Ian Happ almost single-handedly defeated the Pirates with three great diving catches
The Cubs defeated the Pirates, 3-1, before the Wrigley faithful on Friday afternoon. Without
He got started in the top of the third. The Pirates were threatening with two on and two out when
Three innings later, he was at it again. This time, he had to race backward on
Moran could only look on in despair:
And then, with the Pirates hoping for a last-gasp hope in the top of the ninth, once again Happ was there to deny them. With a runner on third,
But no, Happ closed the gap and made the grab:
Perhaps he pulled it off with the power of Guy Fieri-style sunglasses on the back of his head:
That seems like as good an explanation for this outrageous game-long defensive display as any.
"You just want to make the play," Happ said. "To be able to make the play for them like that and the atmosphere here, and making the last out on a diving play like that is pretty cool."
"I take pride in the defense because it helps the team," he said.
"He saved the game," manager Joe Maddon said. "Literally, he saved the game with a couple catches."