Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers beat light-hitting Cubs 2-1
DETROIT — It didn’t look or sound like a rebuilding team, holding on for a win against a contender.
Shane Greene had a game-ending strikeout against Jason Heyward — with fans roaring on their feet — to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.
“Great atmosphere with a good team coming in here,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “They bring a lot of fans, too, and our fans were just wearing them out.
“It was good stu , and a big win.”
Jordan Zimmermann (6-5) pitched six e ective innings for Detroit, continuing Chicago’s misery.
The NL Central-leading Cubs were held to one run via homer for the fifth straight game, dropping the last three in the o ensive slide. This time, Anthony Rizzo led o the sixth with his 19th homer, falling to his knees as he drove Zimmermann’s first pitch over the wall in right.
But that was it once again for Chicago.
“I can’t really find too much wrong with how we are playing,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “The defense has been great and we’re pitching well. We’re just not hitting.
“Once a game, we hit our home run and then we don’t take advantage of our other chances.”
Help could be on the way after the Cubs acquired Daniel Murphy in a trade with Washington before the game. The three-time All-Star missed the start of the season because of knee surgery, but is hitting .340 (35 for 103) since the AllStar break.