Dansby Swanson’s hair was everywhere Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
It even seemed like it was on fire as he busted down the first-base line to get the Cubs a big insurance run in their 2-0 victory over the Reds.
“You’re taught to get down the line,” Swanson said. “It’s really that simple.”
Fans in the stands sported a giveaway wig that mimicked Swanson’s flowing locks. Meanwhile, on the field, the man himself struck out three times before finding another way to help his team win a game.
The Cubs had taken a 1-0 lead earlier in the eighth inning. Designated hitter Seiya Suzuki’s fly ball found the right combination of sun, wind and a brick wall to flummox Reds right fielder Will Benson, who let it drop for an RBI double.
Swanson came up a few batters later, with the bases loaded, and grounded to shortstop. But rather than concede an out, he hustled to first and beat the throw from Elly De La Cruz, which allowed the Cubs to get their second run.
“You’re just running in anger [over the routine ground ball], maybe,” Swanson joked. “That’s the way you kind of get it out.
“Not everything’s going to go perfect; not everything’s going to go the way you want it to in a game. There are moments in the season; there are struggles; there are ups and downs. But effort is always one thing you can consistently give.”
Though the Reds mounted no further threat — they had only one hit — Cubs manager Craig Counsell pointed out that the extra run might have made the difference in Pete Crow-Armstrong’s decision to make a diving attempt on a line drive to center field in the ninth inning. The attempt was successful, a spectacular highlight-reel snag.
Swanson, a defensive whiz himself at shortstop, has shown off plenty of ways to make an impact besides with the bat this season.
“There are baserunning things that can be done,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘There are defensive plays. There are so many different ways, and that was one of the ways it happened today.”
What about on the promotional front, though? Did the Cubs ace the Swanson-hair giveaway?
“It’s not as good as the real thing,” Swanson joked.
Hodge’s hip
Counsell said reliever Porter Hodge is over the strained oblique that landed him on the injured list.
But a new issue, a left hip impingement, has slowed Hodge down.
Counsell said the Cubs are working through Hodge’s latest ailment and hope he’s able to throw bullpen sessions next week. Given the time off, Hodge “definitely” will need a rehab assignment before returning to the major-league team.
“We’re looking at a couple of weeks still,” Counsell said.
Can’t catch Kyle
Right fielder Kyle Tucker stole his 16th base, a total that ranks him near the major-league lead. Coming into Saturday, only four players had stolen more than 16 bases.
Tucker is 16-for-16, the most steals in the majors without being caught.