CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Horner homered and Shane McClanahan held off a freak mistake by Tampa Bay for their first loss of the season as the Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.
The game was still 1–1 when Ian Happ popped out a short to lead off the sixth inning that fell into an apparent miscommunication between second baseman Brandon Lowe and right fielder Josh Lowe.
Happ moved to second with a double. Seiya Suzuki struck out and Trey Mancini grounded out to second before Mike Tauchman hit a tiebreaking single into left field.
It wasn’t enough for Chicago, which topped the season’s best team for the second day in a row after entering the series on a four-game losing streak.
Julian Meriwether (1-0), Mark Leiter Jr. and Edbert Alzole combined to pitch four innings of one-hit ball in relief of Kyle Hendricks. Meriwether picked up his first major league win, while Alzole pitched six outs for his second save.
McClanahan (8-1) allowed six hits, struck out seven and struck out two in 5 2/3 innings. The lefty was looking to become the first pitcher in franchise history to start the season with a 9–0 record.
For the Rays, Dominican Vander Franco scored 3–1, Manuel Margot 4–1, Francisco Mejia scored one run 3–1. Mexican Randy Arozarena 3-1 with a push, Isaac Paredes 4-0. Colombian Harold Ramirez 4-1.
For the Cubs, Dominican Christopher Morell 3–0.
