The Cubs and Royals had combined for only 7 hits through 10 1/2 innings when Chris Denorfia stepped in to lead off the bottom of the 11th as a pinch hitter. He proceeded to take the first pitch he saw, a 97 mph fastball from Miguel Almonte, into deep left for his second walk-off of the year. It was an unlikely end to a game that was marked by great pitching (only 4 walks to go with the dearth of hits) and Kris Bryant moving from first to center to right and then to third.
I’m a man of relatively Spartan tastes, so it’s often the simple things that give me the greatest joy.