Back-to-back home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly jolted the offense in the fifth inning, but it was the decision Counsell made before then that saved the day. Despite Boyd only giving up 1 run into the fifth inning, Counsell turned the game over to the bullpen, and Daniel Palencia was the first man up. It was a stroke of genius for Counsell as Palencia tossed 1 and 2/3 perfect innings while striking out 2. Counsell's ability to manage a bullpen is what helped him earn the reputation of being one of the best managers in baseball, and that was on full display during the Cubs' victory on Tuesday. In a shortened three-game series, decisions like that are the difference, and the Cubs now sit in the driver's seat against the Padres.