When Cubs lefty Michael Busch slipped a game-tying single through the left side on Tuesday, reliever Chris Flexen quickly shifted focus to getting through the next frame. He had already limited the Rockies to a single run across the 10th and 11th innings and was ready to keep going as long as needed.
That’s when rookie Matt Shaw delivered a walk-off RBI single to win it.
“I just kept telling the guys, ‘Pick me up, pick me up,’” Flexen said after the Cubs’ 4-3 victory. “Seeing them do that — and hearing the crowd go crazy — was amazing.”
Flexen’s outing was another highlight in a dominant stretch for the Cubs’ bullpen, which entered Wednesday with a league-best 1.03 ERA over the last 12 games (since May 14).
He surrendered just one hit — a well-placed single up the middle — and the only run he gave up came on a groundout in the top of the 11th. Because that runner had been placed at second under extra-innings rules, the run was unearned, and Flexen’s ERA remained a perfect 0.00 through 12⅓ innings in seven appearances this season.
“These are tough, high-pressure innings — and not really a role he’s had before,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s pitched in a bunch of games where he’s kept us close, and we’ve come back and won. Last night, he gave us two huge innings and executed.”
Though Flexen has primarily started during his big league career, he had some experience pitching with the automatic runner on second. Still, this was his first time handling multiple extra innings under that format.
“It definitely adds a layer of difficulty,” Flexen said with a smile. “But the goal stays the same: get outs, keep us in the game, and try to win.”
Imanaga tests hamstring
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga threw his first bullpen session Wednesday since going on the 15-day IL about three weeks ago with a strained hamstring.
He also participated in fielding drills and running exercises in what Counsell called a “very active day.”
“It was a really solid work day overall,” Counsell said.
If Imanaga responds well, he’s expected to go through a similar session over the weekend before continuing his rehab at the Cubs’ Arizona facility while the team begins a nine-game road swing.
Kelly back behind the plate
Catcher Carson Kelly was back in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing time due to illness.
On Tuesday night, he pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth and came close to ending the game with a deep fly to the warning track — a ball hit at 104 mph with a 27-degree launch angle that was likely held up by the wind.
“On a different night, that’s probably a home run,” Counsell said.
Kelly went on to finish the game at catcher.