Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/9/25): Giants 8, Cubs 6 – Tucker Goes Yard in Loss

The Cubs fielded close to an Opening Day lineup against the Giants at Sloan Park on Sunday afternoon with the season opener in Japan looming. Chicago dropped the game late despite slugger Kyle Tucker getting his first hit of the spring in style with a home run.

Michael Busch got the Cubs the lead on an RBI infield single in the bottom of the 1st inning. San Francisco third baseman Casey Schmitt evened the score when he hit a solo shot off of starter Jameson Taillon in the 2nd.

Jon Berti, the likely starting second baseman until Nico Hoerner returns from injury, hit a two-run double to give the North Siders a 3-1 edge in the bottom of the 2nd. Tucker finally got off the schneid when he clubbed a solo jack — something the CI crew predicted — in the 3rd to increase the margin to 4-1.

Earlier today on The Rant, @jacobzanolla and @DEvanAltman said Tucker would get his first hit today, and it would be a home run

He homered less than two hours later….. 🔮 pic.twitter.com/60UHLxw5CT

— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) March 9, 2025

Taillon allowed a second home run to LaMonte Wade Jr. in the 4th, but a Seiya Suzuki RBI single got that tally right back in the bottom of the frame. Gage Workman knocked in a run in the 5th and Chicago was up by a score of 6-3.

That was where things stayed up to the 9th inning when left-hander Brandon Hughes imploded. He gave up a solo homer and was eventually pulled with the bases loaded and two out. Cayne Ueckert took over and immediately surrendered the game-winning grand slam to Sabin Ceballos in the 8-6 Giants victory. (Box score)

Key Moment

Not that it was a big concern, but it was still nice for Tucker to get on the board with a hit. The fact that it was a home run was a fun little bonus.

Why the Cubs Lost

This was a classic spring training loss when a couple of relievers who are going to start the season in the minors give up a game in the final at bat.

Stats That Matter

• Taillon pitched well, though he continues to have issues with the home run: 4 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 4 K, and 1 BB.
• Busch stayed hot with two more hits on Sunday.
• Ian Happ doubled, then came out after getting hit in the arm with a pitch; it appears he was scheduled to come out of the game anyway.

Bottom Line

The Cubs roster is pretty much set for the Japan trip other than a decision on Matt Shaw. It seems stronger on paper than the 2024 version, but that hardly guarantees anything. Let’s see how it plays out in about a week.

On Deck

The Cubs head to Goodyear for a matchup with the Guardians on Monday at 3:05pm CT. Shōta Imanaga is on the hill in a game that isn’t being televised.