Russell's 9th-Inning Homer Lifts Cubs Past Orioles 9-8
BALTIMORE (AP) — Addison Russell hit a go-ahead solo home run in the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 after squandering an eight-run lead on Friday night.
Mark Trumbo tied the game 8-8 with a two-run homer off Koji Uehara (3-4) in the eighth. Russell responded when he hit a first-pitch, 96 mph fastball off Brad Brach (2-2) over the left field fence.
Wade Davis picked up his 17th save for Chicago.
Willson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning for Chicago. Ben Zobrist also homered onto the flag court behind the right field scoreboard and Jason Heyward reached Eutaw Street with another towering shot.
Chicago improved to 3-6 in interleague play after going 15-5 against the AL last season.
Welington Castillo's ninth home run was a solo shot in the third for Baltimore, which left 10 runners on base.
Contreras provided a 3-0 lead with a homer into the Cubs' bullpen. Schwarber hammered Kevin Gausman's next pitch to almost the exact spot.
Zobrist and Heyward hit two-run homers in the second and third, respectively, to boost the margin to 8-0. Gausman tied a career-high by allowing eight runs and seven hits over three innings. He also gave up four home runs — the most of his career.
Mark Trumbo, Trey Mancini and Joey Rickard had RBI singles in the fifth off reliever Justin Grimm to cut the lead to 8-6.
MOVES
Cubs: To make room for LHP Jose Quintana, who was acquired from the White Sox on Thursday, RHP Dylan Floro was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Orioles: OF Craig Gentry cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: 1B Chris Davis (strained right oblique) returned from the 10-day DL and went 1 for 5 with an RBI double in the fourth. INF Ryan Flaherty (right shoulder inflammation) could begin a rehab assignment by the end of next week.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (8-7, 4.35 ERA) will make his second career start against his former team. He previously beat the Orioles on Aug. 22, 2014, when he allowed one run over seven innings.
Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (4-7, 4.97 ERA) is looking to build off his previous start when he gave up one run and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings against the Twins. Miley is second in the AL with 51 walks.
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