The Chicago Cubs hold a 29-24 record following a difficult home series at Wrigley Field. The club fell 8-5 to the Houston Astros. This completed a three-game sweep and extended their losing streak to eight games.
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MLB Game Recap
The Cubs lost 8-5 to Houston as a five-run fifth inning proved insurmountable. Chicago led 3-1 early. The lead came from RBI efforts by rookie Pedro Ramírez, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Nico Hoerner. However, starter Shota Imanaga struggled with the long ball. Imanaga surrendered three home runs to finish with a line of (6.0, 7, 7, 6, 94), including a decisive three-run shot to Christian Walker. Relievers Ethan Roberts and Phil Maton threw scoreless frames before Caleb Thielbar allowed a ninth-inning insurance run. Despite Michael Busch’s late home run, the offense struggled. They finished 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They also left eight men on base.
Standout Performer
Michael Busch was the primary offensive catalyst, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, one run, and a walk. His 378-foot two-run home run in the seventh inning brought the Cubs within two. It provided a rare late-game spark for a struggling lineup. Busch and Carson Kelly have been the team’s only consistent hitters during this abysmal stretch.
Key News & Notes
The Cubs placed Edward Cabrera on the 15-day IL (retroactive to May 21) due to a right middle-finger blister. They recalled Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa. Rookie Pedro Ramírez provided a rare highlight. In his first career start at second base, he recorded his first MLB hit with an RBI double. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of improving home run prevention. He noted, “It’s tough to win games when you’re giving up the number of homers we’re giving up”.
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Farm Report
- Triple-A Iowa: Ben Cowles went 3-for-4. He hit a grand slam and two doubles. He also had 6 RBIs in an 18-4 victory over Memphis. He anchored a 17-hit attack that featured a nine-run second inning.
- Double-A Knoxville: Ariel Armas was 1-for-3 with a two-run double in a 7-3 loss to Montgomery. The Smokies struggled defensively, allowing seven stolen bases in the defeat.
- High-A South Bend: Christian Olivo finished 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. He also had a stolen base in a 5-4 win against West Michigan. Olivo’s multi-hit effort helped South Bend overcome a late four-run collapse by the bullpen.
- Single-A Myrtle Beach: James Diaz went 2-for-2 with a walk, but the Pelicans were shut out 5-0 by Kannapolis. The lineup was stifled by a dominant seven-inning, eight-strikeout start from Eikhoff.
- Rookie: ACL Cubs did not have a scheduled game on Sunday.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs open a road series in Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon. Ben Brown will take the ball for the Cubs, the Pirates will send Carmen Mlodzinski (4-3, 3.96 ERA) to the mound.
The rotation is thinned by injuries. The losing streak has reached eight games. The team desperately needs an offensive spark to save the season. What do you think?
