Chapman puts rough outing behind him

SAN FRANCISCO — Joe Maddon liked the matchups in the eighth inning. He wasn’t planning on using Aroldis Chapman for a six-out save. But baseball games don’t always turn out the way you want them to.

The Cubs led by a run heading into the bottom of the eighth against the Giants in Monday night’s 6-5 loss in 13 innings, needing six outs to clinch the National League Division Series. Travis Wood started the eighth, gave up a single to Brandon Belt, and was lifted for Hector Rondon, who walked Buster Posey. Maddon then called on Chapman.

Game 4 in the best-of-five series, with the Cubs leading 2-1, is on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 CT on FS1.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 7   CHC 1, SF 0 Gm 2 Oct. 8   CHC 5, SF 2 Gm 3 Oct. 10   SF 6, CHC, 5 (13) Gm 4 Oct. 11 8:30 p.m. CHC @ SF FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 8:30 p.m. SF @ CHC FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ET • Division Series start time scenarios • Giants vs. Cubs NLDS coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Giants

“Had [Rondon] gotten Posey out, I would have let him pitch to [Hunter] Pence right there but there was a threat for a bunt, there’s all kinds of things they could have done there,” Maddon said. “And I know it’s hard to bunt [a 100-mph pitch]. So, let’s just bring [Chapman] in right there, give him a little wiggle room. He gets a strikeout and then you feel kind of OK about things.”

Chapman did …

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