Cade Horton Dominates Braves Again, Cubs Cruise to 6-1 Victory
Cade Horton has the Atlanta Braves shaking their heads once again, delivering a dominant 6 1/3 innings performance to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 6-1 victory on Tuesday. The win ties the three-game series at 2-2, with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run outing adding to the Cubs’ strong offensive effort.
The Cubs (82-63) snapped a three-game losing streak and now lead the season series 3-2 over the Braves (65-80). This victory also gives the Cubs a chance to clinch their first season series win over Atlanta since 2017.
Horton (10-4) was nearly flawless, allowing just one earned run on four hits. He struck out two, walked none, and threw 87 pitches, dropping his ERA to an impressive 2.70. His stellar performance against Atlanta came just a week after he threw five hitless innings in his last start, before being pulled due to pitch count restrictions.
"It feels great to help the team get back on track," Horton said after the game. "The Braves are a tough team, but I just focused on executing my pitches and staying in control. Pete (Crow-Armstrong) did an incredible job setting the tone, and the bullpen came through strong. We’re in a good place, but this is just one step. We’ve got more work to do."
The bullpen also played a crucial role, with Andrew Kittredge, Caleb Thielbar, and Ben Brown each contributing. Brown, celebrating his 26th birthday, closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning.
Crow-Armstrong was a standout performer for the Cubs, finishing 1-for-2 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and two stolen bases. He drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and added a solo run in the third with a hit of his own.
On the Braves’ side, Spencer Strider (5-13) suffered his fifth consecutive loss. Strider pitched six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts. Despite his solid strikeout performance, Strider was unable to keep the Cubs' offense in check.
The Braves did manage to close the gap to 2-1 in the third inning. Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the inning with a double, then scored on Jurickson Profar’s single to right field. That was the Braves’ first hit after two quick outs against Horton.
In the eighth inning, the Cubs put the game out of reach with a four-run rally. Alexis Diaz walked Dansby Swanson with the bases loaded, then Connor Seabold came in but allowed Matt Shaw to hit a two-RBI single to center, pushing the Cubs’ lead to 6-1. Shaw later scored when a throw from Michael Harris II sailed past third base.
With a strong performance from Horton and the bullpen, the Cubs are looking to keep the momentum going as they aim to finish strong in their series against the Braves.
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End of an era: Former Yankees star announces retirement from MLB after 14 seasons
It is a sad day across the world for Chicago Cubs fans. After 14 seasons in the major leagues, former Cubs and New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is retiring.
Rizzo will be retiring as a Cub on Saturday and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Also beginning Saturday, Rizzo is set to join Chicago's organization as an ambassador for the franchise.
Anthony Rizzo's Career Accomplishments
Rizzo spent nearly 10 of his 14 seasons with the Cubs, and his tenure there is among some of the best of all time. Rizzo was an All-Star three times, won four Gold Gloves and finished in the top five in MVP voting on two separate occasions. The biggest accomplishment of all, though, was no doubt being the man who caught the final out of the 2016 World Series and breaking the 108-year drought for Chicago.
What's next for Anthony Rizzo?
As we noted above, Rizzo will be celebrated on Saturday at Wrigley Field before he begins his role as an ambassador. Most Cubs fans would agree that there is no former player more perfect for that role than Rizzo.
Outside of the great Ryne Sandberg, Rizzo embodies what it means to play for such a proud organization more than anyone else has and maybe ever will. He will no doubt succeed in his new role with the organization, and it's fitting that he immediately went back home to the place that meant so much to his playing career.
