Cubs Unleash Offensive Chaos in 9-2 Blowout — Are the Bats Finally Back for Good?.Y1

Cubs Explode for 18 Hits in 9-2 Rout Over A’s as Imanaga Shines with 11 Ks

CHICAGO — The Cubs may be clinging to the thinnest of postseason hopes, but on Monday night at Wrigley Field, they gave fans something to cheer for — and perhaps a small spark of belief.

Fueled by an 18-hit outburst — their most in any home game this season — Chicago cruised to a dominant 9-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics. And while the standings may say one thing, the box score painted a very different picture: a team still fighting, still flashing its potential, and still led by a rookie pitcher rewriting expectations.

It didn’t begin perfectly. Cubs starter Shōta Imanaga gave up a leadoff triple to Jacob Wilson — the first three-base hit he had allowed in his MLB career, after facing a staggering 642 batters. But just as quickly as things seemed to teeter, Imanaga settled in. He stranded the runner and didn’t blink. ( VIDEO)

In the bottom of the first, the Cubs’ offense went to work. After two quick outs, Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger knocked back-to-back singles. Then, Isaac Paredes brought Suzuki home with a sharp single of his own, setting the tone for what would be a relentless night at the plate.

Then came the second inning — and an avalanche.

Nico Hoerner led off with a single. Pete Crow-Armstrong laid down a perfect bunt and beat the throw. Two pitches later, Miguel Amaya drove in Hoerner. Ian Happ followed with a line-drive RBI single to score PCA. Then, Dansby Swanson unleashed a towering fly ball to left that just cleared the basket for a three-run homer.

In the span of just nine pitches, the Cubs had scored five runs without making a single out. And just like that, it was 6-0 — their most explosive inning in weeks. For perspective: in their previous three home games combined, they had scored just two runs total.

After a walk and a two-run homer by Brent Rooker in the third cut the lead to 6-2, Imanaga responded like a seasoned ace, striking out the next three batters with precision and poise. He would finish with a career-high 11 strikeouts over six innings — also a season high for any Cubs pitcher in 2024.

But the Cubs weren’t done yet.

In the bottom of the third, Hoerner walked, PCA doubled, and Amaya delivered again with a run-scoring single. Then Swanson picked up his fourth RBI of the night, singling home PCA to stretch the lead to 8-2.

By the fourth inning, Bellinger added more electricity, legging out a triple to right. Paredes followed with another RBI single — his third hit of the game — and the Cubs were in full control at 9-2.

Imanaga exited after six stellar innings, allowing just five hits and striking out 11 without a walk. He now owns a sparkling 22-6 record in Cubs starts and is building a legitimate case for NL Rookie of the Year consideration. While Paul Skenes may still be the frontrunner, the Cubs’ Japanese import has been nothing short of sensational.

After the offensive explosion, the Cubs’ bats cooled over the final five innings, managing only three hits. But thanks to effective bullpen work from Trey Wingenter and Jack Neely, the A’s never got close. Neely, in particular, impressed by shaking off a rocky start to the ninth and retiring three straight to close it out.

A quirky note: Eight of the nine Cubs starters recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run. The only exception? Michael Busch, who — ironically — was just named NL Player of the Week.

Baseball, as they say, has a sense of humor.

After the game, manager Craig Counsell praised the team’s balanced approach and credited Imanaga’s sharp command and mental toughness. “He kept attacking, even after giving up the triple and the homer,” Counsell said. “That’s who he is — he’s a competitor.”

This win marked the Cubs’ third straight and sets up a chance for a rare midseason sweep. They’ll send Jordan Wicks to the mound Tuesday evening in Game 2 of the series, with Mitch Spence starting for the A’s. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT on Marquee Sports Network.

For a season that’s been equal parts frustration and flashes of brilliance, Monday night reminded everyone what this team can look like when everything clicks.

And who knows — maybe there’s still a little magic left in Wrigley.