Cubs' Kyle Tucker slugs two homers in dominant victory against Angels
In a lopsided battle at the ballpark, the Chicago Cubs outshone the Los Angeles Angels, winning 12-1 on Saturday night.
The game started with Kyle Hendricks, a right-handed pitcher for the Angels, facing off against the Cubs. Hendricks entered the game with an ERA of 4.93, but the Cubs were relentless.
The Cubs made their mark early, with Kyle Tucker homering in the first inning. Tucker's powerful swing continued throughout the game, as he went on to hit two home runs and drive in five runs. This was Tucker's eighth multihomer game, and his first since May 2024 against the Angels with Houston.
Cade Horton, the Cubs' starting pitcher, shone brightly, pitching six scoreless innings and earning the win. The Cubs' offence was in full swing, with Reese McGuire hitting a grand slam in the fourth inning, giving the Cubs a commanding 6-0 lead.
The Angels managed to total eight hits in the game, but could only score one run. Jo Adell, who homered for the Angels, was the only player to break the Cubs' shutout bid, which ended in the seventh inning.
The Cubs' bats continued to sizzle, with Tucker scoring another run in the third inning, courtesy of a double by Michael Busch. Tucker then homered again in the sixth inning, making it 10-0 for the Cubs.
Despite Tucker's impressive performance, the spotlight was also on Reese McGuire, who tied a career high with five RBIs.
The Angels reinstated reliever Robert Stephenson from the 60-day injured list on Friday, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide in their favour. Victor Mederos and Carson Fulmer were charged with all 12 of the Cubs' runs in the game.
Mike Trout, the Angels' star player, had a quiet night, going 0 for 3 with three strikeouts, ending his 22-game on-base streak.
As the series continues, the Angels will look to bounce back when their right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks faces his former team on Sunday. Hendricks will be up against Cubs' right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon in a highly anticipated matchup.
Up next, the Cubs will look to extend their winning streak, having won seven out of their last nine games. The Cubs are currently 75-55 in the season, while the Angels are struggling at 61-68.
