Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/29/25): Cubs 4, D-backs 3 – Swanson Play Saves Game
The Cubs came into Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks trying to get back into the win column behind ace Shōta Imanaga. Chicago got a terrific outing from their starter but came dangerously close to blowing a 9th-inning lead before escaping thanks to a baserunning blunder by the home team.
Arizona loaded the bases in the bottom of the 2nd inning but only came away with an RBI groundout by Jake McCarthy to go up 1-0. The Cubs tied the game against Brandon Pfaadt in the 4th when Miguel Amaya doubled to left field and Pete Crow-Armstrong scored all the way from first base.
Kyle Tucker put the North Siders ahead in the 5th inning when he cranked his first home run in a Cubs uniform, a two-run shot to right field to make it 3-1. Matt Shaw expanded the lead to 4-1 with a pinch-hit solo homer, his first career dinger, in the 7th.
Imanaga went seven strong frames to put his squad in excellent shape for the win. Ryan Pressly came on for the save opportunity in the 9th and ran into huge problems. Eugenio Suárez whacked his daily home run, a two-run blast that cut the deficit to 4-3.
Arizona eventually got men on first and second with two outs and Corbin Carroll at the plate. Carroll hit a grounder deep in the hole that Dansby Swanson fielded on the backhand. Swanson had no play at first base and held onto the ball before noticing that pinch-runner Garrett Hampson had way too big of a turn around third base before falling down. Swanson sprinted at Hampson and tagged him for the final out to preserve a crazy win. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs were looking at bases loaded and a very uncertain fate after Carroll had his infield hit. A terrific heads-up play by Swanson to check third base and catch the runner wandering saved the game.
Why the Cubs Won
They got a great starting pitching effort and just enough offense to survive a bullpen adventure.
Stats That Matter
- Imanaga was very sharp Saturday and has only allowed one run in two outings this year: 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 K, and 2 BB.
- Tucker finished a triple short of the cycle and hit the ball very hard on his double and home run.
- Michael Busch had a pair of hits as well.
Bottom Line
That game certainly was not an easy victory for the Cubs and the bullpen is going to be a big factor in whether or not this is a successful season. There were some good things to note, including Imanaga dominating, Tucker displaying power, and a big swing of the bat for Shaw. That turned out to be enough for the victory in this one.
On Deck
Chicago goes for the series win Sunday afternoon at 3:10pm CT. Matthew Boyd makes his first Cubs start against lefty Eduardo Rodríguez with the TV broadcast on Marquee and radio coverage on 670 The Score.
