Four-run sixth inning powers Cubs to doubleheader split vs. Marlins

The rally started with one swing. Rookie left fielder Alexander Canario swung at the first pitch he saw in his sixth-inning at-bat and connected on a no-doubt home run to left field.

Canario’s home run ignited a Cubs offense that found its groove late in Saturday’s 5-3 win vs. the Marlins in the second game of the doubleheader.

“In the sixth inning, we put together some good at-bats,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It was similar to what you saw the first week of the season.”

Canario was the second Cubs player to homer (center fielder Cody Bellinger hit one in the first inning) and it opened the floodgates for the Cubs.

After Marlins rookie right-hander Roddery Munoz — who was making his major-league debut after posting a 10.97 ERA in three games at Triple-A Jacksonville — held the offense in check through his five innings, Canario’s home run seemed to energize the team.

Once Marlins reliever Anthony Bender replaced Munoz, the offense started clicking.

For much of Game 2, the Cubs were aggressive in their approach. But their ability to draw walks and work long at-bats has made the offense formidable for much of this season. The team saw 39 pitches in the sixth inning.

In their four-run sixth inning, the Cubs got back to their identity.

The Cubs needed the win after dropping Game 1 following a blown save by closer Adbert Alzolay.

Brown in the bullpen

Maybe it’s smart that rookie right-hander Ben Brown has a locker next to veteran Drew Smyly. Like Smyly, Brown has shown he can either be a starter or handle relief innings.

With a creative manager like Counsell, that versatility is necessary. Most pitchers—Brown included — aspire to be starters in the majors and handle that workload, but a pitcher’s arm is prone to injuries. They have to be brought along slowly.

Counsell has cache in the locker room when it comes to deploying pitchers because of his success with starters Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff in Milwaukee.

Brown pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing no hits in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Brown said he talked with Smyly about handling being a starter and a multi-inning reliever because Smyly pitched primarily out of the bullpen in his second season with the Detroit Tigers after starting as a rookie.

“It’s similar to what we’re dealing with now,” Brown said of the similarities between his and Smyly’s situations. “He’s been able to guide me through how important it is for the team for me to be at my best in whatever position.”

Counsell said it’s beneficial for the Cubs that Brown is stretched out and that he’ll make starts.

“We need to use them in more than three-out situations,” Counsell said of the young pitchers on the roster. “It’s important that we take advantage of their length because those are staff savers and helps the guys around them.”

Happ update

Left fielder Ian Happ didn’t play in Saturday’s doubleheader after suffering left hamstring tightness on Friday.

Happ suffered a left hamstring strain during spring training, so the club is being cautious with him. Counsell said it’s unlikely Happ is in the lineup on Sunday. The Cubs have an off day on Monday.