Cubs 9, Tigers 3: 11,000

The Chicago Cubs are the only MLB franchise to remain in one city since the National League was created in 1876.

144 years after that creation, the franchise reached 11,000 total wins Monday with a 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Only the Giants, with 11,179 wins, have more.

This win was particularly satisfying because all the things the Cubs have struggled with over the last week or so — starting pitching, offense — got themselves back on track Monday evening. Specifically, Javier Baez had a big night after a long slump that had him go 5-for-41 (.122) over his previous 12 games entering Monday night’s contest.

The Cubs went out quietly against Casey Mize in the first inning, then the offense got itself going in the second. Willson Contreras singled and Victor Caratini was hit by a pitch. With two out, David Bote gave the Cubs the lead [VIDEO].

Nico Hoerner then made it 2-0 [VIDEO].

The Tigers pushed across a run in the third inning, but the Cubs broke the game open in the fourth. Bote began the festivities [VIDEO].

That ball was absolutely demolished:

Nico then reached on an error and — wonder of wonders, stole second base, where Anthony Rizzo drove him in to make it 4-1 [VIDEO].

Then Javy went oppo! [VIDEO]

That was also an impressive blast:

While all this was going on, Alec Mills was putting together a solid outing. He was dinged for a two-run homer by Christin Stewart in the seventh, making the score 6-3 Cubs, but overall a seven-inning, seven-hit, three-run, one-walk, seven-strikeout outing is perfectly fine for the “Adjunct Professor.”

The Cubs put the game out of reach in the ninth inning. Javy again! [VIDEO]

That was a really good night for Javy. He also singled, and in the sixth hit a deep drive to center field that was almost a third home run. Hopefully this really gets him going. He put baseballs all over the field on several different types of pitches, too:

The Cubs loaded the bases later in the inning on a single by Kyle Schwarber, a double (his second of the game) by Jason Heyward and an intentional walk given to Caratini. Bases-loaded situations have been where the Cubs offense has gone to die so far this year. They’d been 0-for-2 with the bags jammed in this game previously, but this time they made it pay off, thanks to Bote [VIDEO].

Bote also had a big night, with the homer, two singles and four RBI. His 17 RBI now lead the team and . He had also been scuffling a bit. Coming into Monday’s game he was in a 3-for-22 slump. Hopefully Bote, Baez and the rest of the offense are now ready to really break out. The nine runs are two more than they scored in the entire White Sox series over the weekend.

Ryan Tepera and Colin Rea finished up with one scoreless inning each.

The Cubs improved their record vs. American League teams to 7-3 with this win, and they’ll go for two in a row against the Tigers Tuesday evening in Detroit. Tyler Chatwood will be activated from the injured list to start for the Cubs and Spencer Turnbull will go for the Tigers. Game time is again 6:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.