Johnny Cueto

Javier Baez wins Game 1 for the Cubs with an eighth-inning blast

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:45 p.m. ET

Zack Pierce

The Giants and Cubs were locked in a classic pitchers' duel in Game 1 of their National League Division Series on Friday when Javier Baez strutted to the plate with the teams in a scoreless tie in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Johnny Cueto had been mowing down Chicago's vaunted lineup, over 7 2/3 brilliant innings. And then this happened:

And that's it. That was all the Cubs needed. Aroldis Chapman nailed down the save — despite surrendering a two-out double to Buster Posey in the ninth — and the Cubs lead the series 1-0.

What an enormous hit for a franchise that hasn't won the World Series since 1908 but is roundly expected to do so in 2016. Really helps get the butterflies out.

Baez was understandably pumped:

Bill Murray even got in on the action:

Game 2 is Saturday, and if the Cubs don't win it they'll go back to San Francisco tied 1-1 and will face Mr. Automatic, Madison Bumgarner, in Game 3. So don't celebrate just yet, Chicago.

They'll remember this in Chicago ... forever. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/PAspghwgz0
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2016

Javy be good. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/IflHnASiNm
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 8, 2016

.@javy23baez could literally keep going throughout the entire city of Chicago ... #NLDS pic.twitter.com/nIn9F7rhfS
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 8, 2016