Cubs Walk-Off Victory
Seiya Suzuki's Game-Ending Single Secures Walk-Off Victory for Cubs Over Padres 3-2
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Seiya Suzuki drilled a walk-off single off Mason Miller in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday night, lifting the Chicago Cubs past the San Diego Padres 3-2 at Wrigley Field. The hit scored Pete Crow-Armstrong from third and gave Chicago its 10th walk-off win of the 2026 season, the most in the Major Leagues, according to AP News.
The Cubs trailed 2-0 heading into the fourth inning before clawing back to force extras. It was a game of near-misses, clutch hits, and one very close play at the ivy-covered wall in left field.
Padres Build a Lead, Cubs Fight Back
San Diego struck first in the third inning. Xander Bogaerts scored on a Fernando Tatis Jr. fielder's choice to put the Padres up 1-0, according to KNBR. Then in the fourth, Bogaerts doubled home Miguel Andújar — who finished the night with three hits — to push the lead to 2-0.
The Cubs responded immediately. In the bottom of the fourth, Michael Conforto singled home Suzuki to cut the deficit to 2-1. Then in the fifth, Suzuki lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Dansby Swanson. The game was tied at 2-2, according to NBC Sports.
Imanaga Steadies the Ship for Six-Plus Innings
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga was the unsung story of the night. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing 9 hits and 2 earned runs while walking no one and striking out four. Houston Chronicle noted it was his first quality start since May 13 — a "sorely needed" outing after Chicago burned through seven pitchers in a single game in Milwaukee just 48 hours earlier.
Trent Thornton, called up from Triple-A Iowa on May 6, worked the ninth inning and earned the win. He now holds a 1.69 ERA on the season, a run that NBC Sports described as "exceptional." In the top of the ninth, Thornton got out of trouble when catcher Miguel Amaya gunned down Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to steal second base.
The Wild Ninth: Swanson Thrown Out, Suzuki Wins It
The bottom of the ninth was chaotic. Dansby Swanson led off with an infield single against Jason Adam. Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with a hit of his own — part of a 4-for-4 night that had Wrigley Field rocking with PCA chants, according to Bleacher Nation. San Diego brought in closer Mason Miller, who entered the game with a 0.79 ERA and 21 saves, to face Alex Bregman.
Bregman singled to center to load the bases. Then Michael Busch hit a shallow fly to left. Swanson tried to tag and score but was thrown out at the plate by outfielder Jase Bowen. Two outs, two runners on. Suzuki then drove a slider deep to left. Bowen leaped for a catch at the ivy wall — but the ball got by him. Crow-Armstrong scored the winning run, according to AP News.
Miller's Rare Slip and What Comes Next for Both Teams
The loss was a rare stumble for Miller, one of baseball's most dominant closers. The Padres have now dropped three straight games and sit at 43-40 on the season, per OSEN. Questions about Miller's workload are growing, and East Village Times reported that a move to the starting rotation later in 2026 is being discussed internally.
For Chicago, the win pushed their record to 40-37. The Cubs have won seven of their last eight games and are eyeing a Wild Card spot as the July trade deadline approaches. The two teams return Tuesday, with San Diego sending JP Sears (1-0, 3.18 ERA) against Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, according to Houston Chronicle.
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