Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/26/25): Cubs 12, Cardinals 1 – Offensive Explosion Secures Win 90
The Cubs welcomed Kyle Tucker back to the lineup Friday afternoon and celebrated in style by pounding the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Chicago hit four more home runs and scored seven in the 7th inning to put win number 90 on ice.
Nico Hoerner got things started with a solo shot of Miles Mikolas in the bottom of the 1st. Pete Crow-Armstrong expanded on the lead with a long two-run homer in the 4th inning that gave the North Siders a 3-0 edge and put PCA in the 30/30 Club.
Michael Busch went deep to center field to make it 4-0 in the 5th. The Cubs got another nice outing from Colin Rea, who pitched into the 6th and didn’t allow a run. Chicago then exploded for a lucky seven against the Cardinals bullpen in the 7th.
Gordon Graceffo was the first victim, giving up a triple to Matt Shaw, a double to Busch, and an RBI single to Ian Happ that made it 7-1. Chris Roycroft relieved Graceffo and, after a walk loaded the bases, Seiya Suzuki unloaded them with a grand slam that put the North Siders in front 11-1.
Kevin Alcantara tacked on an RBI double in the bottom of the 8th inning as Chicago would win by a score of 12-1. (Box score)
Key Moment
The big outburst in the 7th inning took all the drama out of this game.
Why the Cubs Won
The pitching staff did a good job, but it is almost impossible to lose when you score 12 runs.
Stats That Matter
- That is two good starts in a row and just quality work in general recently from Rea: 5.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 7 K, 1 BB.
- Tucker had a single and a walk in five plate appearances.
- Busch continued to slug with two more extra-base hits.
- Suzuki has 30 homers and over 100 RBI after his third dinger in the last two games.
- PCA joins Sammy Sosa as the only Cubs to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season
Bottom Line
After all of the hemming and hawing down the stretch, the Cubs have 90 wins for only the 10th time since 1945. This is a very good team, especially when Tucker is in the lineup. Sometimes it is easy to forget when things aren’t going great, but they have a shot in October if they’re healthy.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Jameson Taillon starts against Michael McGreevy in a matchup available on MLB Network and Marquee with a radio feed on 670 The Score.
