Ezequiel Pagan belted a two-run HR, Matt Mervis blasted a solo HR off the third base-side exterior facade of Sloan Park, Yeison Santana singled twice and drove-in a run, and Parker Chavers (Cubs 2021 7th round pick) singled, walked, stole a base and scored two runs for the Cubs, and Zack Gelof (Oakland Athletics 2021 2nd round draft pick) drilled a two-run triple, a double, and an RBI single, and scored two runs, Max Muncy (A's 2021 1st round pick) singled twice, walked, and scored two runs, and Denzel Clarke (A's 2021 4th round pick) laced an RBI double, walked, reached base on an HBP, and scored a run for the A's, as the two teams played to a 6-6 tie in AZ Instructional League Opening Day game action Tuesday afternoon on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):  

The Cubs face the Twins for a two-game series.

The Cubs are trying to wring every last bit of good things out of the end of the season. As I am in an analogous situation with my father, this is the full post. Like many of you, my father is my first connection to baseball. Enjoy these games with your people if you can.

The Cubs dropped three to K.B. and the Giants--two close ones and a laugher. Next, they'll visit the recently underwater city of brotherly love for three games. See below for the daily matchups.

The Cubs welcomed back Kris Bryant and dropped game 1 of the series on Friday. They continue the series against the contending Giants as the North Siders get their say in the NL Wild Card throughout the final month of the season.

The Cubs have taken six in a row from sub-.500 teams and now turn their attention to the Cincinnati Reds. This will be the final matchup of 2021 between the Cubs and the second place Reds. The Cincinnati crew enters the series only half a game out of a wild card spot and eleven games back in the NL Central. See below for the daily matchups.