David Bote and Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered two-out RBI hits as the Chicago Cubs rallied past the host Kansas City Royals 7-3 in Sunday’s rubber game.
Trailing 3-2 with two outs in the sixth, Bote doubled to the right field wall, scoring Michael Busch to tie the game. He then scored on Crow-Armstrong’s ground-ball single into right for a 4-3 lead.
Javier Assad (5-3) matched a season high by pitching six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. He had five strikeouts and collected his first win since May 15.
Three Cubs relievers shut out the Royals over three hitless innings for Chicago’s first series win since sweeping the Baltimore Orioles July 9-11.
Royals starter Cole Ragans (7-7) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven.
Hunter Renfroe’s two-out, two-run single to center gave Kansas City a first-inning lead.
Crow-Armstrong and Christian Bethancourt singled to open the Chicago third and executed a double-steal before scoring on Nico Hoerner’s two-run double past third base, tying the game at 2.
Crow-Armstrong had three hits Sunday and has not been caught in 19 steal attempts.
The Royals regained the lead in the fourth when Freddie Fermin’s leadoff fly was caught by a fan reaching in front of the left field foul pole.
After a short crew chief review, Fermin’s fifth homer of the season was confirmed as fan interference. Kansas City was hitless thereafter.
Patrick Wisdom, who hit a go-ahead grand slam in Saturday’s 9-4 win, homered in the ninth as Chicago added three insurance runs.
Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel exited in the fourth inning after being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a package for infielder Isaac Paredes.
Royals relievers John Schreiber and Hunter Harvey left the game with injuries. Schreiber stumbled while covering first base in the sixth, suffering right knee patella tendon discomfort.
Harvey threw just seven of his 22 pitches for strikes in the seventh before exiting with low back spasms.
The Royals have lost consecutive series and four of their past five games.