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 The Cubs pinch hitter delivered a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City
Royals when he slammed a first-pitch home run to the left-field
bleachers to lead off the 11th inning.
"That's the kind of game that is won by something like this," said
Chicago manager Joe Maddon. "He comes off the bench, he's done a
great job pinch-hitting. He was ready."
The walk-off triumph was the Cubs' major league-leading 13th and
came in the regular-season home finale.
It was the fourth win with a homer this season and was the most
walk-off victories since the Cubs had 13 in 1932.
"I've had the opportunity to do that only one other time in my
career," said Denorfia, who clubbed his fourth career pinch-hit
homer. "I feel like a little kid again. I'm 35 years old and running
around the bases just knowing what just happened and what's waiting
for you at home plate is really something special."
The home run, Denorfia's fourth this season, came off right-handed
reliever Miguel Almonte (0-2), who took the loss after entering in
the 11th. Chicago right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney, the last of
six Cubs pitchers, improved to 2-0 after working the top of the 11th
for the win.
The victory was the second straight for the Cubs (91-65) while the
Royals (90-66) fell for the third time in four games.
Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura tossed seven innings of two-hit
shutout baseball but left without a decision. Cubs right-handed
starter Kyle Hendricks also came away empty-handed after pitching
six innings without allowing a run.
Chicago batters were unable to crack Ventura until right fielder
Jorge Soler got the Cubs' first hit in the sixth. His leadoff single
up the middle snapped Ventura's run of 15 straight retired batters.
"That was a great game," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "Both teams
were stymied offensively by great pitching. That could be the best
game Ventura pitched all year. He was fantastic."
Hendricks, meanwhile, allowed just two hits and walked two and
matched a season high with nine strikeouts.
First baseman Chris Coghlan walked to open the seventh and
eventually reached third with two out before Ventura got second
baseman Starlin Castro on a swinging strike three.
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Ventura was pulled for pinch hitter Kendrys Morales in the eighth.
He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out six in his
seven-inning outing.
Kansas City had runners in scoring position against Hendricks -- in
the first and fourth innings -- but couldn't generate any runs.
"It was definitely a tough night," said center fielder Lorenzo Cain,
who went 1-for-4. "Hat's off to their pitchers. They came in and
were lights out tonight."
Ventura was even better. He retired 15 straight batters although
Castro sent a fifth-inning pitch to the wall in center field before
it was caught.
Monday's game completed a three-game series from May that that
featured a middle game washout. The Royals claimed an 8-4 win on May
29 while the Cubs rebounded to a 2-1 victory in 11 innings on May
31.
NOTES: Kansas City remains in Chicago following Monday's makeup game
with the Cubs, traveling to the South Side for a three-game set with
the White Sox beginning on Tuesday. ... With eight games still to
play, 3B Mike Moustakas has already recorded career bests in hits
(148), home runs (21), RBIs (76), runs scored (70) and walks (41).
... Kansas City sends RHP Johnny Cueto (10-12, 3.45 ERA) against RHP
Jeff Samardzija (10-13, 5.04 ERA) in the opener of the White Sox
series. ... Monday's game with the Royals was the latest the Cubs
have played an American League team since Oct. 10, 1945, in Game 7
of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. ... RHP Jake Arrieta
is 10-0 with a 0.44 ERA in August and September, only the second
pitcher ever with 10 wins without a loss and an ERA bellow 1.00 in
that span. ... Cubs RHP Dan Haren (9-9, 3.83) goes against Reds RHP
Josh Smith (0-2, 7.23 ERA) on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game
series in Cincinnati.
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