Looking back on Cubs wild comeback vs Mariners

[Andrew Wright]

Early in the 2023 season, the Cubs were trying to figure out life with the new additions of Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer. The two were both in the starting lineup Apr. 11, 2023, when Chicago took on the Seattle Mariners in the second of a three-game set. The game looked like one to turn off and forget after the second inning, but the boys in blue had fight in them and turned it into a memorable game for plenty of Cubs fans. 

Headed to the bottom of the third inning, the Cubs trailed 7-1 and it felt like it was going to be one of those turn it off and go to bed early type of nights for fans of the North Siders.

Dansby Swanson started the bottom half of the third inning with a single. Ian Happ popped out and then Mancini launched his first home run as a Cub to cut the Mariners lead to 7-3

The next four Cubs would reach base, including an RBI single from Hosmer to make it a 7-4 game. That set the stage for Nelson Velazquez to step up to the plate with the bases loaded and what happened next will be etched into the minds of Cubs fans for years to come.

Velazquez launched a 396-foot grand slam to left center to give the Cubs an 8-7 lead and send Wrigley Field into an absolute frenzy. The homer for Velazquez was his first of the season and it helped bring Chicago out of an early 7-0 hole.

The grand slam was part of a three-hit and four RBI night for Velazquez. It was undoubtedly his best game as a Cub, and he was later traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed reliever Jose Cuas.

Chicago would push across six more runs throughout the remainder of the game and win by a final score of 14-8. It was a fun early season moment for the Cubs in 2023 and a moment that fans will certainly remember for the foreseeable future.

 

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