Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/1/26): Cubs 6, D-Backs 5 – Bullpen Survives for 9th Straight Wrigley W
The Cubs returned home to Wrigley Field to begin the month of May on a winning note against the Diamondbacks on Friday. The offense raced out to a big lead early before grinding to a halt and forcing the bullpen to hang on for a tense one-run victory.
Chicago scored three runs against Zac Gallen in the opening inning, starting with a two-run single by Michael Busch. Carson Kelly then hit a seemingly harmless pop up behind second base, but there was confusion among the Arizona defenders and the ball dropped for an RBI single to make it 3-0.
The D-backs got a run back against Colin Rea in the top of the 3rd when old friend Ildemaro Vargas hit a single. The North Siders had another three-run inning against Gallen in the bottom of the 4th, beginning with an RBI single by Dansby Swanson. A wild pitch and a double from Alex Bregman put the home team ahead 6-1.
Rea came out of the game with a runner on first and one out in the 6th, and his replacement, Ryan Rolison, ran into major trouble. A very hard bunt by Jorge Barrosa stayed fair down the third base line and hit the bag for an unlikely RBI double. Things escalated quickly after that, with Geraldo Perdomo hitting a three-run homer into the basket in left as Arizona cut the deficit to 6-5.
The Cubs relievers settled down after that and kept the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard the rest of the game. Phil Maton covered the 7th inning and Jacob Webb handled the final two to earn the save and a ninth consecutive home victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Chicago’s lineup went ice cold after the 4th inning so it was massive that the bullpen held the line in the final three frames.
Why the Cubs Won
Early scoring gave just enough cushion for the pitching to hang on at the end.
Stats That Matter
- Rea was much better than his last outing against the Dodgers: 5.1 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 6 K, and 0 BB.
- Nico Hoerner doubled but then was forced to come out of the game with a stiff neck in the 2nd.
- Busch also had a double and flew out to the warning track.
Bottom Line
Hoerner’s issue needs to be nothing major because the Cubs cannot easily replace everything he does. They continue to find ways to win despite a rotating cast in the relief corps. That is a very good sign as a couple of important bullpen pieces near a return from injury.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Shōta Imanaga takes on Ryne Nelson in a contest airing on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
