slump Land, and Happ seems to be a willing candidate. Since May 26, Happ leads the National League with 30 RBI and is second in MLB only to Aaron Judge.
Happ helped secure the only two wins on the recent road trip to San Francisco and Milwaukee, hitting clutch late-game home runs twice in three days.
The veteran left fielder is a notoriously streaky hitter. He hasn't had a month with a .900 OPS since June 2022, but he did come close last month with an .887.
“For me, personally, the first six weeks were a struggle and really difficult and challenging,” Happ said. “That's part of putting together a major-league season. You're going to have times where things don't feel right.
“You're hitting things right into the wind or striking out a little bit more than you want. Part of (fixing a slump) is just believing it's going to come and you're going to hit one of those hot streaks and get back on track.”
Happ finished the day 4-for-4 with 2 home runs and a double. Seiya Suzuki added 2 hits and the Cubs finished with 12 as a team.
They trailed 2-0 in the fourth when a Cody Bellinger walk and Suzuki single set the stage for Happ's line-drive homer to left. It was just the second home run given up in 97 innings this season by Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez.
In the fifth inning, Philadelphia brought in right-hander Seranthony Dominguez and Happ sent one over the wall in right field.
Cubs starter Jameson Taillon claimed he didn't have his best stuff but threw 7 innings with just 2 earned runs. He's quietly becoming an all-star candidate with a 2.99 ERA.
Around this time a year ago, Taillon had a stellar start at Yankee Stadium and has been very good since then. He talked about an off-the-field change that might have helped.
“I started taking more notes, writing in my daily journal,” Taillon said. “I think that start (in New York) helped, but also my process changed a little bit. Ever since then, I feel like I've done a good job of stacking good days and not getting too high or low.”
The Cubs (40-48) definitely need to stack some good days. Fans have packed Wrigley Field for every game since school's been out, and Happ admitted that's on his mind.
“We know how much this fan base expects and how much they deserve,” he said. “They deserve a really good baseball team, and I think we all in this clubhouse believe we have that in the tank.
“It's been a tough stretch, but I think you have a game like today where you put up 10 and feel really good about it, let's see if we can keep that rolling.”
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