Four Chicago Cubs pitchers limited the host Cleveland Guardians to one hit as the visiting Cubs squeaked out a 1-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.
Miguel Amaya’s single off Connor Brogdon (2-1) with one out in the eighth scored Dylan Carlson from second as the Cubs managed to win with just two hits. Carlson came on as a pinch-runner after Michael Conforto worked a leadoff walk.
Caleb Thielbar (1-0) allowed one walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the ninth to claim his first save of the season.
Starter Edward Cabrera allowed the only hit, a CJ Kayfus double, to start the Guardians’ sixth. Steven Kwan bunted Kayfus to third, but Kayfus was thrown out at home on Chase DeLauter’s grounder to second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo walked to load the bases before Thielbar relieved Cabrera. Thielbar got Bo Naylor to pop up to end the threat.
Cabrera issued five walks and struck out four over 5 2/3 innings. He was helped by a couple strong defensive plays. Michael Busch prevented an extra-base hit by Manzardo with a diving stop behind first base to lead off the second. Brayan Rocchio started the Cleveland third with a walk, but Amaya threw him out trying to steal.
Cleveland’s struggles at the plate overshadowed a strong performance by Guardians starter Slade Cecconi, who also allowed just one hit across six innings. Cecconi struck out six and walked one during his six-inning stint.
Tim Herrin and Peyton Pallette each pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for Cleveland.
Hoby Milner bridged Thielbar and Palencia in the eighth. He hit Steven Kwan, but got DeLauter to ground into a double play.
Sunday’s doubleheader was necessary after Saturday’s game was rained out. While it wasn’t raining, the chilly conditions with temperatures in the 40s and winds at 15 mph hindered the batters.
