Aug 18, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido (9) celebrates within the dugout after hitting a house run towards the Chicago Cubs throughout the second inning at Wrigley Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports activities Bowden Francis held the host Chicago Cubs to 3 hits over seven innings, and Joey Loperfido’s homer made the distinction within the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
Loperfido’s third house run of the season got here within the second inning off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga and was estimated at 409 ft. It did not want the assistance of the wind, which was blowing from left area to proper area at 15 mph.
Francis (6-3) struck out seven and did not stroll a batter in successful his second straight begin. He did seem to catch a break within the third inning, when the wind stored a fly ball to left-center by Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya from going over the fence.
Toronto reliever Ryan Burr received the primary two Cubs out within the eighth, and after he issued a stroll, Genesis Cabrera got here on to strike out pinch hitter Isaac Parades.
Chicago’s Hector Neris labored out of a two-on, one-out jam within the high of the ninth, and the Cubs threatened within the backside of the ninth towards Chad Inexperienced. Cody Bellinger singled with one out, and with two outs, he stole second. However Inexperienced secured his thirteenth save when he received Dansby Swanson to floor out.
The primary two hits Francis allowed got here with one out within the fourth, on Michael Busch’s check-swing grounder and Seiya Suzuki’s bloop single to middle.
Francis received Bellinger to come out, and he ought to have been out of the inning on Nico Hoerner’s grounder to quick, however Ernie Clement bobbled the ball as he tried to flip it to second for a forceout. Francis, who struck out a career-high eight in his earlier outing, then caught Swanson trying.
Imanaga (9-3) yielded simply the one run on 4 hits and one stroll. He struck out six however was pulled to begin the sixth inning after throwing 97 pitches, 69 for strikes. It was his first loss since June 21.
Francis was pulled after seven innings, matching his profession excessive, which additionally got here in his earlier begin. He threw 71 of his 95 pitches, additionally a profession excessive, for strikes.
The Blue Jays received singles from Alejandro Kirk and Spencer Horwitz with two outs within the eighth off reliever Ethan Roberts, however Roberts received Addison Barger to line out.
George Springer, Loperfido and Kirk every had two of Toronto’s eight hits. Hoerner had a double within the seventh for the Cubs, who completed with 4 hits.
–Discipline Stage Media
