In the bottom of the 11th, the Cubs and Pirates were tied 5-5 with a runner on second and no outs. The Cubs played it smart. Cole Tucker dropped a bunt to move the runner to third, giving Chicago a chance to end it with a sacrifice fly. The Pirates responded by intentionally walking the next batter to set up a potential double play. That brought Ian Happ to the plate.
Happ assessed the situation, noting the wind blowing steadily through the outfield. He stayed patient on the first pitch, waiting for something he could lift. On the next pitch, he got it and delivered a high fly ball that carried too much for the outfield to track. The wind did its part. The ball dropped in, the runner scored, and the Cubs walked it off.
Happ celebrated with his teammates, taking in the win and the welcome. It wasn’t flashy, but it was heads-up baseball. Use the bunt, work the walk, trust the wind. A gritty, extra-inning win on a windy night at Wrigley.