The Atlanta Braves pulled off a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at the legendary Wrigley Field. Despite the sweltering 100-degree weather, the Braves showcased a strong performance, improving their season record to 63-77 and holding their fourth position in the NL East. Meanwhile, the Cubs, with an 80-60 record, maintained their second place in the NL Central.
The game remained scoreless in the opening frames, setting a tense tone for both sides. The Cubs were the first to break through, tallying a run in the second inning, but that would be their only scoring success for the evening. The Braves were patient, waiting until the seventh inning to unleash their scoring prowess.
Seventh Inning Surge
In the seventh inning, the Braves lineup came alive, racking up four runs to turn the game on its head. The offensive explosion was led by key contributions from Ozzie Albies and Hyun Kim. Albies went 2-for-4, including a solo homer, while Kim added a crucial three-run blast.
The Braves padded their lead with an additional run in the eighth inning, courtesy of Nick Alvarez Jr.’s RBI single. Alvarez Jr.’s performance underscored the depth of the Braves’ batting order as he went 1-for-3 with a walk. The Cubs’ pitching struggled to contain the Braves, particularly in the later innings.
Pitching Prowess
On the mound, Bryce Elder was exceptional for the Braves, pitching seven innings and allowing only four hits with no earned runs. Elder struck out six Cubs batters, improving his record to 6-9 with a 5.54 ERA. His performance set the stage for relievers Tyler Kinley and Raisel Iglesias to shut down the Cubs in the final frames.
Kinley and Iglesias combined for two innings of hitless relief, with Iglesias working around two walks in the ninth. The Braves’ bullpen ensured that the Cubs couldn’t mount a comeback, sealing the win with ease.
Cubs’ Struggles
For the Cubs, Ben Brown took the loss after giving up two runs in the seventh inning, bringing his record to 5-8. His ERA now sits at 5.98, reflecting his inconsistency this season. The usually reliable Cubs offense was uncharacteristically silent, mustering only four hits throughout the game.
While Cody Horton delivered a solid start with five scoreless innings and six strikeouts, the Cubs’ bullpen faltered under pressure. Drew Pomeranz and Taylor Rogers struggled to contain the Braves’ seventh-inning surge.
Offensively, Willi Castro was the lone Cub to drive in a run, while Ian Happ registered one of the team’s four hits. The Cubs will need to regroup and refocus as they look to maintain their strong positioning in the division.
Looking Ahead
The Braves will return to Truist Park for a series against the Seattle Mariners, hoping to build momentum from this victory. Their upcoming schedule offers a chance to improve their home record, which currently stands at 33-33. Meanwhile, the Cubs will remain at home to face the Washington Nationals, aiming to rebound and fortify their standing in the NL Central.
Overall, the game highlighted the Braves’ tenacity and ability to capitalize on key opportunities. The Cubs, despite their current impressive record, face a crucial juncture as they navigate through the final stretch of the regular season.
