Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/28/26): Cubs 8, Padres 3 – PCA Homer Helps Snap Losing Streak at 3
The Cubs snapped their brief three-game losing streak at Petco Park on Tuesday night against the Padres. They put a big crooked number up in the middle innings to transform a close contest into a comfortable victory.
Chicago grabbed an early lead when Dansby Swanson hit a two-run double off of Walker Buehler in the top of the 2nd. Swanson was forced to come out of the game with what is hopefully a minor cramp in his butt muscle. Pads shortstop Xander Bogaerts cut the deficit in half with a long solo home run against Edward Cabrera in the bottom of the frame.
San Diego evened the score on an RBI single by Ty France in the bottom of the 4th. Nico Hoerner put the North Siders back in front with a double against David Morgan that plated a pair and made it 4-2 in the 6th.
Cabrera began to tire in the bottom of that frame, giving up a run-scoring single to Luis Campusano that got the Padres to within 4-3. The Cubs put together their big rally in the top of the 7th inning against left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta.
Pinch-hitter Alex Bregman hit an RBI single with two outs to increase Chicago’s advantage to 5-3. Then Pete Crow-Armstrong got hold of a pitch in the middle of the plate and lifted a three-run homer to center field to increase the margin to 8-3.
Reliever Ryan Rolison pitched the final two innings with ease and secured manager Craig Counsell‘s 900th career victory by the same 8-3 score. (Box score)
Key Moment
Bregman got the day off with a sore toe after being hit by a pitch Sunday, but Counsell tabbed him to hit for injury replacement Nicky Lopez with runners on the corners and two outs in the 7th. The Cubs’ third baseman came through with a huge hit that was followed by a home run to put the game away.
Why the Cubs Won
They got a good effort from their starter and expanded on the lead with several insurance runs to prevent any kind of comeback.
Stats That Matter
- Cabrera was pretty good, but tired in his final inning: 5.2 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 7 K, and 1 BB.
- Seiya Suzuki got on base three times with a walk and two hard-hit singles.
- It was huge to see PCA hit a home run and work a walk against left-handed pitchers, given his recent struggles against them.
- Bregman had two hits in two at-bats.
Bottom Line
This win was important to keep them from going on a losing skid after three tough games. It has been very difficult for Chicago to put together any kind of consistent bullpen with all the injuries, but a couple of relievers are starting to emerge as reliable options. This team has plenty of offense, so just keeping some sort of effective bullpen will lead to more wins.
On Deck
The rubber match of the series is Wednesday afternoon at 3:10pm CT. Jameson Taillon takes the hill against Matt Waldron in a contest broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
