Hoerner entered the day with fewer hard-hit balls (60) than games played (63), but he made hard contact three times against three different pitchers in this one. He has four hits the last two days after going 3-for-26 in his previous seven contests.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell was also tossed by home plate umpire Derek Thomas for voicing his disagreement with a called third strike on Hoerner during the fifth inning. The 28-year-old second baseman was replaced by Vidal Bruján at the keystone after going 0-for-2 on the day.

With no homers and just eight walks in 174 plate appearances, Hoerner’s .662 OPS is being carried almost entirely by singles. Fortunately, he does have nine steals, which is keeping him viable in mixed leagues.

Hoerner knocked a base hit in the second inning, then singled in the sixth for his second hit. Leading off with the game tied in the tenth inning, he drove in the go-ahead run with a triple. The 27-year-old second baseman is hitting well in the early going, slashing .328/.371/.391 with 11 RBI and six steals across 70 plate appearances.