Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/6/26): Padres 3, Cubs 0 – Brown Wild in Shutout Loss
The Cubs traveled to Peoria to face the Padres in their first Cactus League game under the lights this spring. The road team struggled with the bats for most of the night and they suffered a shutout loss as a result.
Ben Brown got the start for Chicago and had major control issues, beginning with a bases-loaded walk to Gavin Sheets in the bottom of the 1st. San Diego expanded their lead to 3-0 in the 3rd on a Nick Castellanos RBI single and a wild pitch.
That would be it for the scoring on Friday as the Padres went on to a victory by that same 3-0 margin. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs fell behind quickly and that turned out to be the ballgame.
Why the Cubs Lost
The offense just couldn’t get anything going all night long.
Stats That Matter
- Brown had three walks and three strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work.
- Matt Shaw picked up two singles and a stolen base.
- Moisés Ballesteros also had a couple of knocks.
Bottom Line
Brown has all the stuff needed to be a very good major league starting pitcher if he can harness it. Unfortunately, too many games in 2025 went the way they did for the big righty on Friday. He is going to get some chances this season, so maybe he can seize the opportunity.
On Deck
The Cubs return to Sloan Park for a matchup against the Athletics on Saturday at 2:05pm CT. Shōta Imanaga is on the mound in a game that will be called by Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer on 104.3 FM The Score.
