Chicago Cubs Score

Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/1/24): Cubs 7, Reds 5 – Seiya Slam, Dansby Dong Lead to Victory

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandJune 2, 2024

The Cubs and the Reds had to wait out a three hour and 20 minute rain delay before their game began Saturday night, and the conditions played havoc with both teams. After a crazy first couple of innings, things calmed down a bit and Chicago was able to pull out a badly-needed win thanks to a dramatic home run from the struggling Dansby Swanson.

Starter Justin Steele ran into problems in the top of the 2nd with a single, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases with one out. After a popup for the second out, the Cubs lefty appeared to escape the jam with a lazy fly ball to right off the bat of catcher Luke Maile. Instead, the ball clanged off the glove of right fielder Seiya Suzuki for an error and all three runners scored.

Stuart Fairchild followed with an RBI single and Cincinnati was ahead 4-0. In the bottom of the frame, Chicago was able to draw three walks off of Hunter Greene to fill the bags with two down for Suzuki. The would-be goat then channeled Lloyd Christmas and totally redeemed himself with a game-tying grand slam to left.

Nico Hoerner gave the North Siders a 5-4 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the 3rd. The Reds would tie the score immediately on a single from familiar face Jeimer Candelario in the 4th. Both bullpens did a nice job from there and the game remained deadlocked into the 8th.

In the bottom of that frame, Hoerner drew a walk against Lucas Sims to bring Swanson up with one out. The Cubs shortstop turned on an inside fastball and launched a go-ahead two-run bomb to left that put his team on top 7-5. Héctor Neris navigated around his requisite baserunner to record the save in the 9th for what was a huge victory. (Box score)

Key Moment

With the way things have been going recently, it felt like the disaster in the top of the 2nd was going to lead to an implosion. So it was huge for the whole team and, for Suzuki personally, to respond with the grand slam.

Why the Cubs Won

The bullpen did not allow a run in four innings of work, which was huge. They were able to score six runs via the home run, something that has been severely lacking of late.

Stats That Matter

  • Steele was actually very impressive pitching in horrible conditions and with getting let down by his defense: 5 IP, 5 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 5 K, and 4 BB.
  • Suzuki also tripled and is starting to drive the ball.
  • Hoerner had two walks in addition to the RBI single and scored a couple of runs.

Bottom Line

The Cubs desperately needed any kind of win they could get amid their current slump and this one was a mess but it fit the bill. They need to build on it and try to take the series and build up some momentum. It’s possible that this is one of those Pat Hughes branded turning point moments. For it to be one of those, however, you have to carry it over to the next day. Let’s see if that’s the case at Wrigley Sunday.

On Deck

There is a quick turnaround for the series finale Sunday at 1:20pm CT. Ben Brown takes the mound after his dominant outing in Milwaukee and faces lefty Nick Lodolo in a contest broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandJune 2, 2024
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