Happ fuels Cubs' late surge past Rays
CHICAGO -- Ian Happ went 2-for-4, including a two-run go-ahead single in the seventh inning, to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
The Cubs scored seven runs between the sixth and eighth innings to overtake the Rays and earn a split in the two-game series at Wrigley Field.
Reliever Pedro Strop (3-2) worked a perfect seventh inning to earn the victory for the Cubs (42-42).
Reliever Erasmo Ramirez (4-3) gave up four runs through the decisive sixth and seventh innings and took the loss for the Rays (44-42).
Happ's one-out base hit to shallow center drove in Kris Bryant and Anthony RIzzo to snap a 3-3 tie.
Rizzo, who went 2-for-3, added a two-out double in the eighth to drive in Tommy LaStella and Bryant to open a four-run lead.
Tampa Bay outfielder Mallex Smith went a career-high 4-for-4 and scored three times. Cubs pinch hitter Jon Jay delivered three runs with one swing of the bat with a pinch-hit homer as the teams were temporarily deadlocked 3-3 in the sixth inning.
Smith had two singles and a double while Evan Longoria drove him in twice. Corey Dickerson doubled him home for a third run.
Rays left-handed starter Blake Snell received a no-decision, missing a chance for his first victory since Sept. 22, 2016. He gave up four hits, walked four and struck out five in a five-inning outing.
Cubs starter John Lackey (5-9) avoided his third straight loss with the no-decision. He allowed three runs on six hits, struck out three and walked none over six innings.
Smith led off the game with a single to right, stole second and gave the Rays a 1-0 lead when he scored on Longoria's one-out base hit to center.
Smith singled to right again in the third and scored for a 2-0 lead on Dickerson's one-out double into the left field corner. Dickerson tried to extend the hit into a triple but was thrown out as Happ fired to Bryant for the tag.
Smith led off the sixth with a double to left, reached third on Dickerson's fielder's choice grounder and scored his third run as Longoria sent a sacrifice fly to deep center.
The Cubs evened the score in the bottom of the sixth on Jay 's three-run home run.
Jay, who pinch hit for Lackey, launched a 1-2 pitch off Ramirez to left for his second homer of the season, which brought home Happ and Javier Baez.
The Cubs remain home for a Thursday makeup game with Milwaukee, rescheduled after a May 20 rainout. They then host Pittsburgh for three weekend games. The Rays return home for a four-game series against Boston that carries both teams to next week's All-Star break.
NOTES: Tampa Bay 2B Brad Miller (right groin strain) went 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's rehab game at Triple-A Durham. He was expected to DH on Wednesday. ... The Rays return home Thursday to meet Boston for a four-game series and send RHP James Faria (3-0, 2.23 ERA) against Red Sox LHP Chris Sale (11-3, 2.61 ERA) in Friday's opener. ... Cubs C Willson Contreras batted leadoff for the second time this season on Wednesday and is among seven Cubs to appear in the top spot. He led off with a single to center and reached base three times. ... LHP Mike Montgomery (1-5, 2.80 ERA) starts for the Cubs against Pirates RHP Zach Davies (9-4, 5.03 ERA) as Chicago's homestand continues with three games against Pittsburgh. ... Since May 7, 1B Anthony Rizzo has been on base 99 times, second most in the NL behind Cincinnati's Joey Votto (100).