Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/21/25): Cubs 10, Mariners 7 – Happ Homers Twice at Sweltering Wrigley
The Cubs and Mariners got together on a very hot and windy Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. There were plenty of fireworks and a couple cases of heat exhaustion, but Chicago prevailed thanks to five home runs.
Ian Happ and Kyle Tucker got the North Siders off to a great start with back-to-back home runs against Emerson Hancock before the first out in the bottom of the 1st. Luke Raley singled home a run in the 2nd off starter Cade Horton after Pete Crow-Armstrong lost a fly ball in the wind that dropped for a double.
The Cubs added four more runs in the bottom of the frame, with the big blow coming on a three-run homer by Happ, his second in as many innings. Michael Busch kept the onslaught going with his own three-run shot in the 3rd inning to put the home team ahead 9-1.
The Mariners began coming back with two runs in the 4th and three more in the 5th to cut the deficit to 9-6. Horton tried to go five innings, but he just couldn’t get over the finish line and Drew Pomeranz allowed his inherited runners to score.
PCA made up for his defensive adventures with a solo home run off of Zach Pop in the bottom of the 5th to bring the lead to 10-6. Cal Raleigh hit a homer against Daniel Palencia in the top of the 9th, but that was it as Chicago was victorious 10-7. (Box score)
Key Moment
Brad Keller came into the game with runners on first and third and nobody out in the 6th and struck out the side to keep the score 10-6.
Why the Cubs Won
They took full advantage of the favorable wind conditions and blasted five home runs.
Stats That Matter
- Horton did as well as he could with such brutal conditions: 4.2 IP, 6 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 K, 2 BB.
- Happ now has four home runs in his last three games.
- Busch continues to play very well, reaching base three more times.
- Carson Kelly had a single and a double after struggling recently.
Bottom Line
The offense was not going to stay down forever and it’s clearly showing signs of life. Happ is entirely capable of carrying the team on his shoulders when he gets on one of his patented hot streaks, which it seems like is happening right now. Playing games under such intense heat is draining for everyone involved, with home plate umpire Chad Whitson and Seattle pitcher Trent Thornton having to come out of the game with heat-related issues.
On Deck
It’s going to be another scorcher for the rubber match of the series Sunday at 1:20pm CT. Colin Rea takes the hill against Logan Gilbert in a game broadcast on Marquee with the radio feed on 670 The Score.
