Carson Kelly’s pinch-hit, 3-run HR sends Cubs to 4th consecutive victory

Cubs manager Craig Counsell pushed back on the suggestion that pinch-hitting for the left-handed-hitting Moises Ballesteros against a left-hander pitcher risks messing with the 22-year-old’s mind, feelings and development.‘‘This is a team,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘And we’re going to put players in positions to have success, and that trumps the other thing.’’That was Saturday morning — before Counsell called on catcher Carson Kelly to pinch-hit for Ballesteros against Mets left-hander Brooks Raley with two on and two outs in the sixth inning of a tie game hours later.Counsell got the righty-against-lefty matchup he preferred, and Kelly was ready, launching Raley’s first pitch into the bleachers for the second pinch home run of his career to fuel the Cubs to a 4-2 victory and extend their winning streak to four games.‘‘Pinch-hitting is a hard thing to do,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘You go up there and say you’re going to be aggressive, and he got a good pitch to hit. You have to get your swings off.’’It can be hard to be pinch-hit for, but such is life in the majors, as the sweet-swinging, red-hot Ballesteros is learning fast. Right-handed-hitting Matt Shaw batted for him in the Cubs’ 12-4 victory Friday after Ballesteros had two hits, including a homer. He is batting .381, easily the best average among rookies in the majors. He had another hit Saturday and is 10-for-12 with two homers and a double in his last six games.But Kelly, who was staying warm and preparing behind the scenes, was the right man for the job against Raley.‘‘Heck of a job managing there,’’ said outfielder Ian Happ, whose sixth homer of the season in the second provided the Cubs’ first run against tough right-hander Freddy Peralta. ‘‘Pinch-hit three-run homer, that’s a good day for the manager.’’‘‘There are no training wheels,’’ Counsell said....