Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/25/26: GM 1): Red Sox 4, Cubs 3 – Offense Stays Cold in Boston Loss
The Cubs’ chances for home-field advantage in the Wild Card took a big hit when they lost the first half of a doubleheader to the Red Sox at Fenway Park Friday afternoon. The road team went out in front early but could not maintain the lead and suffered a one-run defeat.
Chicago got on the board against opener Alec Gamboa with an RBI double by Tyrone Taylor in the top of the 1st. They added two more on a double off the bat of Miguel Amaya in the 2nd to forge ahead 3-0.
Clay Holmes got the start and was decent early, allowing only an unearned run when Dansby Swanson made a throwing error trying to turn a double play in the bottom of the 3rd. The starter left the game after a single and a double put men on second and third for Boston with one out in the 5th.
Caleb Thielbar replaced Holmes and gave up a game-tying single to Adley Rutschman to even things up. The Sox moved ahead against Aaron Civale in the bottom of the 7th when Roman Anthony tripled and scored on a double from Connor Wong.
The Cubs did nothing against lefty Raymond Burgos, who pitched the final two innings to earn the save in a 4-3 victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
A hit by pitch and a walk put the first two batters on base for Chicago with the score tied in the top of the 7th. They eventually loaded the bases but failed to bring anyone home.
Why the Cubs Lost
The recent offensive issues continued with just three runs crossing the plate Friday.
Stats That Matter
- Holmes got a pretty quick hook and it did not work out: 4.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 K, and 3 BB.
- Remarkably, Alex Bregman was back in the lineup going hitless as the DH just five days after suffering multiple facial fractures.
- Michael Busch had a pair of hits and a walk.
- Matt Shaw singled and doubled.
Bottom Line
It’s increasingly likely the Cubs will be on the road in the playoffs, and they have no one to blame but themselves. They were in excellent shape to get home-field advantage before skidding in the final week of the season. Getting Bregman back could be very important because the lineup just doesn’t work without him.
On Deck
It’s a quick turnaround for the two teams with the second game of the doubleheader starting at 4:35pm CT.
