Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/3/26): Cubs 8, D-Backs 4 – Busch Whacks Snakes to Complete Sweep
The Cubs stayed hot on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, scoring eight unanswered against the Diamondbacks. The avalanche of runs erased an early deficit and secured a three-game sweep for the home squad.
Catcher Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead with a two-run homer off of Matthew Boyd in the top of the 2nd inning. Chicago got one of them back against Merrill Kelly in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single by Carson Kelly.
The North Siders went in front on a two-run dinger by Moisés Ballesteros to the opposite field in the bottom of the 3rd. Boyd settled in after the homer, eventually making it through six innings for a quality start.
The Cubs loaded the bases against Kelly with nobody out in the bottom of the 5th, and Michael Busch at the plate. The powerful first baseman hit a line-drive smash into the right field corner for a three-run triple to make it a 6-2 score.
Chicago added two more against reliever Brandon Pfaadt in the bottom of the 7th with a sacrifice fly by Busch and a second run-scoring single by Carson Kelly. Arizona reduced the final margin when pinch-hitter Adrian Del Castillo hit a two-run homer off of Corbin Martin in the 9th, but the home team still won the game 8-4. (Box score)
Key Moment
The triple by Busch broke the one-run game wide open and the Diamondbacks never got that close again.
Why the Cubs Won
Plenty of offense and good starting pitching eliminated any potential stress on the bullpen and paved the way for a comfortable victory.
Stats That Matter
- Little bit of a shaky start for Boyd, but very good after that: 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 K, and 1 BB.
- Busch has been very hot with a double in addition to the triple and four RBI.
- Ballesteros got on base three more times with a single and a walk as well as the homer.
- Nico Hoerner was back in the lineup with two hits and an incredible double play.
Bottom Line
The Cubs’ lineup is so deep that anyone can do major damage at any position in the order. There truly are no easy outs with this group, and it’s brutal on opposing pitchers. The combination of that and above-average starting pitching makes Chicago a major challenge to anyone in the National League.
On Deck
The Reds come to Wrigley Field for a four-game series starting Monday at 6:40pm CT. Edward Cabrera faces off against Chase Petty in a matchup available on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
