Nico Hoerner and the Cubs beat the D-backs in 11th inning of Major League Baseball

In a thrilling showdown at Phoenix, the Chicago Cubs emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighted by Nico Hoerner’s pivotal contributions. Hoerner’s daring dash from second base on a wild pitch in the ninth inning tied the game before he delivered the go-ahead single in the 11th, securing the Cubs’ third consecutive win.

Michael Busch continued his remarkable performance by homering in his fifth consecutive game, matching the Cubs’ franchise record shared by legends such as Hack Wilson, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, and Christopher Morel. With Hoerner and Garrett Cooper also contributing two hits each, the Cubs showcased their offensive prowess and resilience on the road.

While Jake McCarthy provided an RBI single for the Diamondbacks in the second inning, Arizona struggled to generate offense against the Cubs’ pitching staff. Corbin Carroll added a run-scoring single in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cubs’ determined effort.

Keegan Thompson secured the win for the Cubs with two scoreless innings on the mound, while Bryce Jarvis suffered the loss for the Diamondbacks in a hard-fought contest.

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Kansas City Royals Blank Chicago White Sox

On the road in Chicago, the Kansas City Royals delivered a dominant performance, shutting out the struggling White Sox with a 2-0 victory. Seth Lugo led the charge with seven shutout innings, limiting the White Sox to just four singles while James McArthur sealed the win with his third save of the season.

Vinnie Pasquantino played a pivotal role in the Royals’ offensive effort, homering and doubling to provide the necessary run support for Lugo’s stellar outing. The loss marked the 14th defeat in 16 games for the White Sox, marking the worst start in the franchise’s lengthy history. Despite a solid debut from Nick Nastrini, who allowed just two runs over five innings, the White Sox couldn’t muster enough offense to overcome the Royals’ pitching and defensive prowess.

Atlanta Braves Secure Victory Over Houston Astros

In a showdown at Houston, the Atlanta Braves secured a 6-1 victory over the Astros, propelled by a strong bullpen performance and a late offensive surge. Four Atlanta relievers combined for 4 1/3 shutout innings to preserve a one-run lead, with Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, A.J. Minter, and Jesse Chavez holding the Astros at bay.

The Braves’ offense came alive in the ninth inning, as Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris II all contributed runs to seal the victory. Despite a solid start from Astros’ Spencer Arrighetti, who allowed just two runs over four innings, Houston couldn’t contain the Braves’ late-game surge, resulting in the loss.

Cleveland Guardians Secure Road Victory Over Boston Red Sox

In a road matchup against the Boston Red Sox, the Cleveland Guardians emerged victorious with a commanding 6-0 win, highlighted by Will Brennan’s pinch-hit, two-run homer in the seventh inning. Brennan’s clutch performance, combined with strong pitching from Xzavion Curry and Tim Herrin, propelled the Guardians to victory over the Red Sox.

Curry limited the Red Sox to just two hits over five innings before Herrin delivered two hitless innings in relief. Despite the return of Rafael Devers to the Red Sox lineup after a four-game absence due to a shoulder injury, Boston struggled to generate offense against the Guardians’ pitching staff.

Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino suffered the loss after giving up a single to Josh Naylor, setting the stage for Brennan’s decisive home run. The Guardians’ victory showcased their resilience and ability to execute under pressure on the road.