Cubs Defeat Guardians in Tuesday Night Matchup

CHICAGO: In a stellar performance, Matthew Boyd pitched seven solid innings, conceding just two runs, as the Chicago Cubs triumphed over the Cleveland Guardians with a 5-2 victory at Wrigley Field on Tuesday evening. Boyd’s strong outing helped the Cubs secure the win against his former team.

Carson Kelly made a significant contribution with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly, accumulating three RBIs. Michael Busch added to the offensive effort by going 3-for-3 and driving in a run, further solidifying the Cubs’ lead.

Boyd (8-3) displayed control, allowing five hits and issuing one walk, while also recording five strikeouts. This marked his sixth quality start in the last seven appearances and his team-leading 12th for the 2025 season.

Brad Keller of Chicago contributed a scoreless inning in the eighth, walking one and striking out one. Daniel Palencia closed out the game with a clean ninth inning, earning his ninth save.

Kelly’s two-run double highlighted the second inning, and he later added a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Seiya Suzuki contributed with a leadoff home run in the sixth.

The Cubs surged to an early 3-0 advantage in the second inning, capitalizing on four consecutive hits.

Cleveland initiated a comeback attempt in the fourth. Carlos Santana led off with a double, and after Lane Thomas walked, Santana scored on a single by Nolan Jones. Thomas then scored on Angel Martinez’s sacrifice fly to right field, narrowing the score to 3-2.

Suzuki extended the Cubs’ lead to two runs with a home run, launching a Gavin Williams pitch into the left field bleachers for his third of the season.

Williams (5-4), the Guardians’ pitcher, worked through five and two-thirds innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits and four walks, while managing two strikeouts.

Looking ahead, Guardians’ Tanner Bibee (4-8, 3.80 ERA) is scheduled to face Cubs’ Shota Imanaga (4-2, 2.54) in the upcoming game on Wednesday.