Morel homers in third, as Cubs rally
The rookie gives Chicago a lift in 6-5 victory over Red Sox
Cubs 6 Red Sox 5
Chicago — Christopher Morel got a belt-high pitch and launched it toward Waveland Avenue for a long two-run homer.
Another big moment for the rookie from the Dominican Republic. And he's had a few lately, whether he was delivering at the plate or in the field.
Morel homered in his third consecutive game, and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 on Friday.
The Cubs took advantage of 10 walks by five pitchers and came back after falling behind 4-0.
Morel came up big again when he launched a tying tworun drive to left against Hansel Robles (1-3) with two out in the sixth.
Willson Contreras then walked and scored on a wild pitch by Jake Diekman to Nico Hoerner to make it 6-5 and cap a threerun inning. That sent the Cubs to their fourth win in five games.
Morel playing a big role is becoming the norm for the Cubs.
He had five hits in Thursday's romp over Cincinnati. He also went deep Wednesday and made a terrific throw from center field to nail a runner at the plate and help lift the Cubs to an 8-3 win over the Reds.
Against Boston, he started at second base. And as far as he's concerned, that's just fine. He'll play wherever manager David Ross wants.
“That's why I work on it every single day. Every position,” Morel said. “Anywhere they need me, that's what I'm there for, the team. Wherever they need me, I'll be there.”
The Red Sox looked ready to roll to an easy win after going 206 in June.
Jarren Duran, back in the lineup for Boston after missing a three-game series at Toronto because he's unvaccinated, drove the game's first pitch from Adrian Sampson to the center-field bushes for a home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr. made it 4-0 with a three-run double in the second. Rich Hill breezed through the first four innings before exiting with a sprained left knee in a three-run fifth.
The 10 walks were the most by Boston since 11 at the Los Angeles Angels in a 15-inning game on Aug. 30, 2019.
Hill, who debuted with the Cubs in 2005, gave up three runs and three hits in 4.2 innings. He walked four and struck out three.