Cubs Rookie David Bote Hits Pinch Hit Grand Slam in Victory Over Nationals

Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman David Bote is doing a pretty good job filling in for Kris Bryant while the latter is on the disabled list. In the Cubs’ game against the Washington Nationals on August 12th, Bote really came through.

Bote didn’t start the game at third, but came in as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs and Washington leading 3-0. The game had been a great pitching duel between Washington’s Max Scherzer and Chicago’s Cole Hamels. Scherzer had allowed no runs on three hits in seven innings pitched, and was in position to be the winner, while Hamels had allowed just one run on one hit in seven innings (reliever Brandon Kinsler had allowed the other two runs) but stood to be the loser. That is until Bote stepped to the plate against Ryan Madson:

This was the first time in major league history a player has hit a walk off grand slam with two out and two strikes. In 34 games, Bote is hitting .329 with three homers and 18 RBIs, with an on base percentage of .418, and a .957 OPS. Whenever Bryant returns, the Cubs will no doubt still have a place for Bote on the roster. Bryant, on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, is working out but at this point there is no projected date for his return.