CHICAGO — Miguel Amaya blasted his first career grand slam and knocked in a personal-best five runs, powering the Chicago Cubs to a 10-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, clinching the three-game series.
Justin Steele (4-5) struck out a season-high 10 over seven innings, contributing to the Cubs’ easy win as they aim to close the gap for the National League’s third wild card. The Cubs are 11-7 for the month of August.
Amaya, batting ninth, ignited the offense with a second-inning grand slam off reliever Kenta Maeda (2-6), giving the Cubs a 4-0 lead. He added an RBI single in the seventh, although he was thrown out attempting a double.
“It feels amazing,” Amaya said. “It’s a childhood dream come true, especially for the team. We’ve had some ups and downs, but we won the series.”
Amaya’s three hits raised his batting average to .221, and since July 12, he’s batting .300 with four home runs, thanks to a midseason adjustment to his stance that improved his timing.
Manager Craig Counsell noted, “He’s got both confidence and adjustment going right now. He’s making solid contact and getting results.”
Cody Bellinger doubled and scored in the third inning, then added an RBI single in the fourth to make it 6-0.
Steele allowed two runs on four hits, throwing 94 pitches without issuing a walk. The Cubs improved to 25-15 in interleague play.
Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Maeda was charged with six runs and nine hits over five innings, and the Tigers lost two of three to the Cubs after winning six of their previous seven games.
Detroit’s Tyler Holton retired the first three batters, but Amaya’s grand slam in the second inning broke the game open. Bellinger added a double and scored in the third, while Ian Happ’s double and Bellinger’s single in the fourth extended the Cubs’ lead.