Happ gets on base 5 times, Cubs rally in 9th to beat Rangers 9-5

Ian Happ tied his career high with four hits and drew a tiebreaking bases-loaded walk in a four-run ninth inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 9-5 on Sunday to salvage the finale of their opening three-game series.

With the score 5-5, Jose Leclerc (0-1) walked Michael Busch with one out, allowed Nico Hoerner’s swinging-bunt single down the third-base line and walked Mike Tauchman. Miles Mastrobuoni grounded into a forceout at the plate, Happ walked on a full-count fastball and Seiya Suzuki greeted Jacob Latz with a two-run single. Cody Bellinger singled in the final run.

Craig Counsell earned his first victory with the Cubs after 707 wins over nine seasons with Milwaukee.

“Great at-bats all over the ninth inning, for sure,” Counsell said. “Guys just being patient, kind of taking what was given to them at the start. Ian kind of getting down in the count and working that walk is obviously the big one. And then followed that up with some good at-bats to add some runs.”

Héctor Neris (1-0) pitched a one-hit eighth. Four Chicago relievers shut out Texas over the final five innings on two singles and one walk with seven strikeouts.

Chicago was 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base. Texas was 3 for 12 and left nine on.

Christopher Morel hit a three-run homer in the first off Jon Gray, who allowed five runs — four earned — seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Shota Imanaga will start the team’s home opener on Monday against Colorado RHP Dakota Hudson.



(AP Photo Gareth Patterson)