Sometimes momentum can shift when a reliever enters.

For the Chicago Cubs, right-hander Keegan Thompson wielded the game-changing performance after manager David Ross went to the hard-throwing 27-year-old in a tough spot Monday.

Thompson delivered a hammer to a Tampa Bay Rays lineup that had no answer for his arsenal. The Rays had tied the score at 2 against starter Kyle Hendricks, who couldn’t close out the fifth inning with a one-run lead intact. Hendricks surrendered a tying one-out single to Josh Lowe, and the Rays were threatening to blow the game open. Ross opted for Thompson, who deftly escaped a similar scenario Thursday in Colorado.

Thompson needed one pitch to get out of the fifth. Randy Arozarena rolled a cutter to first baseman Frank Schwindel, who started an inning-ending double play. Thompson cruised from there, tossing 3⅔ scoreless innings. Ian Happ’s RBI single in the seventh put the Cubs ahead, and David Robertson recorded his fourth save in a 4-2 win on a frigid night at Wrigley Field.

Thompson’s efficiency in the zone again was at the root of his success: 27 of his 39 pitches were strikes, and he went to a three-ball count only once against the 11 Rays he faced while striking out five.

“He comes in, he pounds the zone, he works quick, (if) runners get on he’s quick to the plate,” Ross said. “He’s got multiple weapons. Throwing strikes is key. You can fall behind and still come back. He‘s been a starter and has a feel for working through the lineup a couple of times and also dealing with traffic, so there’s a lot to like about him.”

Thompson became the first Cubs reliever since Marcus Mateo on June 30, 2011, to throw at least 3⅔ innings and allow two baserunners or fewer. Through Monday’s appearance, Thompson has not given up a run in 9⅔ innings this season with 11 strikeouts, two walks and four hits allowed.

“I have a little more experience and having some of that under my belt, yes, it does give you a lot more confidence,” Thompson said. “And when you’re throwing well, you have a lot of confidence as well. So I’m excited to get back on the mound between each pitch.”

Hitters can’t key in on one or two pitches against Thompson, who has mixed his repertoire well. Although his curveball has been his most effective strikeout pitch, tallying five strikeouts with it this year, Thompson has recorded at least two strikeouts each on his cutter and four-seam fastball.

That leaves hitters in a tough spot, even if one or two of those pitches is off in a given game. Thompson said he missed some spots with his cutter and four-seam fastball Monday, but the frosty weather helped his stuff play better than a typical environment.

“Just trying to fill up the strike zone when it’s cold,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tougher for guys to get hits and hit the ball out of the park, so just trying to sit in the strike zone and work quick. … It‘s just getting your arm warm and keeping it warm. As long as you stay warm, you have an advantage as a pitcher in colder weather.”

Ross thought Hendricks pitched pretty well despite lasting only 4⅓ innings. Ross attributed some of Hendricks’ issues to three bad at-bats and struggling to finish hitters with his curveball, which isn’t his typical go-to pitch.

Hendricks believes he needs to do a better job attacking hitters and not letting too many counts get deep. He threw a first-pitch strike to half of the batters.

Hendricks’ 17 strikeouts through three starts are his most in a three-start span to begin a season, surpassing his 15 strikeouts in 2016 and 2020.

“At least I didn’t give in,” Hendricks said. “Executed a lot of pitches, rhythm was a lot better, angle and establishing my fastball, so it’s definitely on the right track. Just need a little bit more.”

Patrick Wisdom (two-run home run), Happ (RBI single) and Frank Schwindel (solo homer) provided the offense. Wisdom’s no-doubt homer to left field in the second gave the Cubs another early lead. They’ve held a lead in each of their first 10 games, their longest stretch since 2010 (also 10).

Thompson ensured the Cubs didn’t squander a winnable game.

“It’s very similar to last year,” Hendricks said. “We’ve seen it. It’s in there. But, man, he’s dominant right now.”

()