In Chicago, the Cubs secured a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night. Key players, Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki, provided crucial hits in the fifth inning, each smashing a home run to solidify their lead.
Miguel Amaya shined for Chicago, contributing three hits in his perfect 3 for 3 performance, while Kyle Tucker added an RBI triple, aiding the Cubs, who had recently lost four out of their last five games. Colin Rea, the Cubsโ starting right-hander, delivered a solid performance, allowing two runs on six hits over a season-high 6 2/3 innings before being substituted. Rea advanced to a 3-0 record following this favorable outcome.
Derek Hill, recently back after a 22-game absence due to a left wrist sprain, hit a two-run homer for Miami, cutting into the Cubsโ lead. Rea was succeeded on the mound by Daniel Palencia, who adeptly secured four outs. Drew Pomeranz then took over closing duties, achieving his first save since 2020 by professionally navigating the ninth inning. Meanwhile, Miami, languishing at the bottom of the standings, logged another loss, making it their twelfth defeat in the past fifteen games.
Cal Quantrill, the Marlinsโ right-hander, struggled on the mound, surrendering three runs and four hits over 4 1/3 innings. The struggles for Miami continued into the fifth inning when the Cubs took a decisive lead. Nico Hoerner singled, advancing with Swansonโs ninth homer that sailed into left-center. Following this, Tuckerโs triple drove in Amaya, and Suzuki capped the inning with his tenth home run.
A tense moment unfolded in the ninth inning as Miami attempted a last-minute rally. Connor Norby made it to base with a pinch-hit single, but their efforts were thwarted when Pomeranz struck out Hill, preserving Chicagoโs lead. The Cubs, a team leading the NL with 233 runs, were relieved to break a recent trend of scoring two or fewer runs in four of their last seven games.
As the series continues, Miamiโs Valente Bellozo, currently holding a 0-2 record with a 3.50 ERA, is set to pitch against Chicagoโs Ben Brown, who has a 3-3 record and a 4.95 ERA, on Tuesday. Fans of both teams eagerly await this matchup, hoping for an exciting continuation of this series.