Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/31/25): Cubs 18, Athletics 3 – Carson Kelly Cycle Game
The Cubs began a series against the Athletics Monday night at their temporary stadium in Sacramento trying to shake off their Sunday bullpen meltdown against the Diamondbacks. Chicago discovered the best way to avoid late-inning drama is to put up a ton of runs, winning in blowout fashion by a score of 18-3.
The North Siders started the onslaught in the top of the 1st with four runs against A’s starter Joey Estes. Michael Busch hit a two-run homer to right field and Dansby Swanson made it back-to-back with a solo shot to center. Jacob Wilson got one of those tallies back on a home run off of Ben Brown in the 3rd.
Cubs catcher Carson Kelly began what would be a huge night with a solo dinger right down the left-field line in the 4th. The Athletics rallied in the bottom of the frame, scoring a pair on a double and an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Chicago blew the game wide open with five runs in the 5th inning. Kelly and Busch each had two-run singles as the advantage grew to 10-3. The road team did not take their foot off the gas, piling up six more in the 6th. Doubles from Kyle Tucker and Swanson were some of the key hits in that explosive frame.
Kelly capped off a truly tremendous evening with an RBI triple in the 8th inning to give him the first Cubs cycle since 1993. Tucker capped the scoring with a long home run to right field in the 9th to complete the 18-3 victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Chicago immediately responded to the A’s rally in the 4th with a huge inning to put the game out of reach and ease the pressure on the bullpen.
Why the Cubs Won
The offense absolutely went off and assured a victory Monday.
Stats That Matter
- Brown did a nice job and had ample run support to grab a win: 5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 5 K, and 2 BB.
- Just an absolute dream night for Kelly, who had five RBI and walked twice.
- Tucker looks as good as advertised with four hits.
- Busch had three hits and four RBI.
Bottom Line
That game was much more fun than Sunday’s debacle for everyone involved, at least on the Cubs’ side of things. Mark Grace was the last Chicago hitter to hit for the cycle, so this makes Kelly’s heroics quite a memorable occasion. Even though it only counts for one win, it felt like these could be springboard performances.
On Deck
The Cubs try to win the series at Sutter Health Park Tuesday night at 9:05pm CT. Justin Steele takes the mound against Luis Severino with a broadcast on Marquee with radio coverage on 670 The Score.