Ross Hits Winning Single In 11th As Cubs Beat Royals, 2-1
CHICAGO (AP) — David Ross hit an RBI single with one out in the 11th inning Sunday, lifting the Chicago Cubs over the Kansas City Royals, 2-1.
The Cubs and Royals split the abbreviated two-game series. Saturday's game was rained out and will be made up at Wrigley Field during the last week of the regular season.
Ross delivered the fifth game-ending hit of his career, a bases-loaded single just beyond the reach of shortstop Alcides Escobar, who tried to make a sliding, over-the-shoulder catch.
Earlier in the inning, Dexter Fowler was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Alex Gordon when he tried to score on a single.
Zac Rosscup (2-1) struck out Salvador Perez with runners on first and third with two outs in the 11th.
Ryan Madson (0-1) walked Fowler and Kris Bryant to begin the 11th. Jason Frasor relieved and Anthony Rizzo blooped a single, with a video replay confirming Fowler was out at the plate.
With runners on second and third, the Royals intentionally walked Starlin Castro to load the bases. Ross followed with his hit.
Royals reliever Wade Davis pitched out of a jam in the ninth. Rizzo tripled with one out and Castro was intentionally walked. Ross then bunted back to Davis, who held Rizzo at third base and got the out at first. Davis struck out Jorge Soler to end the inning.
Royals starter Yordano Ventura pitched seven innings, allowing one run and four hits. It was his fourth straight outing that he pitched seven innings. He struck out six and walked one.
Chris Coghlan had three hits off Ventura, including an RBI single in the seventh.
Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada pitched into the sixth. Recently demoted starter Travis Wood gave up an RBI single to Gordon.
Before the game, there was a moment of silence for Lennie Merullo. He died Saturday at 98 and was the oldest former Cubs player, and the last living member of their 1945 World Series team.
The Cubs and the Royals both wore 1915 throwback uniforms. The Cubs wore Chicago Whales uniforms and the Royals broke out the Kansas City Packers threads.
It was 47 degrees at gametime. The crowd included many Royals fans who made up the announced attendance of 37,766.
UP NEXT
Royals: Start a six-game homestand vs. the Indians on Tuesday. Jeremy Guthrie (4-3) is scheduled to make his 10th start of the season. He will try to bounce back from his worst outing of his career when he gave up 11 runs on nine hits, three walks in one-plus inning against the Yankees on May 25.
Cubs: Begin a nine-game road trip in Miami on Monday. Jason Hammel (3-2) is the scheduled starter. In eight games against Miami, he is 1-3 with a 4.86 ERA.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: Alex Rios returned to the lineup after breaking his left hand on April 13. He was 0 for 4 and played right field. ... Eric Hosmer, who got some rest from the field, pinch-hit in the 10th inning and walked.
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