PITTSBURGH — When Cubs manager Craig Counsell implied pregame Monday that All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker still wouldn’t be ready to return from the injured list, it became clear there could be several more games where the rest of his lineup would have to pick up the slack.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since Sept. 2 with a left calf strain he suffered in a game vs. Atlanta, and was placed on the IL a few days later. Tucker had since resumed swinging the bat and throwing the ball, but running was always the last hurdle — one he hasn’t been able to clear.
Playing in the first game of their final road trip of the regular season, the Cubs’ bats supplied enough offense without both Tucker and Seiya Suzuki (illness) to earn a 4-0 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park. Despite scoring just four runs, Chicago tallied nine hits and reached base in seven of nine innings.
First baseman Michael Busch slugged his 28th home run of the season, a Statcast-projected 418-foot blast, in the third inning to get the scoring going against Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft. Nico Hoerner singled four pitches later, and later came around to score on a wild pitch. An inning later, Dansby Swanson doubled home Pete Crow-Armstrong, putting Chicago ahead, 3-0.
In the sixth, Crow-Armstrong launched his 29th home run of the season, putting him just one swing away from the exclusive 30-30 club, a feat only Sammy Sosa (1993, ‘95) has accomplished with the club.
The offense backed up Chicago starter Jameson Taillon, who dealt six shutout innings en route to his 10th victory of the season. Taillon struck out three and allowed just two hits and two walks.
Concerns regarding Tucker’s injury are legitimate, as the Cubs’ offense hasn’t been nearly the same without him this season, with Chicago (86-64) currently slated to begin the NL Wild Card Series in just over two weeks. Counsell said pregame that a good team typically involves each hitter taking turns “driving the bus.”
On Sunday night, it was Hoerner, who went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs in a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. Monday night, it was Crow-Armstrong, who ended his night 2-for-4, adding a double and a stolen base to his impressive home run.
“I think it’s important for us offensively when he has good nights,” Counsell said of the 23-year-old sensation. “It’s just ‘do your share,’ right? Yesterday it was Nico Hoerner, today it was Pete with some big hits, a couple of runs scored. Taking our turns … that’s how we get consistent offense.”
Crow-Armstrong, who was a key piece to a terrific first half for Chicago’s lineup, has weathered a difficult August and early September. He has hit just .198 in his last 30 games, so his performance on Monday night is a great sign for a Chicago offense that seems to be collectively turning a corner.
Entering the game, Crow-Armstrong said he’s started focusing on elevating the ball, which the coaching staff believes helps each pitch achieve more time in the zone.
“It’s great. That’s what I’m working to do every day,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It’s just nice to find the barrel a couple times and walk away feeling like my at-bats were somewhat productive.”
“It’s huge,” Taillon added of Crow-Armstrong’s night. “In the first half, when we were putting up a ton of runs, he was a focal point of our offense. He was really the centerpiece for us. Tonight: double, homer, stolen base, that’s just awesome to see him running all over the field.
“When he has a dirty uniform at the end of the game, that’s a good sign.”
The resurgence of Ian Happ, who has hit .333 with five home runs in his last 15 games, has been another boost. Entering play Monday, Happ had hit safely in 19 of his last 26 games since Aug. 17, batting .322 (29-for-90) with six homers, 14 RBI and a 1.030 OPS.
Hoerner, in the midst of the best full season of his career, has slashed .336/.392/.496 in his last 30 games, and has also helped shoulder the load for Chicago’s offense over the past month.
