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Then with the Rays down 3-2, and after Taylor
Walls drew a walk, Siri tagged Leiter on a drive that nearly
landed in the same spot for the visitors' first lead of the
series.
Meanwhile, the Cubs squandered a first-and-third, one-out
situation in the eighth. They then had the bases loaded with one
out in the ninth, but squandered the chance to tie to conclude a
4-5 homestand, which included being swept in three games by the
Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago starter Justin Steele, one of the majors' biggest
surprises this season (6-2, 2.77 ERA entering the game), was
perfect through the first three innings, and stayed in the game
despite a visit from manager David Ross and trainer Nick
Frangella early in the third. However, Hayden Wesneski took over
in the fourth, as Steele officially exited with left forearm
tightness after tossing three perfect innings with one
strikeout.
Wesneski lasted 3 2/3 innings but was pulled after walking
Manuel Margot with two outs in the seventh. Leiter replaced him,
then Lowe's ninth homer tied the game. Chicago, though, regained
the lead on Trey Mancini's pinch-hit RBI single off Colin Poche
(4-1) in the bottom of the frame, but Leiter again blew a lead
on Siri's 10th homer before exiting in the eighth.
The Cubs wasted no time getting to Tampa Bay starter Zach Eflin
in the first. Nico Hoerner drew a leadoff walk, stole second and
eventually scored on a single by Ian Happ, who also swiped
second base, and came home on Mike Tauchman's line single to
right.
Eflin was charged with all three Cubs' runs and also gave up
four hits and a walk, and fanned five, before he was lifted
after giving up Seiya Suzuki's double to lead off the seventh.
--Field Level Media
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